Language: PG (13 swears); Mature Content: PG13 (Kissing on a bed); Violence: PG (Manga violence - illustrations)
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SOME
Gabby and Neesha are both new at the high school. Neesha has Cerebral Palsy which affects her balance and she needs braces on her feet and legs. When she learns the principal has taken her out of her honors classes and placed her in special education classes instead, she bravely threatens to call her mom who will call her lawyer and she gets (many of) the accommodations she needs. Gabby is also having a bad first day, nearly getting sent home for a dress code violation, Neesha steps in and advocates for Gabby too. The two become friends, discovering that in middle school they both enjoyed the same Manga series, and commit to book clubbing the series together. Through the shared readings, and the shared adventures of finding the next in the series, the girls become close.
I liked this sweet budding romance - the girls become fast friends, even best friends before it turns to romance, and the romance isn't steamy - even when given the opportunity to be alone together, either the authors don't disclose it all, or the romance stops at kissing. I loved strong Neesha ready to take on the world for the under advantaged, she's so sweet with Gabby who is going through some personal problems. Although the girls are in high school, I would purchase a copy for my middle school library, too. My 8th and 9th grade readers who like LGBTQ will enjoy Navigating with You. Neesha is black, Gabby is Cuban.
Lisa Librarian
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