This book is certainly trying to do some interesting things but I don't know that it really works. It feels unrealistic. While I can appreciate helping kids see outside of narrow definitions and outdated concepts about gender identity it doesn't feel like there is enough acknowledgement of kinds of privilege as can be necessary in narratives of this sort.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me an advanced copy of this book to read and review.

This was a very sweet, touching story. Plus there's a dog. While the author is not trans, they do use they/them pronouns, and that perspective needs to be taken into account. I appreciate that stories like this are finding their way to middle grade.

What a cute book! I loved this sweet little tale and the representation that it gives readers. I am looking forward to recommending this to my middle schoolers.

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books, Quill Tree Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Daniel and Ash are classmates who both feel like outcasts. Daniel cries at the drop of a hat and Ash feels like a girl some days and a boy on others. Ash has even changed schools in hopes of gaining acceptance. When Daniel helps save an elderly dog from euthanasia, he finds himself in way over his head. Ash steps in and helps and the two kids find in each other the unconditional friendship they've both been longing for. This is a heartwarming tale of friendship for all kids, but especially for those who have been standing on the outside, longing to find a way to belong.

I think that this book is very helpful in understanding gender idenity and how people can struggle. It helped me understand something that is more difficult for me to understand, so I am glad to have read it. It is definitely beneficial in being there for someone.

I really enjoyed Both Can Be True and this book was a "window" for me. I learned about an experience from a middle schooler's point of view of how their gender is fluid and changes - but also how labels aren't as important as others may think they are.

This story explored gender identity in unique ways. I enjoyed reading both Daniel's and Ash's journeys. All of the characters were complex and charming, their actions consistent, genuine, and sincere. But the story aside, the writing itself was sloppy and redundant. Similar statements would be repeated multiple times. Such as the smell of dog pee. I get it, the dog stinks like pee, but I don't need to read it 100 times. And Daniel told us countless times about his falling out with his friends. A little too much was told and not shown, sometimes through long, meandering paragraphs. I think this story could help out a lot of kids exploring gender identity and complex emotions, but the writing itself needed some work. I also didn't like the bit about Ash's Soundcloud song near the end. It felt like a "everybody clapped" situation. Which reminds me of the consistent use of Internet lingo in conversation. I haven't heard a single person, child or adult, use the words "doggo" or "blep" in real life. It just didn't end up working for me. #netgalley

Both Can Be True is a sweet story about friendship, family, doggos, and being true to yourself. Ash is starting seventh grade at a new school after being severely bullied at their old school. But even with a fresh start Ash isn't sure if they want to be out -- how can they explain that sometimes Ash is a girl and other times a boy? Ash's mom gets it, and so does Ash's best friend, but will Ash's new classmates be as understanding? Then there's Daniel, a boy who feels deeply and cries often. He just wants to save Chewbarka, an old dog who was supposed to be euthanized at the vet's office where Daniel is a volunteer. When Daniel confesses to Ash that he's been hiding Chewbarka, Ash volunteers to help care for Chewbarka and find a forever home for the pup. They soon become friends but Ash doesn't know how to tell Daniel about their shifting gender identity.

I haven't read many middle grade novels but I loved this one! This book packed in tons of feels. Both Daniel and Ash face pressure from their parents to conform: Daniel's mom and dad want him to stop crying so much and feeling so deeply; Ash's dad wants them to pick a gender and stick to it while also conforming to that gender's stereotypes. Both kids also have friend drama and secrets they're holding onto. I love that as the story unfolds they both learn to trust each other and trust themselves, and to embrace what makes them unique. This book is full of great conversations and big ideas, deep friendships and unconditional love, messy dogs and messy kids. Highly recommend!

Ash and Daniel are two seemingly unlikely friends. Ash has just transferred middle schools in the 7th grade after being attacked at their old school, and Daniel is a photography enthusiast who is constantly being told he feels too many things too strongly. When Daniel accidentally ends up with an almost euthanized dog, Ash ends up teaming up with him to help him conceal and save the dog. Both kids have to examine their identities and preferences when they start falling for each other.

I loved so many things about this book. I loved that Ash had a gender affirming parent. I loved the friendship turned romance between Ash and Daniel. I didn’t love the fact that once again a trans story was being told through the lens of something tragic having happened to them. I just want more stories about trans or gender non-conforming kids just living their lives, going through regular tween/teen issues, but not always having to be bullied or hate crimed for their narrative to move forward.

Overall I would still suggest this book to my students, but would be more wary of suggesting it to all of my GSA kids.

4.5/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advanced copy of this to review! This is a middle grade novel that caught my eye one day while browsing NetGalley, and I'm so happy I read it! It definitely fills a much needed hole in middle grade literature.

Machias absolutely nails the voices in this book. The narration switches between Daniel and Ash, which means we get to see inside both of their heads. They both really struggle with how the world views them because they don't fit into expectations. I think a lot of middle grade readers will relate to both Ashe and Daniel. Middle school can be so brutal, and they're lucky that they find each other.

We get a wide variety of parental figures in this book, too. First, we have Ash's mom, who is supportive of them being whoever they want to be. Then we have Ash's dad, who thinks he's helping Ash, but isn't really. Daniel's mom tries tough love, where Daniel just needs to be told it's okay he feels so hard. And Daniel's dad is a little absent, but can be supportive when he needs to be. It's important for readers to see all of these sides of adults, because like kids, no adults are the same.

There are a lot of great discussions in this book about gender roles and toxic masculinity and how it can harm teens. I love that this forces you to challenge how you think about gender, and it's absolutely something that all middle grade readers need on their shelves.

Both Can Be True is told from the point of view of two Middle Schoolers, Ash and Daniel. Ash has synesthesia and is gender fluid. Daniel is an empath and "feels too hard". Both are dealing with parents who have separated while also trying to navigate the extreme ups and downs of Middle School. This story takes us inside both characters to get to know them and their struggles. If you are unfamiliar with how it feels to be gender fluid, Ash's chapters will give you a new perspective on what it's like when some one cannot exist under a label and just wants to be seen for who they are. If you are not in touch with your sensitive side, Daniel's chapters will help you see what it's like for some one who gets overcome with emotion and tears on a regular basis. But all of this learning comes with the addition of a fabulous middle grade story about love for a dog and wanting to do what's right even if there are consequences. With even the supporting characters rounded out and well-written, this book is a great read for all those who just love a good book.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC.

A great addition to any middle-grade classroom! A well-written story about gender identity and expression. I will be adding copies of this book to my classroom library and I will be suggesting it to our department chair.

Attention Theydies and Gentlethems!

The most wonderful middle-grade book, Both Can Be True, releases in a few short weeks! Meet Ash, a seventh-grader who loves running cross-country, music, and dogs. Ash sometimes identifies as a boy, sometimes as a girl, and sometimes Ash is halfway through the crossfade. Enter Daniel, an eighth-grader, who has experienced some difficult times including his parents' separation, his dog dying, and his best friend ditching him over a silly kissing game. When Daniel makes a rash decision to help save an innocent dog's life, he quickly realizes that he's in over his head. As Ash volunteers to help Daniel, the two become quick friends, but both kids are hiding parts of themselves.

I honestly don't have the words to describe just how excellent this book is. I highlighted 55 different passages throughout the book that spoke to me. I love that this book shares the perspective of someone who is genderfluid and a boy who has deep emotions and wants to feel everything. Machias tackles Ash's and Daniel's struggles to be who they with grace. Both characters struggle to fit into the molds that they know they were born to break. Ash's mom is one of my favorite characters as she supports and loves Ash unconditionally, as all caregivers should.

I implore you to read this book...no matter your age. Both Can Be True provides a doorway to help folx understand two kids who are growing into their true identities. You will fall in love with Ash and Daniel. I wanted to hug both of them and stand up for them as they fought to be who they are. My words do not do this book justice. It releases on June 8, and you don't want to miss it! This one gets all of the stars!

Favorite Quotes:
- "You have green hair and ear gauges and a porcupine tattoo on your butt cheek that you always bring up within like three minutes of meeting someone. You fix trucks for a living and your hobby is cross-stitching profanity."
- "I'm 62 kinds of nervous."
- "All of us have huge private struggles, and none of us talk about them. We keep big parts of ourselves locked away."
- "I hate how that question reduces me to only my gender."
- "I didn't choose to be like this."
- "'I wish so hard that people could cry whenever we need to and then get on with the day. Like sneezing or burping or getting the hiccups. A bodily function."
- "Sometimes you gotta stick it to the man even if the man can't see it."
- "I am who I am. If the world doesn't like it, they can do huff Booper farts."
- "I think this is the first time an adult has apologized to me and meant it."
- "It's never hopeless. Even when real bad crap happens. You gotta use your grief or your anger or whatever to make things better."
- "Life's edges aren't so defined."
- Being human comes first."
- "This bathroom has been liberated from the artificial construct of a gender binary."

Just not for me, I think. The writing was strong and entertaining but the plot overall didn't particularly grab me or pull me in. The two main characters sounded very similar to me and sometimes context alone was the only way I was able to discern which character's POV was being featured at the time. Neither sounded a middle school student, nor did any of their friends, which caused me to regularly fall out of the narrative. The emphasis on dating and romance was similarly uninteresting an tedious, although this lack of interest on my part likely has more to do with my not being in the intended age group than anything else.

A middle grade book about gender nonconformity and stereotypes... and PUPPIES!

Ash is sometimes a girl. And sometimes a boy. And sometimes, they’re in between. Forced to choose gendered identities at the pressure of those around her, Ash is confused.

Daniel is a sensitive kid who cries, who feels things so deeply. And he just cannot stand by and let a little dog die.

The ways in which Ash’s and Daniel’s alternating narratives both carry the action and their own revelations is really engaging to read. I wish the ending brought more closure to some of the loose ends.

4.5/5 Stars

In my middle grade classroom (I am a teacher), the only nonbinary character representation we had was through George by Alex Gino--which students loved, but also felt a bit young at times (it features a 4th grade protagonist). I was excited to see this book available on Netgalley!

The representation in this book is strong--our main character, Ash (Asher/Ashley -- our 13 year old genderfluid main character) is very honest and direct about his/her feelings towards his/her gender, and how they feel their gender presentation and innate feeling alternates, with their not having any real control over it. Ash has a fairly realistic family--Mom is supportive to the extent of advocating for puberty-blocking medication, while struggling with how to verbalize Ash's struggles (there is a passage were Mom talks about "taking time to decide", which felt a bit cringey, but added to the characters feeling honest and flawed).

We also have Daniel, another 13 year old, who is learning how to navigate his feelings, while feeling as though he is too emotional--despite his friends validating him and seeing his truth. This definitely opens up the opportunity to talk about how to navigate emotions, and how some genders are permitted more range and opportunity with how to express themselves. While this sounds more heavy, there is also an elderly dog named Chewbarka that our characters are seeking to take care of. All in all, I would recommend this be in all middle grade classrooms, and potentially 9th grade rooms. The writing was a bit choppy and disjointed for my preference (although it did support character development, so I am rounding up to 5 stars), so I am not sure I would want to teach this text, but I would certainly recommend to students for independent or book club reading.

Ash is gender fluid. Daniel is sensitive. This #ownvoices story alternates perspectives between these two middle schoolers as they share (and hide) their identities. Ash’s narrative introduces readers to gender fluidity and questions the need for labels without sounding like an after school special. Daniel’s quest to save Chewbarka from being euthanized is an engaging subplot.

I thought the author had a good idea of who they wanted their characters to be, but that dog plot just took me completely out of the story. It was so over the top. This felt like YA to me because it concentrated so much on crushes and dating.

5/5 stars


Genre: Children's Fiction


Description:


Debut author Jules Machias explores identity, gender fluidity, and the power of friendship and acceptance in this dual-narrative Own Voices story about two kids who join forces to save a dog . . . but wind up saving each other.


Ash is no stranger to feeling like an outcast. For someone who cycles through genders, it’s a daily struggle to feel in control of how people perceive you. Some days Ash is undoubtedly girl, but other times, 100 percent guy. Daniel lacks control too—of his emotions. He’s been told he’s overly sensitive more times than he can count. He can’t help the way he is, and he sure wishes someone would accept him for it.


So when Daniel’s big heart leads him to rescue a dog that’s about to be euthanized, he’s relieved to find Ash willing to help. The two bond over their four-legged secret. When they start catching feelings for each other, however, things go from cute to complicated. Daniel thinks Ash is all girl . . . what happens when he finds out there’s more to Ash’s story?


With so much on the line—truth, identity, acceptance, and the life of an adorable pup named Chewbarka—will Ash and Daniel forever feel at war with themselves because they don’t fit into the world’s binaries? Or will their friendship help them embrace the beauty of living in between?


Pros:


- Loveable characters with true growth

- The characters are real and relatable.

- Covers HUGE topics in an older kid-friendly and respectful way.

- Amazing conversation starter for parents/teachers/guardians and kids.

- Shows genuine emotion in boys AND presents that as a strength not a weakness.


Cons:


- None!


Would I recommend it?


YES! Words can not describe how important I think this book is and how anyone with 8-year-olds and up should read this book with them.