Fantastic read! Great representation, wonderful examples of healthy friendships, and a beautiful depiction of just being (you). Highly recommend for all people in the LGBTQIA+ community and those who wish to support them. Can't wait to read more from this author.

This is one of the best books I've read about puberty for middle graders since the book it was inspired by - Are You There God, It's Me Margaret? But so many other themes besides puberty are explored in a thoughtful and inclusive way, including gender identity, coming out, growing apart from friends, bullying, and the question Ollie sets out to learn more about, what it means to be a woman.

I read it so quickly and was so impressed by the depth of the story and character development. More thoughts to come, but it's definitely going to be a title I recommend wholeheartedly to all readers.

overall an enjoyable story about a middle schooler exploring their gender identity. i thought ollie's feelings and confusion towards their gender were very realistic and found the conversations about womanhood interesting. i found the friendships in the book to be very well written. ollie has two (former) friends and i appreciated the complexity in how they were portrayed. also really liked how ollie being mixed race (persian & white) came into place every once in awhile. one thing i will note is that the main plot is about ollie's gender identity and if you are not interested in books with queer characters where them being queer is most of the plot, I might not recommend ollie in between. but other than that a solid read.

I was thrilled to read such a wonderful book. The story is told by the point of view of Ollie, a thirteen year old girl. All the emotions are there because Oliie is not sure if she wants to be a boyu or ior neither. There is a lot of fear, emotionns and cinfusionm as Ollie tries to find her pllace without losing her world. I recommend this book for all readers.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC,

"Ollie in Between" is a thoughtful exploration on the themes of growing up. Author Jess Callans explains in the included author's note that the book began as a contemporary response to Judy Blume's "Are you there God? It's Me, Margaret". "Ollie in Between" tackles the unique challenges of facing the world as a non-binary young person, as well as coming to terms with the loss of a parent, shifting friend dynamics, and family expectations. The structure and mood of Blume's classic are evident here, however Callans successfully creates an original character in the titular "Ollie". As they conduct interviews for a school project on growing up, Ollie gradually learns that few of us know all of the answers.

This is a charming read, one easily recommended to mature MG or YA readers.

I think this book will be important for the right readers. It's written in an accessible way and Ollie is a character I think a lot of middle schoolers could relate to or learn from. The friendship dynamics (and the role of cell phones) was well done. The whole journey of the book was satisfying and heart-felt.

I think I expected a slightly different tone based on the cover. I expected something more poignant, introspective, and tender. The writing style felt pretty unobtrusive, but in a slightly generic way, and at times the transitions between topics were a little abrupt. Ollie's "It's fine" attitude about what they were going through made sense, but it kept me at a distance from them. I wanted to feel more for Ollie.

And this is something I've noticed in a lot of MG or YA books that deal with real-world issues: the messages in this book were right on, but sometimes their articulation felt a little ham-fisted. I think kids deserve to have issues written in a way they actually speak about and conceptualize them. I have a bit of a pet peeve about adult verbiage in kids' books. For instance, right at the start, Ollie states their awareness of book banning, that books about race, gender, and sexuality are the most frequently banned. This language--the wording and Ollie's understanding of it--felt like an adult speaking through the child main character's mouth.

Content warnings-
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Grief, Outing, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Body shaming, Blood, and Death of parent

Minor: Deadnaming and Self harm

To start my review: this is such an incredible book to be published right now. Queer kids will always exist and I'm so glad that there's so much queer literature for kids being published. That being said, I just personally wish this had been a bit more hopeful. There's a lot of content warnings that I noted (the book didn't offer any) and there's a lot of despair and darkness as Ollie navigates their gender identity, middle school, grief of a parent, and what is pointing to be undiagnosed autism (although the book never explicitly mentions it). While there is hope sprinkled throughout the book, there wasn't enough for me personally.

I did enjoy that the author included Ollie getting their first period. It's a time that's stressful and can be embarrassing for everyone who goes through it, so I really enjoyed seeing all their friends and family stepping in to help them feel more comfortable.

Lastly, I kind of wish their neurodivergence had been explored more. Sure, Ollie's journey figuring out their gender is the main story, but every single aspect of it is influenced by the way they see the world through a non neurotypical way. For example: constantly not thinking anyone else makes sense, copying faces and phrases as a way to fit in, not liking change, thinking other people's smiles are fake.

This is such a wholesome novel! Ollie is going through what is debatably the worst time in a person’s life (puberty) and everything is changing. But Ollie learns to find the people who make them feel like they belong and gains the courage to just be. I love Ollie so much. Their character is extremely relatable and their gender journey is touching for people of all ages. What an incredible story about growing up and discovering who you are!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the eARC, but it did not affect my review in any way!

Just as Ollie In Between began as the author’s MFA homework exercise to write a letter to his past self, twelve-year-old Ollie’s story starts with a homework assignment: write an essay about what it means to grow up. As Ollie navigates middle school bullying, unwelcome puberty, and a sudden barrage of gender stereotypes, they decide to take this assignment into their own hands and ask: What does it mean to be a woman?

I’m glad that in 2025—despite the increase in book bans and anti-trans legislation—I can recommend plenty of middle grade novels for trans tweens. Among my favorites are Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff, Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo, and Dear Mothman by Robin Gow. So when I received an advance reader copy of Ollie In Between, I was excited to discover what new perspectives Jess Callans would bring to this small but growing collection for tweens.

The novel immediately begins in a gender-separated health class, with Ollie having to read their technically anonymous question in front of the class: “What happens if you don’t want to become a woman?” The students’ laughter and the teacher’s quick dismissal that it’s “just biology” convinces Ollie that to survive middle school—and probably the rest of their life—they’re going to have to figure out what it means to be a woman since it seems they don’t have a choice in the matter.

It’s a little heartbreaking but also impressive how Ollie takes matters into their own hands. Ollie’s mom died when they were only eight years old, so they don’t have a parent they can talk to about what it was like going through the same kind of puberty. Instead, Ollie goes out of their way to interview various women in their life, trying to understand what it means to feel like a woman. Unfortunately, Ollie quickly realizes that no one has the answer they’re looking for. Ollie makes a good point: “If there isn’t anything specific that makes someone a woman, then how is anyone supposed to know how to do it right?”

But even if no one can “teach” Ollie how to be a woman, having all of these different, older characters reflect on what it means to be women in their own ways leads to some interesting insights and a diversity of perspectives:

“I think some people might say that womanhood has a lot to do with the way the world interacts with that anatomy, good or bad. How you’re perceived by others.”

— Mrs. Mylonas, Ollie’s friend’s mom.

“I think girlhood is trying to understand how to be a woman, like any woman or the right woman, and womanhood is figuring out what being a woman means to you. Undoing all of that stuff that you thought was right, but was only for everyone else.”

— Lila, Ollie’s older sister who’s graduating college.

“Being a woman is looking at all of what is expected of you—which is a lot, as I think you know—and finding yourself through all the noise. . . . [I miss my family] every single day. But I do not miss how it felt to act around them.”

— Ms. Atando, Ollie’s English teacher who’s estranged from her Nigerian family.

These interviews, interwoven in the larger narrative of Ollie figuring out who they are, really stood out to me as a reader. A major part of Ollie In Between is that there are mentors everywhere—and they don’t have to have the same lived experience as you to give you something to think about. Ollie talks to mothers, child-free women, adults who always loved their femininity, and others who grew into it—and even though Ollie eventually concludes that they’re definitely not a girl, it’s these conversations that help them realize that girlhood isn’t an intrinsic part of who they are, while it is for others.

There’s plenty more to explore in Ollie In Between—a beautiful relationship between siblings who’ve found ways to live without their mom’s advice as they grow up. A busy, single dad who’s supportive, but often doesn’t know how to include his late wife’s Persian culture in his children’s lives. A trans classmate who had to change schools because of bullying. And finally, Ollie is strongly characterized as autistic and possibly asexual, though it’s up to the readers to spot the signs themselves. Occasionally, I wished that there was time to dig deeper into the many interesting character relationships in this short book, but for a middle grade novel under three hundred pages, Jess Callans is already doing a lot.

Ollie In Between is an emotional rollercoaster that doesn’t shy away from the tough (and bloody) realities of first periods and middle school bullying but also shines a light queer community and guidance from trustworthy adults. While at times it felt a little preachy, I reminded myself while reading that everyone learns about the pink tax and sexism for the first time—so of course some aspects are going to feel over-explained to an adult reader. Overall, I’m glad this book exists in the world and it’s going to be a wonderful, unique addition to your rainbow library!

I feel seen. I’ve been questioning where I fall on the gender spectrum too and what that means to me.
Ollie’s dealing with new changes and the ever impending womanhood is looming, but is that what Ollie wants? This is explored in the health class essay assigned to the class.
I loved Ollie discovering their inner human amid the challenges of friendships and puberty.

Thank you for this e-arc!

As endearing as it is humorous, this debut middle grade novel by Jess Callans is a tender, queer coming of age story about the courage it takes to find your own voice and choosing to just be. Puberty, AKA the ultimate biological predator, is driving a wedge between soon-to-be 13 year old Ollie Thompson and their lifelong friends.Too much of a girl for their neighborhood hockey team, but not girly enough for their boy-crazed BFF, Ollie doesn’t know where they fit. And their usual ability to camouflage? Woefully disrupted.When a school project asks them to write an essay on what it means to be a woman (if anyone’s got an answer, that’d be great), and one of their new friends is the target of bullying, Ollie is caught between the safety of fleeing from their own differences or confronting the risks of fighting to take their own path forward.

Ollie's 13th birthday approaches, and they feel conflicted. No longer are they welcome playing hockey with the boys, nor do they feel comfortable daydreaming about dating like the girls. As Ollie researches what it means to be a woman for a health class project, they find that there are many different ways of growing up - and maybe they'll even be able to pave their own way. This book explores middle school friendships and is so relatable, modeling how to be there for each other and how to be open to possibilities. Jess Callans struck a perfect balance between being realistic about dark moments and showing that there is so much light.

I received a free eARC of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read it.

Sometimes a book just hits and hits hard. Ollie In Between is one of those books for me. Because I’m like Lila. I never have really questioned my gender. It just is. Kind of like the sun coming up in the morning. But I do have NB and trans teens in my life. Kids and young adults who are trying to deal with puberty AND with the fact that they just don’t feel like a woman, or like a man. I’ve had a student tell me, as Ollie does, that they’ve fantasized about breast cancer, about needing a hysterectomy. I’ve seen kids come out of their shell after a haircut. And, Sadly, I’ve seen kids, as Stella has, become the lightning rod for parents who seem to need something to complain about.

While I fell strongly that not every book about a trans character should be about coming out. In many respects, this is the coming out and becoming yourself story that kids need-not just to understand themselves, but to understand their classmates. To understand what dysphoria feels like, from the inside, to understand how much their comments can hurt and dig even when meant in good faith.

It’s a story about friendship and finding your place, your group, your identity. And that not all “friends” are really friends.

It’s a story about trying to find your place when your culture doesn’t quite match those around you.


And, most of all, it’s a story about growing up.


It’s also a story that teachers need and parents need. Need to understand how kids are reaching for information, are trying to figure things out. And. In particular, that queer books and the presence of queer kids doesn’t make kids queer-they give a life preserver to kids who are already queer and struggling to figure themselves out.


I will be adding this book to my Little Free Library when it comes out in print. Because kids need this book-and, sadly, are unlikely to be able to find it in their public or school libraries.

I vividly remember reading Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret as a kid. All of the changes Margaret and her friends were so excited about , and so eager to rush into, were the exact things I didn't want to happen to me. I wondered what was wrong with me that I wasn't looking forward to "becoming a woman" like everyone else was. Imagine having a book like this one to realize I wasn't alone in thinking that way. But this book didn't exist at the time.
In Ollie In Between, Jess Callans captures the confusion, fear, and worry of puberty perfectly. As a nurse, teacher and most especially a parent, some of Ollie's thoughts completely gutted me. Especially considering a recent survey showing that 50% of transgender and non-binary youth in the US have seriously considered suicide. I wanted to leap into the pages of the book and find a way to protect Ollie and shelter them from this reality. We only get one chance at our initial reaction to a child confiding their true self to us--and experiencing this through Ollie's eyes is a poignant reminder of how wrong we adults often get it. Callans does a beautiful job at expressing the physiological responses Ollie has to various situations throughout their journey, which makes the reader feel in the midst of it all. The writing is so well executed it comes as no surprise that the author has an MFA in writing for kids.
The relationships in the story felt authentic, and I especially enjoyed the older sister trying her best to fill the shoes of a desperately missed mom.--and not always getting it right. The ending wasn't wrapped up in a neat bow, but was satisfying and hopeful. Ollie is a character you can't help but root for. I hope this book finds its way into the hands of so many kids who need a character they can relate to. As Ollie discovers along the way, there isn't one right way to feel. I predict many kids will finally feel seen in these pages.

This is a story for any young person who has questions about growing up, especially if you feel like the questions you do ask are always given basic answers, like 'it's a feeling' or 'I just knew." Figuring out who you want to be, and doing that in a world that often tells young people that puberty is a celebration related to becoming a woman or a man, is confusing and can be very lonely. For trans and nonbinary youth it's downright dangerous. This is a tearjerker with very realistic situations, dialogue and characters sure to immerse readers and have them racing to find out if Ollie has a happy ending. LGBTQIA+ readers, families and allies will find an author who understands how frightening growing up feeling like an outsider can be, feeling like you're missing a rule book, and nothing on offer sounds like it'll fit. This story is for you.

When Ollie pulls their own question from the 'sex box' in health class, they have to read it aloud, "What happens if you don't want to become a woman?" And then listen to the laughter of the other students to this "stupid question." Ollie already felt like a bit of an outsider, but before it was ok, they had their friends Cal and Nate who helped Ollie navigate socially, but now Cal and Nate are moving in different directions, but both directions are leading them away from Ollie. Ollie starts interviewing women at and around the school - "What did womanhood mean to you when you were younger and how do you think that has changed as an adult?" The interviews lead to more questions, and also the question of bravery. Can Ollie be brave enough to stand up for a new friend? Or take steps to be themselves even if they might get hurt?

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!

I had the biggest smile on my face after completing this wholesome novel. Ollie's journey discovering their gender identity mirrored so many of my own moments growing up as a confused, scared, and most definitely not cis girl.

Jess Callans wrote this book with the prompt from school that asks, "What defines a woman/womanhood?", and coincidentally, our main protagonist, Ollie, dives in their health class to answer the very same question in their essay. After interviewing several adults, friends, and their sister, they are just as frustrated and confused as ever.

What comes out of the essay, and the end of the novel, is a teen with inclusive, queer, and loyal friends in a queer book club.

Even though this book is written for juniors/middle-grade level readers, it touches on some really difficult topics and themes. I wish I could bottle up the feelings I had while reading this and carry it with me always, because it makes me feel safe and cozy.

I hope Jess Callans will continue to write more books because I am definitely a new fan!

Being nonbinary, I found so many things to appreciate about Ollie in Between, which concerns a nonbinary 13-year-old navigating gender expectations. And as I read, I wondered if the protagonist might also be autistic because Ollie has difficulty interpreting people’s nonverbal communication and Ollie struggles with social interactions. Ollie in Between will be published by Feiwel & Friends and April 2025.