Okaaaay this was cute and not really what I was expecting! Though I'm not even sure <i>what</i> I was expecting in the first place. 

Cheer Up features two former friends, grumpy goth Annie and recently transitioned girl Bebe as they navigate changes in their lives, rekindle their friendship, and find ways to learn how to be strong outside of the boxes they and the world have stuffed themselves into.

At first, I thought I would dislike Annie's abrasive attitude, but she (and her mom!) quickly won me over as she joined the cheer squad and became friends with Bebe. I was also apprehensive about Bebe's storyline with her parents, but that resolved nicely. 

This graphic novel is perfect for young teens who are looking for queer works to relate to or learn more from. It's wholesome, but still deals with ideas and themes like standing up for yourself, building friendships, and stretching the idea of who you are to see if you can try out new things and be more. 

Trigger warnings do include sexual harassment and transphobia, and they are dealt with in what feel like healthy ways that can teach young teens to stand up for themselves.