Category Archives: Book Review and Content

Review: Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day by Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett

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Trans History: A Graphic Novel: From Ancient History to the Present Day by Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett

Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day
Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett
Candlewick Press
Published May 13, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day

An essential introduction to trans history, from ancient times to the present day, in full-color graphic nonfiction format. Deeply researched, highly readable, and featuring a broad range of voices.

What does “trans” mean, and what does it mean to be trans? Diversity in human sex and gender is not a modern phenomenon, as readers will discover through illustrated stories and records that introduce historical figures ranging from the controversial Roman emperor Elagabalus to the swashbuckling seventeenth-century conquistador Antonio de Erauso to veterans of the Stonewall uprising Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera.

In addition to these individual profiles, the book explores some of the societal roles played by trans people beginning in ancient times and shows how European ideas about gender were spread across the globe. It explains how the science of sexology and the growing acceptance of (and backlash to) gender nonconformity have helped to shape what it means to be trans today. Illustrated conversations with modern activists, scholars, and creatives highlight the breadth of current trans experiences and give readers a deeper sense of the diversity of trans people, a group numbering in the millions. Extensive source notes provide further resources.

Moving, funny, heartbreaking, and empowering, this remarkable compendium from trans creators Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett is packed with research on every dynamic page.

My Review

I’m so impressed with this book. The authors do a wonderful job presenting historical information and clarifying the trustworthiness (or lack of trustworthiness) of their sources. Each chapter ends with a few questions in thought bubbles that invite readers to further digest the content and/or add context. For example, at the end of the first chapter on the ancient world, one thought bubble poses the question, “Why do certain stories from history get repeated over and over, while others are not remembered at all?” At the end of chapter two, which explores information about gender nonconforming people in European history, a thought bubble asks, “Why are some people given more freedom to transgress gender norms while others are given less?”

Throughout the book, the authors carefully qualify and contextualize the biographical information they share. An authors’ note at the beginning of the book clarifies that neither of the authors is a historian, so they stuck to the most well-known and documented research. They are careful to note that the individuals profiled in the book may not have identified themselves as transgender, but they focus on highlighting the ways that these people subverted or defied the gender norms of their time. The life stories they highlight are extremely compelling. The book well-establishes the truth that people have existed outside a rigid gender binary throughout the world and all of human history.

It might be tempting to think that because this book uses a graphic novel format that the information is thin or scattered throughout the pages. Combs and Eakett do a fabulous job creating dynamic panels packed with information. I sometimes went back and read a section multiple times. The information was clear, but there was so much that I wanted to remember.

Conclusion

Whatever topic this team takes on next, I’m absolutely here for it. They’ve cracked the code on creating well-balanced, informative and entertaining nonfiction in a graphic novel format. The book will be extremely accessible to teens both because of the age-appropriate way the authors present the content and the compelling presentation.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
A few of the statements in the last chapter include swear words with an asterisk replacing some of the letters.

Romance/Sexual Content
References to romantic relationships. Reference to sex workers. Some information on the historical advancements of gender-affirming medical care.

Spiritual Content
References to a faith leader. References to spiritual beliefs.

Violent Content
References to political assassination. Reference to homophobia and police violence directed at LGBTQIA+ people. One interviewee in the last chapter makes a reference to murder (Specifically, reference to the fact that members of the trans community are more likely to experience violence/murder.). References to a person’s death by suicide. (Not shown in any way.)

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Witchwood by Kalyn Josephson

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Witchwood (Ravenfall #3)
Kalyn Josephson
Delacorte Press
Published October 1, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Witchwood

The third book in the “spellbinding” (Kirkus Reviews) Ravenfall series follows Anna and Colin, two kids with supernatural powers, into the magical town of Witchwood, where local witches have gone missing—and Anna might be next.

Everything is changing at Ravenfall, the magical inn that best friends Anna Ballinkay and Colin Pierce call home. The leaves are turning golden, the air is as crisp as a harvest apple, and Anna’s older twin sisters are leaving for college… but at least Anna and Colin have finally reunited after a summer apart, just in time for a new magical mission.

When their mission is interrupted by a mysterious attack that forces them to seek shelter, Anna and Colin head to Witchwood, a spooky lakeside town where magic doesn’t have to be hidden. Anna is excited to reunite with her aunt and cousin, who she hopes might teach her more about Jewish magic—except her cousin seems to hate her. Especially once Anna realizes that she’s a witch, just like them.But rude cousins are the least of their problems, because they soon discover that witches are going missing in Witchwood. And if Anna and Colin can’t stop whatever sinister force is making them disappear, Anna could be the next target…

My Review

I’ve had a great time reading this series. Witchwood is the third book in the Ravenfall series, and the first one in which most of the story takes place away from Anna’s sentient house/inn. This time, she and Colin end up visiting Anna’s aunt and cousin who live in an entirely magical town called Witchwood.

Anna has a lot to learn about the traditions and magic from her dad’s side of the family. Learning these things helps her make sense of her identity in a new way, but it doesn’t always come easily. Her relationship with her cousin is especially challenging, and it takes Anna a long time to understand the reasons why.

The story alternates between Anna and Colin’s perspectives, so we also learn more about Colin’s fear of being on his own and his uncertainty about his abilities, especially the life magic that sets him apart from other members of the Ravenguard.

The story emphasizes having confidence in one’s abilities and balancing that with building and depending on a supportive community. I loved the way the story balanced those two elements and the humorous moments between Max (the cat who is not a cat), Anna, and Colin kept things light.

I’m really excited to read the fourth book in the series, Ravenguard, which comes out this September.

Readers who enjoy contemporary fantasy that’s heavy on the fantasy elements will find lots to love here. Bonus if you love books with cats in them.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
It’s clear that two characters have a crush on one another.

Spiritual Content
Anna learns more about her Jewish heritage, including holiday celebrations and traditions. Some characters have the ability to perform magic. Magical creatures, such as jabberwockies and kelpies exist in the story.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Brief battle scenes. Kidnapping of a parent.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I borrowed a copy of this book from the library. All opinions are my own.

MMGM Review: North of Tomboy by Julie A. Swanson

Book Review and Content, Historical, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , ,

North of Tomboy
Julie A. Swanson
SparkPress
Published September 2, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About North of Tomboy

For fans of Kacen Callender, Lin Thompson, and Kyle Lukoff, comes a middle grade novel set in 1973 about a child who feels more boy than girl and is frustrated that people act blind to that when—aside for her stupid hair and clothes—it should be obvious!

Shy fourth grader Jess Jezowski turns the tables on her mom when she’s given yet another girly baby doll for Christmas. This time, instead of ignoring or destroying it, she transforms it into the boy she’s always wanted to be—a brave, funny little guy named Mickey. Making him talk, Jess finally lets the boy in her express himself.

But when Mickey evolves to become something more like an alter ego whose voice drowns out her own and the secret of him escapes the safety of her family, Jess realizes Mickey’s too limited and doesn’t allow the boy part of her a big enough presence in the world. She must find a way to blend him into her—so she can be that side of herself anywhere, around anyone.

Jess tries to wean herself from the crutch of Mickey’s loud, comical persona, and to get her family to forget about him, but she struggles to do both. What will it take for her to stop hiding behind Mickey and get people to see her for who she truly is? Based on the author’s experience growing up on Michigan’s rural Leelanau Peninsula in the ’70s, North of Tomboy includes artwork throughout.

My Review

I read a review of North of Tomboy a few weeks ago on Always in the Middle. I think he made a lot of good points about the book. He noted the length being a little bit long for the type of story this is, and I’d agree. It’s the kind of book that makes you laugh, but makes you think right along with the main character. Some elements of the book feel more like a coming of age story than a middle grade novel, but the voice is solidly middle grade. Jess really feels like a nine-year-old kid. Lots of times her ideas about what’s happening are imperfect, or she accidentally stumbles onto a solution that works. For example, she realizes the family listens to Mickey differently than they listen to her. That kind of thinking reminded me a lot of myself as a kid.

I also appreciated how nuanced the family members are. Jess is one of four kids in a closeknit family. She’s closest to her youngest sister, Lucy, but often wants to do the things her older brothers are doing. Her mom navigates difficult situations with Jess’s dad in a way that Jess struggles to understand. She also constructs a lot of rules about Jess’s appearance, requiring her to dress and act “like a girl.” Though those things are hurtful and make Jess feel unheard and unseen, Jess appreciates her mom’s emotional honesty about family matters.

The 1970s setting is interesting, too. Politics and historical events don’t intrude into the story too much. The references to the Nixon administration and the Vietnam war help anchor the story in the time period.

Throughout the story, Jess expresses her frustration about the expectations she faces as a child assigned female at birth. The story doesn’t center around her labeling herself, but simply her resourcefulness at finding ways to express who she is. Her quest to be comfortable in her own skin really resonates.

Conclusion

Kids who don’t identify with gender conventions, whether they identify as LGBTQIA+ or simply don’t fit gender stereotypes, will find a kindred spirit in Jess. Readers interested in historical fiction set in 20th century America will find the Michigan setting and 1970s timeline engaging.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 to 14.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used very infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
References to attending church and prayer. Jess worries that she’ll go to Hell if she dies before finishing her prayers and asking forgiveness for her sins each night.

Violent Content
Jess takes risks a couple of times. She winds up seriously injured once.

Drug Content
Jess’s dad drinks a beer after work sometimes. His father was an alcoholic, something the family doesn’t talk about.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday

I’m sharing this post as a part of a weekly round-up of middle-grade posts called Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday. Check out other blogs with posts about middle-grade books today on Marvelous Middle-Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle.

Review: Guardians of Dawn: Yuli by S. Jae-Jones

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Guardians of Dawn: Yuli (Guardians of Dawn #3)
S. Jae-Jones
Wednesday Books
Published August 19, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Guardians of Dawn: Yuli

Princess Yulana has a few problems. Her late grandfather has died without naming an heir, civil war threatens to tear the Morning Realms apart, a strange waking dreamer sickness is sweeping through the land, and a plague of hungry ghosts roam the steppes. On top of all of that, Kho, her former best friend turned rival, is getting under her skin. A struggle for power divides the north, and the outcome rests on the winner of the Grand Game―a competition that will determine not just the future of her people, but the course of the entire empire.

When the world is out of balance, the Guardians of Dawn are reborn.

As the Guardian of Wind, it is Yuli’s responsibility to bring order to chaos, along with the Guardian of Fire and the Guardian of Wood. But can she restore balance to the Morning Realms when she can’t even win the political games being played at home? The fate of the Morning Realms depends on the Guardians of Dawn, and whether Yuli can manage both the demonic and political chaos at once.

My Review

I had a feeling that this would not be the last book in the series, since each book follows a different Guardian of Dawn, and there are four of them. Sure enough, though this book contains its own satisfying plot, it sets up the fourth story and the stakes for the guardians and their allies.

Like the others in the series, this one has a large cast and the narrative follows more than one point of view. This book stuck more closely with the three guardians and a love interest, so it felt more compact to me than the first two books. I enjoyed each viewpoint. Zhara, Ami, Yuli, and Kho are all so different from one another. It was always pretty easy to remember who was telling the story at any given moment.

The plot moved at a nice pace. Of all the books so far, I think I read this one the fastest. I really enjoyed the fairy tale story elements. There’s a great balance between the original story and the fairy tale-inspired themes.

I’d still recommend this series to readers transitioning to young adult from middle grade fiction. The action can be a little intense, but the writing and other components keep this feeling like a perfect read for a younger YA audience.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
A few instances of profanity.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Some characters have the ability to perform magic. A few characters are Guardians of Dawn, specific magic-wielders tasked with protecting the world. One character has the ability to compel others to do things. The narrative includes references to reincarnation. The characters pay close attention to the ki of others and the world around them. An evil force which some refer to as anti-ki, or demonic energy, causes harm. Demons emerge from a tear between worlds and can possess people and objects.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Brief battle violence.

Drug Content
Yuli assumes people acting strange are drunk until she realizes something more nefarious is going on.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Legendary Frybread Drive-In edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Anthology or Collection, Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Magical Realism, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , ,

The Legendary Frybread Drive-In
Edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Heartdrum
Published August 26, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Legendary Frybread Drive-In

Featuring the voices of both new and acclaimed Indigenous writers and edited by bestselling Muscogee author Cynthia Leitich Smith, this collection of interconnected stories serves up laughter, love, Native pride, and the world’s best frybread.

The road to Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In slips through every rez and alongside every urban Native hangout. The menu offers a rotating feast, including traditional eats and tasty snacks. But Sandy June’s serves up more than it hosts live music, movie nights, unexpected family reunions, love long lost, and love found again.

That big green-and-gold neon sign beckons to teens of every tribal Nation, often when they need it most.

Featuring stories and poems Kaua Mahoe Adams, Marcella Bell, Angeline Boulley, K. A. Cobell, A. J. Eversole, Jen Ferguson, Eric Gansworth, Byron Graves, Kate Hart, Christine Hartman Derr, Karina Iceberg, Cheryl Isaacs, Darcie Little Badger, David A. Robertson, Andrea L. Rogers, Cynthia Leitich Smith, and Brian Young.

In partnership with We Need Diverse Books.

My Review

This collection was so much fun to read. My favorite was the short story by Jen Ferguson. As soon as I saw that the main character’s name was Berlin, I got so excited. It’s a continuation of the story and characters from Those Pink Mountain Nights, which is my favorite of her books that I’ve read so far. I also loved Angeline Boulley’s short story– if I’d missed her name, I would have spotted her writing immediately.

I’m less familiar with the other authors in the collection, but I enjoyed getting to read their work. A couple of the stories are told in verse, and both were wonderful. I also loved that Darcy Little Badger used direct messages and a tabletop game to tell her story.

Gathering at Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In unites all the stories together. Sometimes characters from one story encounter characters from another story while they’re there. Sometimes they speak with an elder or grandparent who imparts wisdom.

The collection celebrates food, intergenerational relationships, and having a safe space to be oneself. It also highlights the unique experiences of different tribes while honoring the commonalities. This would be a great collection for a classroom or home library. Readers looking to find new Indigenous authors to read will easily find new favorites here, too.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
References to Creator and Indigenous traditions.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
One character’s brother used drugs (not shown in-scene).

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill

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The Tea Dragon Society (The Tea Dragon Society #1)
Kay O’Neill
Oni Press
Published October 31, 2017

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Tea Dragon Society

From the award-winning author of Princess Princess Ever After comes The Tea Dragon Society, a charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons.

After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives—and eventually her own.

My Review

I can’t believe it took me so long to read this book! It’s been on my reading list for years. At first, I didn’t think I would like the size of the book (it’s very tall, about 8.5″ by almost 12″), but the way that the panels are drawn, the book needed to be larger. So, the size makes sense.

The pages are pure K. O’Neill magic. Adorable illustrations and sweet storytelling fill the pages. We follow Greta, a girl learning blacksmithing from her mom, who becomes friends with a couple who keep tea dragons. The tea dragons each grow a different kind of tea on their heads or backs. They’re shy and so cute!

The book is divided into four parts, one for each season of the year. Greta and Minette, another girl learning about tea dragons, become friends, too. The whole vibe is cozy and sweet, which is absolutely perfect if you have a young reader just beginning to journey into middle grade graphic novels or an older reader who just needs a cozy fantasy read.

My daughter and I read this one together and are very much looking forward to the next book in the trilogy.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
One image shows a couple leaning their foreheads against one another. Another image shows one character kissing the other on the cheek.

Spiritual Content
The story contains mythical creatures, such as dragons who grow tea leaves on their bodies.

Violent Content
A few images show a person armed with a sword facing down a foe.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. All opinions are my own.