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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Pants Project in Books
Feb 13, 2018
Liv (Olivia) was born a girl, but knows in his heart that he's a boy. But this realization isn't easy for a kid entering middle school, which can be a heartless place for anyone. What complicates things for Liv is a move to a new school, which brings a stringent dress code: girls must wear skirts. No exceptions. Whatsoever. Liv knows in his heart that he's a boy, but the school system (and kids at school) don't see it that way. Liv is already dealing with enough, but now he feels uncomfortable everyday in his school clothes. It also doesn't help that his best friend is dropping him for a group of mean-spirited bullies who bully Liv on a daily basis. But Liv perseveres and comes up with an idea: Operation Pants Project. Liv is going to get this uniform dress code overturned, no matter what.
This is an excellent YA novel that draws you in immediately. I found the storyline to be interesting from the very beginning, and it never wavered. Liv is a wonderful, amazing, resilient young man, and I loved him from the moment I met him. Liv's story is heartbreaking at times, but also very poignant. I see this tale as a must-read for transgender kids, but also all middle school kids, as it offers a wonderful chance to teach empathy. But, seriously, just having this story, and the way Liv expresses his thoughts on being transgender is so key. Yes, a lot of the story is probably a tad simplified, but still. It's just so refreshing to see this in book form.
Liv also has same-sex parents (two mothers) for which he is teased at school, which breaks my heart (being part of a same-sex marriage and having two young daughters). So much of the story hurts your heart at times and makes you just despair how much young kids have to go through at school. Liv meets a new friend in middle school, Jacob, and in reading this book, I just hope that the world continues to be filled with more Liv and Jacobs: it will make it a better place for sure. (I also enjoyed that Clarke seemed to insert an inside joke about how awful and cliche lesbian films can be!)
Overall, I loved this book, and I wish it was on the shelves of every middle school (and high school) -heck all libraries and bookstores-- everywhere! Huge portions of it make you smile, and you will find yourself just rooting for plucky, wonderful Liv and his spirit. There's a great sappy message in this book that I wish everyone could read in these troubled times. Liv has a wonderful sense of humor, and Clarke's writing is perfect for the targeted age group. I do think a great deal is this book is probably a little simplified (not all parents may be as supportive of Liv, for instance), but the bullying aspects at school are spot-on. Just seeing a transgender "tween" in print is great. I would like to see a list of support resources at the end of the book (and I just read an ARC, so it's not the final version) for those who do not have the same support system as Liv. Yes, this book goes a long way toward showing acceptance, but it's not as easy for everyone. I certainly hope it inspires kids to treat everyone equally: it's an important message. I definitely recommend this wonderful novel for kids and adults alike.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!); it is available everywhere as of 03/01/2017.
This is an excellent YA novel that draws you in immediately. I found the storyline to be interesting from the very beginning, and it never wavered. Liv is a wonderful, amazing, resilient young man, and I loved him from the moment I met him. Liv's story is heartbreaking at times, but also very poignant. I see this tale as a must-read for transgender kids, but also all middle school kids, as it offers a wonderful chance to teach empathy. But, seriously, just having this story, and the way Liv expresses his thoughts on being transgender is so key. Yes, a lot of the story is probably a tad simplified, but still. It's just so refreshing to see this in book form.
Liv also has same-sex parents (two mothers) for which he is teased at school, which breaks my heart (being part of a same-sex marriage and having two young daughters). So much of the story hurts your heart at times and makes you just despair how much young kids have to go through at school. Liv meets a new friend in middle school, Jacob, and in reading this book, I just hope that the world continues to be filled with more Liv and Jacobs: it will make it a better place for sure. (I also enjoyed that Clarke seemed to insert an inside joke about how awful and cliche lesbian films can be!)
Overall, I loved this book, and I wish it was on the shelves of every middle school (and high school) -heck all libraries and bookstores-- everywhere! Huge portions of it make you smile, and you will find yourself just rooting for plucky, wonderful Liv and his spirit. There's a great sappy message in this book that I wish everyone could read in these troubled times. Liv has a wonderful sense of humor, and Clarke's writing is perfect for the targeted age group. I do think a great deal is this book is probably a little simplified (not all parents may be as supportive of Liv, for instance), but the bullying aspects at school are spot-on. Just seeing a transgender "tween" in print is great. I would like to see a list of support resources at the end of the book (and I just read an ARC, so it's not the final version) for those who do not have the same support system as Liv. Yes, this book goes a long way toward showing acceptance, but it's not as easy for everyone. I certainly hope it inspires kids to treat everyone equally: it's an important message. I definitely recommend this wonderful novel for kids and adults alike.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!); it is available everywhere as of 03/01/2017.
AT (1676 KP) rated Nabari No Ou - Book 1 in Books
Aug 27, 2018
Nabari No Ou is a manga series about a middle school-aged boy that finds out that he holds a very sought-after secret power of a hidden ninja realm. While the book does contain some bloody and violent scenes, it also provides a look at school life, and plenty of humor. It's serious with a humorous overtone. The art is cute, and the book is pretty quick to read. However, you'll want to spend a little time studying the action in some of the drawings so that you don't miss what's going on. I wasn't sure what to expect from this manga, but I've been pleasantly surprised! It's definitely worth a read.
The Trespassing of Souls (Seb Thomas #1)
10.0
Rate It
Book
An ogre, a leaf-covered boy and teachers who are able to appear anywhere through magical doorways!...
Young_Adult Fantasy
mmb02191 (81 KP) rated I am Number Four (Lorien Legacies #1) in Books
May 29, 2018
Subpar writing (2 more)
First person point of view
Angsty/whiny characters
Seemed like a good premise
I really wanted to like this book. It sounded like it would be good, the story sounds very interesting. However, I just couldn't look past how annoyingly it was written. I read a lot of YA novels because I am a middle school teacher, but this was definitely one of the worst. I couldn't get more than halfway through.
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated RES-Q Tyler Stop (Tyler Stop, #1) in Books
Feb 23, 2021
I think this book was great !
The main characters are sweet, they have to deal with real life problems (which would be good conversation starters) and they have hearts to save all different types of animals! I would definitely recommend reading it for middle school grade kids because of the length.
I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feed back from Just Read Tours. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
The main characters are sweet, they have to deal with real life problems (which would be good conversation starters) and they have hearts to save all different types of animals! I would definitely recommend reading it for middle school grade kids because of the length.
I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feed back from Just Read Tours. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
MS
Managing School Absenteeism at Multiple Tiers: An Evidence-Based and Practical Guide for Professionals
Book
School absenteeism is a pervasive and difficult problem faced by mental health and school-based...
Ruth Frampton (577 KP) rated Atlas of Dinosaur Adventures: Step Into a Prehistoric World in Books
Apr 10, 2018
Short and to the point, each pair of pages give an introduction to a dinosaur, Aimed at middle school due to the level of information the younger reader may find this a little bewildering, however, for the child that specialises in their dinosaur knowledge you may find it all too easy. Each to their own, look at it and decide. It's a well-illustrated and informative book with comical additions to engage the reader's interest and keep everything light and enjoyable.
Dragon Drive, Vol. 1
8.0
Rate It
Book
A high school boy that's not good at any one thing tries his hand at a high-tech virtual reality...
Dave Eggers recommended Raising Victor Vargas (2003) in Movies (curated)
Boku no Hīrō Akademi, My Hero Academia
7.8
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TV Show Watch
On an Earth-like world where people with superpowers known as "Quirks" (個性 Kosei) are the norm,...
Anime Boku no Hīrō Akademi My Hero Academia Kohei Horikoshi