2023 Reads: The Ship We Built by Lexie Bean
Genre: Fiction: Contemporary Age level: Middle grade Format: Novel
Summary: Rowan, a young trans boy who knows who he is but doesn't know who to tell, writes letters to help him feel less lonely. The book follows each letter he writes before sending them off via balloon in the hopes that someone will hear him.
Thoughts: This is one of those books that sticks to you like glue. I think this is probably one of my favorite middle grade books I've ever read- it's touchingly heartfelt, and captures the voice of a scared trans kid so well that it made me cry lmao!! As a transmasc, I'm always looking for more transmasc rep, and this one especially touched me. I really do recommend it!
I do, however, wonder if this is the type of book that would connect with the middle grade audience. I very much enjoyed it, but it was one of those things where I couldn't really imagine my younger siblings reading. I guess this isn't the biggest problem in the world, but it does make me wonder who the audience is. I'd be willing to go out on a branch and say it's more for trans young adults and older? But I don't know! I'd be eager to hear anyone's thoughts on this :0
But it is lovely! 100% this will be going on my favorites list at the end of the year.
My rating: 5/5 Trigger warnings: Child abuse, CSA, a Black child experiencing the incarceration of a parent, transphobia, homophobia, suicidal thoughts / ideation, vague portrayal of conversion therapy. Representation: Trans boy + queer MC, selectively mute MC(?), Black SC.
