content warnings: bullying, dismissive attitudes towards a characters' identity
representation: transgender main character

@ anyone saying that this book had a "tOo HapPy EnDiNg because it's uNrEaLiStIc" fuck off, lgbtq+ kids are allowed happy endings!!

Had to get that out the way because I've seen some reviews that annoyed me. I loved this book so much. It was adorable! All the main characters were so great. I loved that Alex Gino showed a variety of reactions to characters finding out about Melissa (Kelly being excited, Scott being indifferent, her mum being confused, etc.) but never showed any outright hate. There are bullies in the book, but they just think she's weird and their bullying isn't specifically related to her being transgender.

The ending was so wonderful I had actual tears in my eyes. And the audiobook was great, too. Jamie Clayton was so good at acting it out, and I love that they got a trans actress to do the narration. I hope that every kid gets to read this, whether to help them understand their identity or to help them understand someone else's.