This was such a soft story. It's a nice mix of serious and lighthearted, which I think trans teens really need. CIEL describes trans identities, specifically being nonbinary, in a way that is easy to understand for cis readers interested in learning more about trans people, but not so dulled down that it's boring for trans readers or cis readers who already have the basic trans vocabulary. The struggles that Ciel faces are respected and treated as serious, without needing to be life-threatening. It's a short but sweet glimpse into the life of a young nonbinary teen.

Ciel by Sophie Labelle is a middle grade novel about a young person living in Canada named Ciel. Ciel's pronouns are they/them and they are trans, and their family is supportive. Their best friend, Stephie, is a transgender girl. Ciel has a boyfriend who recently moved away, and the two of them are keeping a long distance relationship.

This was a very character driven story, and if that's something you like then you'll like this novel. If you aren't knowledgable about issues facing trans people, especially trans youth, this novel will explain them in a way that you can understand. I am a cis woman who is knowledgable about trans issues, but I cannot speak to how trans people will feel about this representation, but the author herself is trans, and in my opinion this was a great novel.

I loved the character of Liam! His mother is in a wheelchair, and the novel does not describe her as 'wheelchair-bound', which is nice to see.

I very much enjoyed Ciel. I found the characters especially Ciel to be very refreshing, not as jaded as some of the books I’ve been reading lately. This book made me laugh and also made my heart ache at times. I adored the relation Ciel had with their father and best friend Stephie. Overall a fantastically, heartwarming story.

This book is about Ciel, a gender non-conforming trans kid. Their best friend, Stephie, is a trans girl and they also have a boyfriend, who is bisexual. We also meet other trans kids.

The cast is diverse and shines some light on issues every trans kid faces on a daily basis and it was great to educate myself on the subject.

My only cons is that writing in some parts seems a little bit too childish. I know this is middle grade so it's targeted to a younger audience but at the same time it could be better. Also the action keeps it simple but I guess it's what works for this story.

I couldn't connect with the characters at the beginning but I guess that must be on my part because I'm twice the age of the characters in this book. Eventually the book grew on me and I actually really enjoyed reading it and I ended up giving it a 4 stars rating, compared to the 3 stars I initially wanted to give it.

I've said this before and I'll say it again: it's really such a special thing to see your identity represented in middlegrade. I've read a few books with non-binary main characters so far, but never one in middlegrade, and it really means a lot. It's just such a healing experience.

This book did a really great job at finding a balance between showing the more subtle and heavier transphobia trans people deal with in their day-to-day lives while also showing the love and support and just the happy moments. In that way, it dealt with important and very real themes while being an inherently pretty uplifting and really empowering book. Ciel was a really lovely main character, and one I could really see myself in. And it was great to see multiple trans characters in one book as well, because it shows how there are so many different ways to be trans.

CWs: transphobia, misgendering

Overall this was a feel good book. Something for everyone who is searching for themselves. I think Ceil will teach a lot of non-binary, trans and gay people how to accept themselves in spite of what others say or think. I love her strength and her drive to become the best version of herself. I think every young transitioning person should read this book and keep it with them for a guiding light.

I find it important when reading middle grade to keep in mind the audience it was written for. In this case this book is written for ages – and it is very apparent throughout the book which is a great thing. Something that did throw me off about this book was how many
opportunities this book had to go deeper into certain topics but it only touched the surface. I think it would have been better if it focused on one thing and not many little things going on in Ciel’s life.

Something that is brought up in this book is the difference in experiences between a non-binary and a binary trans person. Through Ciel and Stephie’s experiences in school and with their friends you see the difference in how they interact with the world and also with each other. I think that the distinction between the two is important to include because it is not just a different experience but also they each view their trans identity differently.

Something else they show by having these different characters is the difference between a trans person who is clearly trans and one who is stealth. I think that this distinction is important to dhowcase in order to show the privilege someone has in others not knowing you are trans. I recognize there are many layers that go into how someone is seen by society and the way they wish to be seen yet I find it important to recognize the privilege that can come with society thinking your cisgender.
I like how Ciel is also an YouTube and how that plays a role in their life. I thought it was important to view their reaction to negative comments and transphobia online. I thought their response was good for their age and love the way they explain those comments to their brother.

There’s several instances of transphobia throughout the book yet most of these moments explain why they are wrong. There were moments in which Ciel would explain to the reader why something was transphobic or they would try and insert themselves in those moments to correct someone.

While I did enjoy this book and find it good the intended age range, I do feel like the end is unfinished. There was no real plot and the problems that did arise didn’t really solve themselves. The end felt like there was more of the story that needed to be told and so many of the problems that arose were either dismissed or not fully solved.

Characters: I like each of the characters that are introduced into the book and like that a majority of the main characters are transgender. Ciel is a latinx non binary person, Stephie is a trans girl, and Liam is a trans boy. I found each of the characters likable but would have liked to see a little bit more of their development.

Writing style: I like how Ciel explains a lot of the terminology that they use as words are introduced into the book. I thought that was a great way to educate the audience without distracting from the story. I also thought it was a good way to introduce identities as they appeared in the story through the different

This book was adorable. I loved seeing younger trans youth dealing with not just trans issues but also just living their lives. It was a great mixture of different life experiences and a refreshing break from the outside world. I really thought the main character was relatable and so were the trans friends. And the family relationships were so spot on. At times it was a little cliched, but overall it was really enjoyable and a book I'd recommend especially for LGBTQA+ youth.

*INGLÉS/ESPAÑOL*

~ ENGLISH ~

The publisher provided the ARC for this novel via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, I must say that although I adore LGBTQ + performance books and know that there is a lot of material in the books now (for which I am grateful), I have come to realize that there are not many books that talk about trans or not - binary people.
I can literally count on ONE hand the number of novels where this is mentioned, which seems surprising to me because, come on, trans and non-binary must have their own voices too!

With that said, I must say this story was refreshing for me~. The reason I chose it was precisely to learn more about Ciel, to hear what they have to say, to see the world from their eyes. And to be honest, I was extremely satisfied with what I read.

The story centers on Ciel, a teenager who identifies as trans and non-binary and who is about to go through many changes in her life.
As they begin their freshman year in high school, Ciel wonders how long they can be in front of other people, how to deal with new classmates, new teachers, and strangers who don't know who they are. It seems that everything is changing, beginning because their best friend, Stephie, wants to keep the secret that she is a trans girl, something Ciel does not agree with. As if that were not enough, there is also the fact that Ciel's boyfriend, Eirikur, has moved and it seems that they are distancing themselves.

Too many things are happening in his life, but Ciel is determined to deal with it all, and what better way to do it than to have one goal in mind: buy a new camera to continue his YouTube channel and investigate a certain trans boy who has caught their attention in school. It's just their first year in high school, but Ciel has a lot to say and experience.

It is an extremely adorable and quick to read story, I recommend it for children and adolescents because I feel that it is more their style. It's also very easy to sympathize with the adorable Ciel. They have a great voice and a great strength of the story is that the author simply explains the problems or situations that many trans people have gone through. Situations such as discrimination, harassment, even opens our eyes to things as subtle as the wrong approach to the news on the newspaper or the process of accepting that the parents have when they're facing the news that his son or daughter is trans.

In my opinion, that's one of the strongest points in the story, I was really able to understand more about Ciel's perspective thanks to the experience they had throughout the book and the things he told.
I also really liked Ciel's friendship with Stephie, it made me extremely adorable, and while I would have loved to know more about them or Eirikur or have times when Ciel's YouTube videos were further explained, I thought it was a good read, extremely entertaining and charming.

However, while I liked the reading, I can't help but mention that it lacks a plot. Ciel has a lot to deal with (their YouTube channel, their friendship with Stephie, their relationship with Eirikur, their experience at school, their insecurities, determining if they want to be themself at school), but even though all of that connects With Through Ciel, I wish there was a main storyline that would tie all of these issues that Ciel is going through.

Still, it was a very good and entertaining read, and with that ending, they really want to know what will happen next.

~ESPAÑOL~

El ARC de esta novela fue proporcionado por la editorial a través de NetGalley a cambio de una reseña honesta.

Primero que nada debo decir que, aunque adoro los libros con representación LGBTQ+ y sé que ahora hay mucho material en los libros (Por lo cual estoy agradecida), he notado que no hay muchos libros que hablen sobre personas trans o no binario.
Literal puedo contar con UNA mano la cantidad de novelas donde esto se menciona, lo cual me parece sorprendente porque, vamos, los trans y los no binarios también deben tener sus propias voces!

Dicho eso debo decir que esta historia fue refrescante para mi~. La razón por la que la escogí fue, precisamente, para aprender más de Ciel, escuchar lo que tiene que decir, ver el mundo desde sus ojos. Y la verdad, quedé sumamente satisfecha con lo que leí.

La historia se centra en Ciel, una adolescente que se identifica como trans y no binario y que está a punto de pasar por muchísimos cambios en su vida.
Con el inicio de su primer año en la secundaria, Ciel se pregunta qué tan ellos puede ser frente a las demás personas, cómo lidiar con nuevos compañeros de clase, nuevos profesores y desconocidos que no saben quién es. Parece que todo está cambiando, empezando porque su mejor amiga, Stephie, quiere guardar el secreto de que es una chica trans, algo en lo que no está muy de acuerdo. Por si fuera poco también está el hecho de que el novio de Ciel, Eirikur, se ha mudado y parece que se están distanciando.

Demasiadas cosas en su vida están sucediendo, pero Ciel está decidida a sobrellevarlo todo, y qué mejor forma de hacerlo que ponerse una meta en mente: comprarse una cámara nueva para seguir con su canal de Youtube e investigar sobre cierto chico trans que le ha llamado la atención en la escuela. Es apenas su primer año en la secundaria pero Ciel tiene muchísimas cosas qué experimentar y decir.

Es una historia sumamente adorable y rápida de leer, la recomiendo para niños y adolescentes porque siento que es más su estilo. Además es muy fácil simpatizar con la adorable Ciel. Tiene una gran voz y un gran punto fuerte de la historia es que la autora explica de forma simple problemas o situaciones por las que muchas personas trans han pasado. Situaciones como discriminación, acoso, incluso nos abre los ojos ante cosas tan sutiles como el enfoque erróneo de una noticia o el proceso de aceptación del padre ante la noticia de que su hijo o hija es trans.

En mi opinión, ese es uno de los puntos más fuertes de la historia, realmente pude entender más sobre la perspectiva de Ciel gracias a la experiencia que tuvo a lo largo del libro y las cosas que contaba.
También me gustó mucho la amistad de Ciel con Stephie, se me hizo sumamente adorable, y aunque me habría encantado saber más de ellas dos o de Eirikur o tener momentos donde se explicara más los videos que Ciel hacía en Youtube, me pareció una buena lectura, sumamente entretenida y adorable.

Sin embargo, aunque me gustó la lectura, no puedo evitar mencionar que carece de plot. Ciel tiene muchísimas cosas con las cuales lidiar (su canal de youtube, su amistad con Stephie, su relación con Eirikur, su experiencia en la escuela, sus inseguridades, determinar si quiere ser ella misma en la escuela) pero aunque todo eso se conecta a través de Ciel, me habría gustado que hubiera un plot principal que uniera todos estos problemas por los que pasa Ciel.

Aún así fue una muy buena y entretenida lectura y con ese final dan muchísimas ganas de saber qué va a pasar después.

Thank you so much to net galley for sending me this book. Everyone can benefit from this book and we need more books like this not only in middle grade but In adult, young adult, nonfiction.

I found this book really heartwarming.

I love LGBTQIA+ representation in books, MORE if they're middle grade and even MORE if they're written by own voices.

Ciel is a refreshing protagonist and I felt they really had that childlike voice and mind that's going through some changes-- a break up, the fear of losing friends, not knowing if you're able to be who you are in front of strangers.

Again, this was heartwarming and I think it'll be for kids as well. The story is cute and doesn't have any low blow. Ciel lost their mother kinda recently, they have to hide the fact that their best friend is trans and they're on a long distance relationship with a boy that doesn't treat them as he should.

The only thing I found quite meh was that there wasn't a plot connecting everything that's happening-- the Youtube channel, the long distance relationship, the new trans boy, the beef with the other youtuber... of course it's all related, but I found some of the chapter endings kinda open to interpretarion? Or like, the constant threat of their best friends finding new friends was always there and mentioned, but at the same time it wasn't. I don't think I'm making any sense now, but that's the perception I got at the end.

NEVERTHELESS, it was a GREAT, heartwarming, kind book, made me laugh out loud a couple of times and teaches us that self-acceptance and true love and good and loyal friendship it's a long journey that may not be easy, but in the end the happiness and excitement make it worthy of it all ❤️

First of all, I would like to thank you for the ARC of this book which was kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Second of all, thank you for the author for writing this amazing and educational book on trans and non-binary people issues.

This book is about a trans-non-binary person who identifies themselves as they/them. Their story starts with Ciel being excited to start a new high school year. However, high school is not an easy place to be, especially if you are different. Ciel shares the problems they encounter as trans non-binary person, the problems include using gendered toilets or listening for teachers misgendering you or commenting on your physical appearance. The story explains how Ciel feels and with what hostility and problems they need to face on a daily basis. Furthermore, because Cial is a YouTuber the story explores the possibilities of the internet It shows how the internet can be an empowering space for people like Ciel, thus at the same time, it also can have negative consequences due to society's negative and toxic views on the lgbtq+ community. It was interesting to see the exploration of internal transphobia and the spread of hatred in order to get society's acceptance. Lastly, I have truly enjoyed seeing how Ciel's friends and family supported and shared their love for them. Ciel's subtle sense of humour made me laugh more than once. It was good to see the way all the situations were handled and the way gender was deconstructed by explaining how the toxic binary system works. It was great fun and together an educational journey to follow Ciel through their life.
Overall it was a quick and easy read. The story is so heartwarming and cute. One negative thing (which is not negative at all), that the ending of the story left me wanting more. We desperately need books like that in the schools and kindergartens in order to avoid all the harmful things which were mentioned in this book. Everyone should read it. I think this book is a good example which represents trans and non-binary people and shows that it is okay to be who they are and it is okay to question your gender and sexuality. Once again thank you for the author for such an amazing book!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
I'm a cisgendered, straight women who can only review this book through that lens.

The representation in Ciel was (from what I gathered) diverse and a good representation. Ciel is a trans nonbinary teen with other friends who are trans, bi, straight, and there was also a wheelchair-bound side character.

The story reads like a young middle grade book. From my understanding, Ciel is going to what I read as a middle school. They read like a young teen (like 12 or 13). I found some parts very preachy at times which I could see being beneficial to some younger readers.

The book had basically no plot. It felt more like a slice-of-life for Ciel's first few weeks at their new school. I felt like so many more things could have happened and the book just ended. What happened to the GSA? What happened with Stephie and her dad?

Overall, I just wanted more besides the representation. I'm sure this story will be very important to some readers and that's why it's important that it exists.

This is so cute! I read it in one day, since it's pretty short and a quick read. All the main characters were really cute and I loved seeing them just go around being kids while also being trans and queer. There were a few uncomfortable moments displaying some typical transphobia, but it was rarely graphic and always explicitly portrayed it as wrong, usually explained why, and gave some pretty good examples of how to deal with it, which I think is excellent for the children who'll be reading this.

Ciel was really adorable. I loved them and I was so happy everything worked out for them in the end. It's a very lighthearted book with a happy ending, of course, so not for you if you're looking for some big, soul wrenching conflict. But perfect for the kids it's written for. I'm sure this will help lots of trans children in their journeys someday.

My only two complaints were wishing it was a little longer (though I understand this is a good length for the intended audience!) and that at times, the writing is a bit awkward. It's always easy to understand, though.

Overall, I really loved this!

It was a fun and quick read but I'm kinda sad nothing much happened. It is more a slices of life book than a story with a real plot. But I loved reading about happy and loved trans characters. I think we need that kind of representation. It's a good book for trans children or their parents because it talks a lot about terms, pronouns and stuff you need to know.

“Ciel” is a fluffy, feel-good book. The characters surrounding nonbinary Ciel are kind and warm. It feels like a slice-of-life sort of novel, following Ciel’s first year in high school. I felt like it was a nice sort of book to pick up for a younger reader. The genuine warmth and support that leaps off the pages is something that brought a smile to my face.

Despite this, I will say that I thought the characters being high school students felt a little “old” for middle grade. The characters read a bit younger to me, despite the fact that Ciel is a burgeoning YouTuber. Perhaps if it was junior high or something similar it wouldn’t bother me as much.

As such, I think “Ciel” is a quick, fun read, one that is kind and often funny. I needed that joy today.

This book does a great job at addressing issues such as transphobia in a way to make it accessible to young readers. It also shows some of the internal struggles of transgender people. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking to learn more about these issues.

First of all, I'm a cisgender, white woman and can only review this book from this perspective :) I read a lot of books that contain diverse characters because I love the Queer world and diverse characters appeal to me. That being said, I can't speak to the "authenticity" of the "Trans" experience... because I'm not trans. What I can do... is read a book like this by an own-voices author and speak to what I learned... or what appealed to me about it. I hope that makes sense.

Ciel is beginning a new year at High School. Ciel identifies as trans and also non-binary. At home, Ciel's father is great about allowing Ciel to wear what they want and be however they want. I loved the way this relationship was described in the book. My hope is that more children will begin to grow up in homes in which they are allowed to express themselves however they want.... just be who they are.

When Ciel returns to school it's with their best friend Stephie at their side. They are adorable friends, always supportive and sweet. The one thing that is different for these two is that Stephie doesn't want people to know that she is trans while Ciel is very public. Ciel even has a youtube channel on which they post videos about being trans and non-binary. I thought this was a great choice by the author for demonstrating that people are different in terms of how they want to express themselves and their gender identities.

There are some lovely scenes in this book when Ciel explains things to their friends/ classmates. There is a brave discussion at an LGBTQIA group at school during which Ciel points out that all those in attendance should give their name and pronouns. Not everyone is aware that there are more pronoun choices than "he" and "she" and Ciel takes the time to explain.

Ciel is also dealing with a long-distance relationship with their boyfriend Eirikurl. He used to live in Montreal but he has returned to Iceland with his family. Ciel is finding that Eirikur doesn't contact them as much as they had hoped. It's a learning experience for Ciel.

In my mind, the First year of high school is fifteen or sixteen years old. The characters in this book read as younger than that to me. I just wouldn't want anyone to pick this up thinking it was a "young adult" book.

This is a great book for young folks who may be exploring their own gender identity, or those who just want to learn about it. There are some great explanations in the book.

My review will be posted on my blog on August 15, 2020