Reviews

Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity by Kristin Elizabeth Clark

megatsunami's review

4.0

I really liked a lot of things about this book. The realistic dialogue between the two main characters. The self-absorption that can sometimes go along with a big transition (a gender transition, in this case) and how other characters react to it. The fact that Jess's father got to be somewhat complex (not all good or all bad).

Other reviewers have pointed out the negative body talk and body shaming that recurs throughout the book. I think it's a very real problem. I felt like some aspects of it were realistic (how a person might actually see things) but the author could have offered more challenge to the point of view.

Also, the ending was super abrupt.

flulia's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Overall a solid and interesting read; I wish there was a stronger establishment of the friendship between the characters since it was mostly told not shown, and it was hard to tell that they were besties throughout the happenings of the book. The ending was well wrapped up, but I think it could have been a bit more fleshed out. It was very interesting to get to know the characters, however!

babayagareads's review

3.0

Though the plot points in this narrative are mostly predictable, I think many of the trans-related content is extremely valuable. This narrative, as with any, can't possibly be used as a gold standard to learn about gender identity, however I think it does a good job of developing one particular perspective. I do have many issues with the narrative's use of midwestern indigenous cultures through an appropriated, white lens (however, maybe that could be a parallel the author was trying to build for the reader?).

mnangle4's review

3.0

This was relatively enjoyable! I think the author had amazing intentions and did a fairly good job educating about growing up trans, but some of the comparisons of being trans and being uncomfortable with weight were a little problematic to me. This came out in a completely different world than the one we live in, and with that context it’s kind of just a fun road story— today, though, the love and representation (including the Pan representation) didn’t exactly scream authentic to me.

sunflower87's review

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

pippin's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

lego28's review

adventurous emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

thebookishlibrarian's review

Jess’s life has changed dramatically since the last time she saw her father; for one she was a boy named Jeremy. Now that she’s graduated from high school, she wants to try to make amends with her father who rejected her after she came out to him as trans. She believes that his wedding is the perfect place to do that. She starts out on a journey with her best friend Chunk to show up to her father’s wedding, which, she was fully invited to. Will her father come around? Or will it be a complete disaster?

Thanks to Netgalley.com for a review copy of this book.

aesarctic's review

3.0

I'm not going to write a full-on review, I just want to say that I love that this book includes a transgender main character, I just wasn't so happy with some of the stuff going on between Chunk and Jess.

erincharp's review

2.0

I did not like this as much as I thought I would. I thought it was an excellent trans representation, as well as the idea that love is not black and white. However, I could not stand the main character, Jess, to the point where her demeanor and attitude made it hard for me to even enjoy the novel. Yes, she is an 18 year old going through a MTF transition, so it makes sense that she is self-absorbed. HOWEVER, her level is self-absorption is so great that she's unable to even notice that her best friend is hurting or that he was bullied or that all she talks about is herself, even when she's repeatedly hit over the head with that very fact. It was just too over the top and I found myself wondering how anyone, even her own parents, could like her.