Full review: 11/26/2020

Borinsky does a beautiful job of writing this experience. From drag mothers to parents not understanding but wanting to, this book was well written. While I enjoyed this book, there were some moments that I felt disconnected from it. It seemed some things were drawn out, while others didn't get enough light. The relationship with Tracy was clumsy, as intended, but it felt like it lasted too long. I suppose I wanted more of what happens as Sasha Masha discovers who they are, but the story was focused on the before- and I do get that.

A review for this is difficult because this book is messy. It's supposed to be messy because this experience is not cut and dry. Aside from some moments being slower than others and interrupting the pace of this book, this book was incredibly enjoyable and I cannot wait to read more from Agnes.

This short, elegant book focuses on Alex, a white high school student from Baltimore who starts to explore his gender identity. He is adrift after his best friend Mabel moves away and begins to fill his life up with new friendships. His attempt to date Tracy, a smart African-American classmate, both makes him feel like a “real” person but also leaves him terribly confused. He keeps on recalling a moment with Mabel where they were dressing up and creating new personas. On a whim, he called himself Sasha Masha. But now he’s starting to wonder if changing his name is the key to unlocking greater happiness.

I really liked this book. Alex is a quiet character on the outside but his inner life is vibrant and curious. His world is filled with well-intentioned, loving people (including his parents) who don’t understand what’s going on. It doesn’t help that his attempt to explain that he wants to change his name to the improbable sounding “Sasha Masha” doesn’t give them enough of a window to recognize his honest identity struggle.

And the author did such a lovely job with the small details. There’s condensation on the metal creamer pitcher at the diner where he is meeting a new friend. Tiny things like this just bring me right along with the character.

3.5 stars
SASHA MASHA is an impactful story of the journey Alex takes to discover who he is as Sasha Masha. This is an own-voices novel, which I think made the story all the more meaningful and impactful. This journey is in no way easy to take and this book doesn’t shy away from the tough topics. There’s confusion and sadness but also hope and the promise of a better future. This book was a super quick read, though the beginning did seem rushed and choppy. We jumped right in and I wish we had a little more time to get to know Alex. I really liked the sense of community present towards the middle of the book. My only real issue was that I feel we didn’t get truly know our characters because of how short the book was. Alex’s self-discovery over the course of the book was done very well and the ending was open but realistic and hopeful. I would definitely recommend this novel!

This book is about Alex who doesn't think he belongs in the right body and meets Tracy who helps him know how to be a real boy but that isn't enough. Alex starts to find his true identity by trying on dresses and meeting a gay boy, Andre, who isn't afraid to show his true self.

This book was an enjoyable and a powerful read. The author did a wonderful job with the writing and pacing. The author did a wonderful job with writing Sasha Masha's before transition but I was hoping to see how Sasha Masha was after the transition. This book discusses about trying to find who you are and not being afraid which does send a powerful message. This book talked less about coming out but more of who you are which I liked this approach made by the author because I think finding out who you are is really important and some authors forget that part.

I enjoyed the main character Alex who is now Sasha Masha. She had a hard time finding out who she was and was struggling with telling people because she didn't know herself. I love how she didn't step off on finding her true identity but willing to go out and find it out herself. There were some great supporting characters that helped Sasha Masha like Andre and her old best friend. I enjoyed Andre's character because he helped Sasha Masha and supported her through her difficult time. This book did have some romance in it but it wasn't the main factor.

I enjoyed this book but was hoping for it to be longer. It was a very short read and I wanted to know what happened to Sasha Masha at the end of the story. It was more of an ending where the reader can decide what they wanted to happen. Overall I enjoyed this book and recommend it to everyone because this book needs to be read.

I enjoyed this book! I’ve definitely never read anything quite like it. I thought the story was focused a lot more on the confusing/questioning/discovery aspect of finding who you are, which I really haven’t read much about. The characters were really sweet and it was heartwarming to see the blooming friendships, especially between the folks at the Purple Ladder. I couldn’t really jive with the writing style, but it was a quick read and I got used to it after a while. Overall an enjoyable book!

Alex is smiling and likable and he largely tries not to be noticed, but over the course of this book, he begins to realize that his body doesn't feel right to him, and he begins to explore wearing dresses and trying out being Sasha Masha.

Alex is not sure what happiness is, what it looks like, how it feels. He’s lost without his BFF Mabel, who moved to Pittsburgh, leaving Alex to navigate junior year of high school in Baltimore on his own. He dates Tracy, but something just isn’t quite right. Then he meets Andre, and Alex’s’ walls begin to come down. Truly a touching, heartfelt story of how to become yourself. And everything that could possibly mean.

Many thanks to Netgalley and publishers for a review copy of Sasha Masha.

I LOVED this. The journey to self discovery Sasha Masha takes is poetic and beautiful. My only complaint is that I want more!