Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book, as this book has already been published, I will not share my review on Netgalley at this time.

Joy, to the World is about a young trans girl who isn't allowed to be on her school's cheer squad because she is trans. As a Texas librarian with several trans kids at my school, this book felt incredibly powerful and all to real. The issues that Joy deals with are ones that lots of trans kids in our state have to deal with -- from hateful, uniformed parents and online threats to terrifying political bills that are trying to erase trans identities and penalize parents. This book made me tear up and I rooted for Joy from the beginning. The best thing about Joy is that she is *just* a kid. I wish more people would read books like this to truly understand what it's like to be trans. Highly recommended for middle school libraries.

4 stars

I am so glad I had the chance to read this book, and it'll be an essential window or mirror for countless readers to come.

Joy, the titular m.c., is 12 years old, obsessed with cheer, a fan of journaling and her religious roots, and a resident of Texas. When the novel begins, Joy is making strides toward her goal of cheering for her school's squad, and all seems to be right in the world...until some maniacal bigot gets wind of another detail about Joy that isn't their business at all; Joy is transgender. If you caught the Texas part, you can guess what might be coming next (Sorry, Texans who don't feel this way. I pity your life in that location all the time!).

Throughout the rest of the novel, Joy's most personal business suddenly becomes everyone else's, and Joy, at her young age, becomes the wise one who is trying to relay that she is "just a girl." It's a long and painful road, but it's also age appropriate.

There's a lot to love about this book including its author/s, the representation, and Joy's general tenacity and seemingly unfailing goodwill toward others, even when they are absolute monsters toward her...and some are.

There are also times when the book reads a little too sweet for my taste, when I want to shake some of the adult characters, and when the religious infusions feel a little over the top. These minor issues will absolutely not deter me from recommending this highly to students.

This was such a beautiful middle grade novel about a transgender girl living in Texas who gets kicked off the cheer team when she's outed at school. Heartbroken, Joy learns how to fight for her rights and speak up against trans injustice.

Full of found family and trans positivity, this book is a heartwarming read in a world where laws against transgender people are still being passed every day. Co-authored by a young trans actor and activist, it was also neat reading how she put herself in the story too.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!! Recommended for fans of the graphic novel Cheer up.

Trans kids deserve books, about them, available everywhere.

I would give more of a review, but HarperCollins needs to negotiate with their workers' union. Clarion is an HC imprint.

Based on Kai’s own life, this is a truly inspirational story, and you will be cheering for Joy. Joy falls in love with cheering and with friends starts a Sparkle Squad. They practice and decide to try out for the school’s cheer team. When they make the team, Joy is told she cannot be on the team because she’s trans. Joy and her mom want to fight this decision. Joy and her mother talk to people on the Rainbow Coalition, and they go with them to the school board meeting where Joy reads a letter to the school board. Joy does more research and finds out about trans activist Kai Shappley. Joy’s brother posts a video that he and Joy make of her reading her letter to the school board, and she gets some support. They find out that lawmakers want to pass a bill making it legal to take trans kids away from parents. Joy and her mom go to Austin to testify against the bill. What happens?

A twelve year old trans girl has just moved to Texas and dreams about becoming a cheerleader... but when she is kicked off the cheerleading team for being trans she’ll have to go on a journey of activism, courage, and more as she fights for her rights. This was a super sweet and heartwarming story inspired by the real life experiences of the author. This is a great read for trans kids as it really delves into the struggles and steps they can take in order to find a community and ways they can fight for their own rights. It was a really touching and sweet read that i would definitely recommend!

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, Clarion Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*