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This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us by Katherine Locke, Nicole Melleby
tessaf's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
The Purr-cle of Life - 2 stars - This is 100% on me but I did not like the way they think about pets (people who prioritize kittens over adult cats when adopting bug me), and it made it hard for me to like them as a character.
Girl’s Best Friend - 3 stars - This was cute and I liked how the invasion of privacy was actually engaged with.
The Makeover - 3 stars - Not much plot going on but it was cute and I loved the art style.
Paper Planes - 4 stars - This was just. I liked everything about it. Is that because I too would like to send messages via paperplane? Who could possibly say...
Petra and Pearl - 3 stars - This was hard but I think hopeful.
I Know the Way - 2 stars - The two stories were barely linked and it was just too much to have in a such a short space, dual timelines need more pages to spread (IMO).
Balancing Acts - 3 stars - Honestly you even mention parcour and gymnastics and I'm in, so... easy sell. Watching Kai try to figure out what works for em, when e is limited by the gendered structures of sports was interesting to me.
Come Out, Come Out Whenever You Are - 2 stars- It just doesn't work for me with the time loops (maybe not enough, but that's short stories for you, they're short).
Devoyn’s Pod - 2 stars - It is an interesting exploration of when your friends get together and you feel left out, I don't know why I didn't like it more.
Guess What’s Coming to Dinner - 2 stars - Nope. Some stories don't work as short stories because you can't do them without better world building (this one for exampe).
The Golem and the Mapmaker - 2 stars - Cute art, but like the previous story, hindered by being a short story.
The Wish and the Wind Dragon - 3 stars - I want more, but also perfectly happy with what I got.
Splinter and Ash - 3 stars - Not gonna lie would have liked a detailed story of them punching the prince too.
Menudo Fan Club - 2 stars - Poetry and I are always a roll of the dice.
Stacey’s Mom - 4 stars - Cute.
Sylvie and Jenna - 3 stars - Explores bullying, finding your people and people changing.
Girl’s Best Friend - 3 stars - This was cute and I liked how the invasion of privacy was actually engaged with.
The Makeover - 3 stars - Not much plot going on but it was cute and I loved the art style.
Paper Planes - 4 stars - This was just. I liked everything about it. Is that because I too would like to send messages via paperplane? Who could possibly say...
Petra and Pearl - 3 stars - This was hard but I think hopeful.
I Know the Way - 2 stars - The two stories were barely linked and it was just too much to have in a such a short space, dual timelines need more pages to spread (IMO).
Balancing Acts - 3 stars - Honestly you even mention parcour and gymnastics and I'm in, so... easy sell. Watching Kai try to figure out what works for em, when e is limited by the gendered structures of sports was interesting to me.
Come Out, Come Out Whenever You Are - 2 stars- It just doesn't work for me with the time loops (maybe not enough, but that's short stories for you, they're short).
Devoyn’s Pod - 2 stars - It is an interesting exploration of when your friends get together and you feel left out, I don't know why I didn't like it more.
Guess What’s Coming to Dinner - 2 stars - Nope. Some stories don't work as short stories because you can't do them without better world building (this one for exampe).
The Golem and the Mapmaker - 2 stars - Cute art, but like the previous story, hindered by being a short story.
The Wish and the Wind Dragon - 3 stars - I want more, but also perfectly happy with what I got.
Splinter and Ash - 3 stars - Not gonna lie would have liked a detailed story of them punching the prince too.
Menudo Fan Club - 2 stars - Poetry and I are always a roll of the dice.
Stacey’s Mom - 4 stars - Cute.
Sylvie and Jenna - 3 stars - Explores bullying, finding your people and people changing.
nerdysread's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I liked this book. Not every short stories, but it was fun. BUT Ashley Herring Blake left a sour taste. Like, it's not because you have a crush on an enby person, that you are be. Gay and lesbians can be/date enbies. Also, imagine there's someone telling you that her name is now Jenna, but you're still call her by her (what can be considerate) deadname. Even if it's in your head/thougts... I swear to god I thought I was gonna throw my kindle under a car
aimzthereader's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
daenknight's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
headunderrainbow's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
smo13's review against another edition
5.0
Every story was so amazing and describes so many experiences of queer and questioning tweens and teens
peachani's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Homophobia
Minor: Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Animal death, and Cancer
loganslovelylibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Loooved these short stories. So many good ones in here!! All so queer and beautiful, and so much representation of younger queer folks. What I needed when I was a kid. So glad this book exists!!
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us
Author: Eric Bell, Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Ashley Herring Blake, Lisa Bunker, Alex Gino, Justina Ireland, Shing Yin Khor, Katherine Locke, Mariama J. Lockington, Nicole Melleby, Marieke Nijkamp, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Molly Knox Ostertag, Aisa Salazar, and AJ Sass
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Non binary MCs
Ace MC
Trans MC
Latinx lesbian MCs
Gay drag queen side character
Trans side characters
Black MC
Black Lesbian MCs
F/f romance
Mixed relationship
Neopronouns
Gay celiac MC
Black queer MC
Latinx side characters
MC with 2 moms
Side character with 2 dads
Bisexual side character
Lesbian MC
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, contemporary, fantasy, sci-fi, poetry, anthology
Genre: Middle Grade anthology
Publication Date: October 19, 2021
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 288
Recommended Age: 10+ (Animal Death mentioned, Pronouns not respected, Grief, Domestic violence mentioned, Forced gendered notions, Homophobia, Slavery, Torture mentioned, Mentions of death by hanging, Bullying, Racism, Heartbreak, Religion mentioned, Parent death mentioned, Cancer mentioned)
Explanation of CWs: Animal death is the focus of one story, as is grief. Heartbreak is in a couple of stories. Slavery is shown and torture is mentioned. Bullying is shown in a few stories. Racism is shown in a couple of stories. Religion is mentioned and one church service is shown.
Synopsis: A boyband fandom becomes a conduit to coming out. A former bully becomes a first-kiss prospect. One nonbinary kid searches for an inclusive athletic community after quitting gymnastics. Another nonbinary kid, who happens to be a pirate, makes a wish that comes true--but not how they thought it would. A tween girl navigates a crush on her friend's mom. A young witch turns herself into a puppy to win over a new neighbor. A trans girl empowers her online bestie to come out.
From wind-breathing dragons to first crushes, This Is Our Rainbow features story after story of joyful, proud LGBTQIA+ representation. You will fall in love with this insightful, poignant anthology of queer fantasy, historical, and contemporary stories from authors including: Eric Bell, Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Ashley Herring Blake, Lisa Bunker, Alex Gino, Justina Ireland, Shing Yin Khor, Katherine Locke, Mariama J. Lockington, Nicole Melleby, Marieke Nijkamp, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Molly Knox Ostertag, Aisa Salazar, and AJ Sass.
Review: Overall I really enjoyed this anthology! It included a lot of cute short stories and I loved the different stories and genres that prominently featured queer characters. The character development was amazing across the stories. The world's were all well developed and immersive. The book was also a lot of fun to read!
The only issue I had is that I wish some of the stories were grouped together in a cohesive manner and I wished there was more main characters that were gay or outright pansexual. I also think one or two main characters were ace but there was nothing concrete, which I think could have been better stated and written.
Verdict: it was great!
Book: This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us
Author: Eric Bell, Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Ashley Herring Blake, Lisa Bunker, Alex Gino, Justina Ireland, Shing Yin Khor, Katherine Locke, Mariama J. Lockington, Nicole Melleby, Marieke Nijkamp, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Molly Knox Ostertag, Aisa Salazar, and AJ Sass
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Non binary MCs
Ace MC
Trans MC
Latinx lesbian MCs
Gay drag queen side character
Trans side characters
Black MC
Black Lesbian MCs
F/f romance
Mixed relationship
Neopronouns
Gay celiac MC
Black queer MC
Latinx side characters
MC with 2 moms
Side character with 2 dads
Bisexual side character
Lesbian MC
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, contemporary, fantasy, sci-fi, poetry, anthology
Genre: Middle Grade anthology
Publication Date: October 19, 2021
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 288
Recommended Age: 10+ (Animal Death mentioned, Pronouns not respected, Grief, Domestic violence mentioned, Forced gendered notions, Homophobia, Slavery, Torture mentioned, Mentions of death by hanging, Bullying, Racism, Heartbreak, Religion mentioned, Parent death mentioned, Cancer mentioned)
Explanation of CWs: Animal death is the focus of one story, as is grief. Heartbreak is in a couple of stories. Slavery is shown and torture is mentioned. Bullying is shown in a few stories. Racism is shown in a couple of stories. Religion is mentioned and one church service is shown.
Synopsis: A boyband fandom becomes a conduit to coming out. A former bully becomes a first-kiss prospect. One nonbinary kid searches for an inclusive athletic community after quitting gymnastics. Another nonbinary kid, who happens to be a pirate, makes a wish that comes true--but not how they thought it would. A tween girl navigates a crush on her friend's mom. A young witch turns herself into a puppy to win over a new neighbor. A trans girl empowers her online bestie to come out.
From wind-breathing dragons to first crushes, This Is Our Rainbow features story after story of joyful, proud LGBTQIA+ representation. You will fall in love with this insightful, poignant anthology of queer fantasy, historical, and contemporary stories from authors including: Eric Bell, Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Ashley Herring Blake, Lisa Bunker, Alex Gino, Justina Ireland, Shing Yin Khor, Katherine Locke, Mariama J. Lockington, Nicole Melleby, Marieke Nijkamp, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Molly Knox Ostertag, Aisa Salazar, and AJ Sass.
Review: Overall I really enjoyed this anthology! It included a lot of cute short stories and I loved the different stories and genres that prominently featured queer characters. The character development was amazing across the stories. The world's were all well developed and immersive. The book was also a lot of fun to read!
The only issue I had is that I wish some of the stories were grouped together in a cohesive manner and I wished there was more main characters that were gay or outright pansexual. I also think one or two main characters were ace but there was nothing concrete, which I think could have been better stated and written.
Verdict: it was great!