Review by Booklist Review
Gow pens an intimate novel in verse that follows two teens exploring their trans identities. Two best friends, Aaron and Oliver, grow up together and eventually fell in love. During their senior year of high school, they confide in each other that they are trans men and begin the process of determining their pronouns and finding ways to be comfortable in their skin. When Aaron's family moves from their small town to bustling New York City, both teens agree to write letters to each other in the style of Revolutionary War soldiers. This quiet, beautiful novel gives two trans boys the space to explore deliberately what being trans means to them, and the epistolary structure gives voice to each character's innermost thoughts, making the whole novel feel as confessional as a journal. While exploring records of queer people throughout history--in particular, a pair of Revolutionary War soldiers, from whom they take their names--Aaron and Oliver carve out space for themselves where they know they'll fit comfortably. This beautiful coming-of-age story will resonate with those who love character-driven fiction, especially the history buffs!
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In three sections, Gow's (Our Lady of Perpetual Degeneracy, for adults) bittersweet novel in verse centers two rural 17-year-old trans boys in love navigating romance, family, and finding themselves as life tries to pull them apart. The boys celebrate their trans identities by renaming themselves Aaron and Oliver, after two trans soldiers who fought side by side during and possibly lived together after the Revolutionary War. Aaron, who is Puerto Rican, grapples with his conservative Catholic family's failure to accept his gender identity. Oliver, whose white, Jewish family is more supportive, is fascinated with the American Revolution--specifically the experiences of queer people at that time. But Aaron's family suddenly moves away from Kutztown, Pa., to Queens, N.Y., when the family priest's abuse of Aaron's brother is made public. Using the names and stories of the soldiers who inspired them, Aaron and Oliver communicate in the form of letters, texts, and imagined conversations, which alternate with Gow's fluid stream-of-consciousness verse. Though the dual points of view can be difficult to distinguish, sweet details (a sibling "writes little poems for you and leaves them in your shoes") and steadfast romance make for a compelling journey. Back matter includes an author's note and recommended reading list. Ages 14--up. Agent: Jordan Hamessley, New Leaf Literary. (Mar.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 10 Up--A beautifully written novel in verse about self-discovery and first love. Aaron and Oliver are trans boys beginning their senior year of high school. They're happy to have each other in their small town devoid of any other LGBTQ+ teens, or even adults, and have always looked to each other for comfort, understanding, and love. Their plans of a future together come to a halt when an incident causes Aaron's family to move away. To cope with his loneliness, Oliver dives into history to find stories of queer people. What he finds is a tale of two Revolutionary War soldiers who may have been trans men in love. Aaron and Oliver decide to adopt the names of these soldiers and write letters to each other, hoping to keep their love alive until their next meeting. Gow delivers incredibly realistic and well-developed characters in Aaron and Oliver. Secondary characters also feel authentic; both boys' parents are aware of their sons' feelings, and while Oliver's parents want to listen, understand, and accept him, Aaron's parents have a difficult time accepting him once he transitions. Readers will enjoy embarking on the roller coaster of emotions this title evokes and learning about a history rarely explored in fiction. Aaron is Puerto Rican; Oliver is white and Jewish. An explicit sex scene is included. VERDICT A stunning YA debut, this is a first purchase for high school libraries.--Lisa Buffi
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
In their last year of high school, trans boys Oliver and Aaron are separated when Aaron's family moves, but they keep their relationship alive through texting and letters. Oliver, who is White and Jewish, is fascinated by American history, particularly wondering about the stories of non-White, non-Christian, noncisgender men. Aaron, an artist, is Puerto Rican and one of the only brown faces in their high school. They have grown up together, discovered their genders together, and soon they will graduate together. Oliver discovers a story about two trans male soldiers who were in love during the Revolutionary War, and the boys decide to take on their names. But when Aaron's cisgender older brother discloses abuse at the hands of the priest of their church, the family decides to leave Kutztown, Pennsylvania, for Queens, New York. The move is hard on the boys' relationship, but at the same time, it may open a new world for Aaron. The book is a quick read, written in breathless verse. There is no strong central plot but rather a series of reflections on history, relationships, and gender loosely structured around Oliver and Aaron's correspondence and the ultimate question of whether they will still want to be together when they meet again at the end of the school year. A sweet and highly earnest transgender love story. (author's note, websites, further reading) (Verse novel. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
