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adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Dysphoria
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Totally bummed this didn't win the Newberry! But it well deserves every other award it won this year. Despite the fact that this is a very tiny book, it manages to tell a well rounded story about a kid overcoming grief, reconciling with gender identity, and doing a bit of ghost hunting.
And no bias here, but it was written by a Queens College library school alum too, go knights!
And no bias here, but it was written by a Queens College library school alum too, go knights!
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief
Moderate: Dysphoria
Minor: Death of parent
This is a beautiful book. I had no idea this book even existed before. I was just looking for something to read not knowing what I was getting into. Just wow. Jax Jackson is a great narrator and I highly recommend listening. With the audiobook (as an added benefit) you also get to hear the author’s note at the end.
It’s a beautiful story about ghosts and a kid who grieves the loss of his uncle and starts picking up clues that a ghost leaves behind while also trying to piece together his own identity. An important read that felt so personal and close to the heart.
It’s a beautiful story about ghosts and a kid who grieves the loss of his uncle and starts picking up clues that a ghost leaves behind while also trying to piece together his own identity. An important read that felt so personal and close to the heart.
Private user's review
If you need me I will be crying
Private user's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A great ghost story and an even better coming of age story!
Audiobook Review
Overall 4 stars
Performance 4 stars
Story 4 stars
This was a beautiful and refreshing trans coming out middle grade novel. The premise of the story was very unique and though there is a creepy/ghost story feel, it wasn't scary. There are sad moments, but Too Bright to See addressed grief in a really thoughtful and heartfelt way. Losing a loved one is never easy and I thought this storyline wove together so wonderfully with the main character figuring out who they are. The narration by Jax Jackson was really well done and packed quite the emotional punch. Bug's touching and uplifting journey should not be missed!
CW: death of loved one (terminal illness), grief
*I listened to a review copy of this book*
Overall 4 stars
Performance 4 stars
Story 4 stars
This was a beautiful and refreshing trans coming out middle grade novel. The premise of the story was very unique and though there is a creepy/ghost story feel, it wasn't scary. There are sad moments, but Too Bright to See addressed grief in a really thoughtful and heartfelt way. Losing a loved one is never easy and I thought this storyline wove together so wonderfully with the main character figuring out who they are. The narration by Jax Jackson was really well done and packed quite the emotional punch. Bug's touching and uplifting journey should not be missed!
CW: death of loved one (terminal illness), grief
*I listened to a review copy of this book*
Much like May the Best Man Win this is a book I wish I had when I was younger. I saw so much of myself in Bug as a young trans boy who didn't know I was a trans boy, and so struggled to be feminine (and subsequently struggled to fit in and relate to my much for feminine female friends).
I loved how this book explored dysphoria through haunting, because being trans and not knowing it is almost like being haunted by yourself, be it who you believe you are not feeling real or there being some nebulous idea of who you could be that you just can't quite define. I especially like that Bug was specifically being haunted by his gay drag queen uncle, who died before he could help Bug realize that he might actually be trans and so decided to help him from beyond the grave.
Bug also has a moment where he realizes that he might actually not mind being more feminine (having longer hair, wearing makeup) now that he knows he's a boy in part because the other queer presence in his life was a GNC man. This also meant so much to me because I have also gone through the process of becoming more comfortable and learning that I can be feminine now that I know I'm a guy and present myself as such (although I went through it much later in life, much longer after I transitioned). I'm so glad that Bug knows that now because of his uncle, and is letting himself continue to grow into his masculinity and not restrict himself to a rigidly defined (cis, straight) masculinity (especially since he might not to straight- he thinks a boy he befriends is cute).
Overall, I absolutely loved this story, and I wish that I had this when I was this age. I hope that there are fifth and sixth graders who get this book and realize that there are other options.
I loved how this book explored dysphoria through haunting, because being trans and not knowing it is almost like being haunted by yourself, be it who you believe you are not feeling real or there being some nebulous idea of who you could be that you just can't quite define. I especially like that Bug was specifically being haunted by his gay drag queen uncle, who died before he could help Bug realize that he might actually be trans and so decided to help him from beyond the grave.
Bug also has a moment where he realizes that he might actually not mind being more feminine (having longer hair, wearing makeup) now that he knows he's a boy in part because the other queer presence in his life was a GNC man. This also meant so much to me because I have also gone through the process of becoming more comfortable and learning that I can be feminine now that I know I'm a guy and present myself as such (although I went through it much later in life, much longer after I transitioned). I'm so glad that Bug knows that now because of his uncle, and is letting himself continue to grow into his masculinity and not restrict himself to a rigidly defined (cis, straight) masculinity (especially since he might not to straight- he thinks a boy he befriends is cute).
Overall, I absolutely loved this story, and I wish that I had this when I was this age. I hope that there are fifth and sixth graders who get this book and realize that there are other options.