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nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The Pants Project is a story of standing up for what you believe in and being yourself, even when those around you can't see you for who you are. Liv is both excited and scared to head to middle school, but there's one aspect of the school he hates---the fact that girls have to wear skirts. Liv doesn't like the way skirts feel---they're itchy and annoying, and worst of all, they make Liv feel like everyone looks at him and sees a girl, which is not who he knows he truly is. But he hasn't told anyone that, and he isn't sure he's ready to. Tackling the skirt issue is a first step, though, so Liv begins The Pants Project. The story features quite a bit of diversity (Liv's got two moms and he eventually learns his best friend has a hidden disability) and it unfortunately shows the bullying that can go along with being different. Liv has to deal with comments about his moms and doesn't want to face the idea that he might be bullied even more if he comes out as transgender. The book also shows how friendships can deteriorate during middle school (an unfortunate fact), but Liv makes new friends that fill the gap. Liv's family relationships and friendships are wonderful, especially her budding friendship with Jacob, which we get to see as it develops. This book will help kids see that differences don't have to be scary and that everyone has a right to feel safe and secure in who they are!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
The Pants Project is a story of standing up for what you believe in and being yourself, even when those around you can't see you for who you are. Liv is both excited and scared to head to middle school, but there's one aspect of the school he hates---the fact that girls have to wear skirts. Liv doesn't like the way skirts feel---they're itchy and annoying, and worst of all, they make Liv feel like everyone looks at him and sees a girl, which is not who he knows he truly is. But he hasn't told anyone that, and he isn't sure he's ready to. Tackling the skirt issue is a first step, though, so Liv begins The Pants Project. The story features quite a bit of diversity (Liv's got two moms and he eventually learns his best friend has a hidden disability) and it unfortunately shows the bullying that can go along with being different. Liv has to deal with comments about his moms and doesn't want to face the idea that he might be bullied even more if he comes out as transgender. The book also shows how friendships can deteriorate during middle school (an unfortunate fact), but Liv makes new friends that fill the gap. Liv's family relationships and friendships are wonderful, especially her budding friendship with Jacob, which we get to see as it develops. This book will help kids see that differences don't have to be scary and that everyone has a right to feel safe and secure in who they are!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
alboyer6's review
4.0
Great book about friendships, family, tribulations of starting a new school and being true to ones self. Liv was a relatable character no matter if you are a guy, a girl, or anyone else. And as someone who would have hated wearing skirts too at that age, or really any age, I was rooting for Liv the whole time! A great addition to any shelf.
eszter_707's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was such an emotional read.
I loved Liv and his family's dynamic, it was so healthy and loving.
Also his friend group.
Everything was so sweet.
I loved Liv and his family's dynamic, it was so healthy and loving.
Also his friend group.
Everything was so sweet.
nyx_books's review against another edition
4.0
That book was amazing, I loved it so much, and I'll read it again !
jwinchell's review
4.0
This is one of those very intentional middle grade novels. I think it’s very good at doing what it sets out to do: imbue the message that no one should be ashamed of who they are. It’s a sweet trans coming out story and a story of finding your true friends and of being your authentic self.
alongreader's review
4.0
An older book I'm finally getting around to! I really enjoyed this clever, fast paced read. Liv is a great character, very determined and brave.
I did have one problem, though. It seemed strange that it took a trans boy to point out how sexist and unfair the uniform policy was, when a girl could have done it just as well. There's little indication in the story that it bothers any of the girls; one teacher doesn't wear skirts, and one girl seems happy to protest from the start. Plenty of others jump on board once the protest gets going, but it doesn't seem like they would have started anything themselves. However, I loved Liv, so it wasn't a big deal.
This is a great story for kids to read and could lead to some very lively classroom discussion; as well as sexism, it covers bullying, chronic illness and other topics that kids could stand to be exposed to. A great read overall.
I did have one problem, though. It seemed strange that it took a trans boy to point out how sexist and unfair the uniform policy was, when a girl could have done it just as well. There's little indication in the story that it bothers any of the girls; one teacher doesn't wear skirts, and one girl seems happy to protest from the start. Plenty of others jump on board once the protest gets going, but it doesn't seem like they would have started anything themselves. However, I loved Liv, so it wasn't a big deal.
This is a great story for kids to read and could lead to some very lively classroom discussion; as well as sexism, it covers bullying, chronic illness and other topics that kids could stand to be exposed to. A great read overall.
athienel's review
4.0
I thought this book was really good. Perfect for pre-teens and teens. Parents would definitely approve of it's language and the gentle way it approaches the subject of LGBTQ. Liv has 2 moms and is trans herself. The internal struggle of deciding whether to tell others, even her moms, is well done. I think all middle schoolers should read this book even if they don't know anyone who is trans or has 2 moms or 2 dads. Those that are struggling would appreciate this book. It has general middle school themes as well - starting a new school, dealing with mean girls, deciding with whom you want to be friends, new teachers, new dress codes. Well done.
notinjersey's review
4.0
The Pants Project was not on my radar at all until I looked for a book to read for the item of clothing topic in Erin’s book challenge. This book is about a transgender middle school student who is opposed to the dress code that requires girls to wear skirts. This was a quick read that tells the story of friendships and secrets kept in middle school. Liv makes friends and together they realize that the secrets that they keep about themselves are worth sharing. This is a great read for middle grade kids and those who love them.
kelleemoye's review
4.0
This book is a book about identity, but not completely about Liv’s gender identity. It is also about identity within a school, within a friend group, and within the greater system we are all in. With all of these identity journeys happening at once in the book, there is a lot of figurative bumps and bruises along the way in the form of losing friends, homophobic bullies, people stuck in their ways, and sexism; however, there is also some wonderful positives: a better friend who loves Live for who he is, no matter what; a family that is supportive and an example of what all families should be; teachers who are seen as allies within a system that not many are seen; and finding friends that feel like family.
On top of the identity journey, there is also the story of The Pants Project which showed Liv and other students fight a sexist part of their school’s system and doing it the right way.
All in all, it was a pleasure to read about Liv’s time starting middle school and all of the change he is able to make.
Full review and teaching tools: https://www.unleashingreaders.com/25735
On top of the identity journey, there is also the story of The Pants Project which showed Liv and other students fight a sexist part of their school’s system and doing it the right way.
All in all, it was a pleasure to read about Liv’s time starting middle school and all of the change he is able to make.
Full review and teaching tools: https://www.unleashingreaders.com/25735
aengh's review
2.0
I'm sad to say that I found this book to be a bit of a let-down. The writing was fine, and there was a plot. Where the book fell short for me was in its conveyance of emotion. Liv is a passionate youth; he's got a lot of emotion going on, but the narrative, even though it's narrated by Liv, focuses on plot points, more telling rather than showing. Not to mention, scenes with dialogue are cut short, entire conversations and emotional responses summarized into 'I said this, and they were upset.' Sure, it gets diversity points--trans* kid raised by lesbians and has physically disabled friend. It's not a bad book, but I didn't find it captivating. It didn't keep me engaged. I can't say I'd recommend it, really.