Heartwarming self discovery for a little enby kid and figure skating? Sign me up. The MC (Mars) self discovery and dealing with grief is very well done.

I absolutely loved this book! Caroline Huntoon did a great job at writing a complex character just trying to figure out who they are. There was a good amount of drama to keep the story moving forward but not too much to overwhelm the reader. The drama also didn't feel forced, it felt authentic to the story.

This was so-so. I think because I've read other skate books, this one fell a little flat for me. But the story and characters overall were enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends, and Caroline Huntoon for the opportunity to read Skating on Mars in exchange for an honest review.

What an absolutely brilliant genre. Middle grade student who identifies as nonbinary struggles to find the right place they fit in and feel themselves when it comes to ice skating competitions. How can one join the girls or the boys competition when one identifies as neither male nor female?

Mars has loved skating ever since they were a small child. Their dad got them into skating, and after his passing, Mars keeps his memory alive through the technical joys of landing jumps and perfecting salchows. Being only twelve, Mars identifies as nonbinary, feeling uncomfortable with terms "girl" and "boy," as neither of them fit who they are. The are comfortable with who they are, but the hard part is sharing their true self with friends and family. 

When Mars's is challenged to skate by their best friend, Libby's, skating partner, Xander, the two friends come up with an intriguing idea: lie about their age and enter the teen boys competition that Xander will be in and see how the scores match up.

The event leads to some repercussion, but also a further calling for Mars as a nonbinary skater and wanting to break down the conformity of gender for all lovers of the sport when it comes to ice skating.

This novel not only addresses breaking gender norms, but also explores family dynamics, loss, friendship, and some of the tough decisions a twelve-year-old may have to face during that age. Similar to yet another brilliant novel, Ana on the Edge, ice skating novels are becoming widely popular, especially when bringing awareness to the gender barriers that exist for people of all ages in our world. A very relatable read and an absolutely brilliant novel that any middle grade or young adult reader would love.

Wow. I'm not exaggerating when I say that Skating on Mars is a landmark middle grade novel. It introduces the subject of nonbinary gender identity through a story that feels every bit as natural and lived-in as this experience already IS for countless nonbinary kids growing up today. Readers will be rooting non-stop for the witty, charming character of Mars, who skates through some major life changes as they learn to embrace their nonbinary identity and reveal this part of their life to their inner circle, and, eventually, the rest of the world around them.

Such a beautiful story. Mars knows that they are not like everyone else. Yet in a sport that is dictated by genders, where do they fit in? More importantly can they fit in? With it being such a big deal currently if trans or non-binary athletes should be allowed to compete in a group other then their birth gender, I think this book adds a perspective that many cisgender people have never really taken the time to consider. There is a space for everyone in this world if we take the time to really comprehend the other perspective. Just because a birth gender identifies someone a certain way doesn’t mean that they are not just as able or capable of competing against all other athletes outside their gendered class. I hope that this book helps anyone struggling with this disconnect in their own lives to keep on fighting to find their place. It may not be within the standard rules or arenas that have been built, but they still deserve a chance to compete in whatever field that they have been working towards if they want to.
Thank you so much to Macmillian Children’s Publishing Group and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

Skating on Mars is a delicate, sensitive, fierce, and fun look at grief, gender, friendship, and first impressions. Skating is one of the few things that make sense in Mars' life. Well, most of the time. After another skater challenges Mars to compete in the boys' division at an upcoming competition, things start to spiral out of control with skating, family relationships, and even Mars' friendships--both old and new. Powerfully emotive and perfectly pitched.

Skating on Mars was so amazing! This was a beautiful coming-of-age story about a 12-year-old nonbinary ice skater that touched on themes of identity, friendship, and grief. Fantastic plot, fantastic characters, and a real emotional journey. Caroline Huntoon's characters really pulled me in and had me rooting for them throughout the book. I laughed and cried along with Mars as they navigated coming out to their friends, family, and teachers and created their own openings when others closed. Not only that, but this book is incredibly important for both kids and adults in helping folks connect with, relate to, and understand what it means to be nonbinary. I highly recommend it for EVERYONE to read!

Skating on Mars is one of those special books which manages to be inspirational, precious, and tender at once. Huntoon's debut not only explores friendship difficulties, but also how we press for our own future, a better vision of possibilities. As someone who has always loved figure skating, Skating on Mars was particularly tender for me. To see Mars not only discovering who they are, but also to try to create a space for others to have that safety.

Was this book written for me? Because it felt like it was, and I’m so happy that it exists (I only wish that it had existed when I was Mars’ age). SKATING ON MARS combines one of my favourite things, figure skating, with a very crucial part of my identity, being nonbinary. While this is undeniably a coming out and coming-of-age story, it also allows Mars to exist as a kid along with being a queer kid. Despite being middle-grade, I truly think that this is a book worth reading for all ages, and I couldn’t recommend it enough.

When we meet Mars, they know who they are (for the most part), but that knowledge really begins and ends with them. Their dad died recently, and the weight of his not knowing weighs heavier than anyone else’s. The beauty of Mars’ story, despite the obvious elements of queerness, love, and openness, are the way in which it weaves grief into the story. Queerness and transness doesn’t exist in a vacuum from other issues, and I appreciate how that element is allowed to breathe within Mars.

Even as this book was below my reading level, I thought it was really well-written, while still being accessible to its target audiences. Mars’ story was easy to follow, and I couldn’t help but root for them along the way. Further, I really appreciated how the characters and relationships were allowed to exist in the world of middle-grade, having classic junior high feelings and drama without being excused for any form of embedded bigotry or hurt that they caused.

Another great element of this book that deserves its own mention is the variety of relationships and how well written they were. No one in the book is perfect, but they’re allowed to be multi-faceted and grow regardless. It’s a worthy showcase of many kinds of self, and many kinds of love. I think that the world needs more books like SKATING ON MARS, and I’m once again very glad that it exists now. Also it made me cry a little bit.

I would have loved this book as a kid. I didn’t actually end up finishing it as I wasn’t really in the mood for it which wasn’t the book’s fault, but from what I did read I would have loved it. I would have related a lot to complicated friendships and struggling with how gendered figure skating is (though I appreciated that book acknowledged that not all cis people stick to all the gendered norms)

Thank you to #NetGalley, Caroline Huntoon and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Life is not at all easy for Mars. Starting middle school was hard enough but they are also dealing with the death of their father and realizing they never shared with him that they identify as nonbinary. But when Mars gets out on the ice and is skating, all their troubles melt away.
As competition season nears though, Mars is struggling with their identity and knowing if there will be a place for them on the ice at all.

A great middle grade novel about being yourself and finding your true identity!

This book was simply wonderful! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this digital galley ahead of publication day.

Mars is a 12 year old nonbinary figure skater. They live with their mom and older sister, and the family is still grieving the loss of their father. Mars loves to skate and spends a lot of time on the ice with their best friend Libby and their coaches.

The main plot of the book revolves around Mars competing in the boys division of a local competition. Although Mars knows that they are not a girl or a boy, as they are nonbinary, a fellow skater who just so happens to be Libby's pairs partner challenges Mars to see who is the better skater. Mars and Libby, with the help of Mars' older sister Heather, decide to enter Mars in the competition.

I adored this book. Mars' family is wonderful and I really loved the relationships they had with their mom, sister, and friends. It tackles some heavy topics in a very relatable and hopeful way. It shows Mars' coming out to their family and a supportive teacher, and how to take a stand against injustice and bias. Mars together with their friends find a way to make skating inclusive for all.

Content warnings for transphobia, off page death of a parent, and grief.

This is a beautifully written book about a nonbinary seventh grader who is navigating their father's recent death and trying to find their place both on the ice and in the world. I sat down and read SKATING ON MARS straight through, as I was rooting for Mars from the very first page and was immediately caught up in their journey and needed to know that they would be okay. This is a very important story that is so timely and relevant. Five stars for SKATING ON MARS!

Wow (in a REALLY good way). It’s hard enough for kids to deal with just being twelve. But main character Mars has so much more going on: dealing with their father’s death, competitive skating and exploring identifying as nonbinary. All of these are closely but smoothly interlinked to result in a captivating story. What Mars is going through is complex, but their voice is simple and honest. Of course there are antagonists, but this is not a story about bullying. The list of heart-warming supporting characters engulfs the reader in a world mainly full of compassion.

This book has ALL the feels: love, grief, family, support, friendship, jealousy, crushes, disappointment, determination, enlightenment. Reading this novel lets me see only the tip of the iceberg in one person’s journey to identify as nonbinary, but I’m thankful this will be out in the world soon for those kids who deserve to see themselves in books. And for young readers in general, I imagine it will leave them with a sense of empowerment to not only demand change but also to make it happen.

I’ve never been a fan of skating, but that didn’t prevent me from enjoying reading about Mars on the ice. All readers can relate to some form of escape where we feel free to be our true selves. Now that I understand the significance, I love the white skates on the cover! I am really honoured to have been able to read an ARC of this novel.

Wow. I'm not exaggerating when I say that Skating for Mars is a landmark middle grade novel. It introduces the subject of nonbinary gender identity through a story that feels every bit as natural and lived-in as this experience already IS for countless nonbinary kids growing up today. Readers will be rooting non-stop for the witty, charming character of Mars, who skates through some major life changes as they learn to embrace their nonbinary identity and reveal this part of their life to their inner circle, and, eventually, the rest of the world around them. As for the setting, the world of figure skating is just such a brilliant place to interrogate the limitations of a gender binary—and the beautiful things that can happen when we restructure our communities in the spirit of "open competition," where everyone can come as they are and show us what they've got. This book is as powerful as it is delightful—an education and a joy.

I was lucky enough to get to read this manuscript early, and I'm so glad it did, as it became an instant MG favorite.

SKATING ON MARS has an excellent voice, the perfect balance of humor and heart (a saying that can be overused but is absolutely true in this case) and a wonderful message with great representation. The pacing is enjoyable, as it was all too easy to finish in nearly one sitting, and the writing is both beautiful and authentic.

While dealing with topics like grief, the book does so in a graceful way that doesn't take away from the overall hopeful tone. That being said, it still is powerful and emotional at times, and will stick with readers long after finishing.

Mars is a wonderful protagonist with a strong voice and sense of humor, and they are both relatable and easy to root for. The relationship they have with their mom is so well-done, healthy, and important to see in Middle Grade Fiction. The queer representation in the book is flawlessly integrated into the story, and will mean the world to so many kids (as well as adults!).

Overall, SKATING ON MARS is a fantastic read and is sure to be a classic in both LGBTQIA+ and Sports MG Fiction.

Ice-skating may be a cool sport (pun absolutely intended) but everything about this book warmed my heart. I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy and what a joy it was! I read the entire book in a single sitting, swept away by Huntoon’s ability to create powerful, realistic characters and a well-paced tender story. Mars is an enby ice skater, trying to figure out their place in a sport that they love so much. Although Mars feels most free on ice (especially as skating connects them to their recently deceased father), they don’t want to be forced into competing in traditionally gendered competitions where the skills on ice are judged by how graceful female skaters must be and how powerful male skaters must be. Can’t Mars just…be themselves and skate with all the skills and talent they have? A story about coming out, loss, friendship, and family, Huntoon has somehow folded so many themes effortlessly into a story where everyone gets to belong.

Skating On Mars is an absorbing story of a non-binary skater who just wants to skate- not boxed in by arbitrary confines. People have lots to learn, choices to make, voices to use to speak up. Well-written.

Skating on Mars by Caroline Huntoon is about a non-binary 12 year old coming to terms with being an enby (NB spelled out) and figuring out how to present their true self to the world. Formerly named Veronica, they now wish to be called Mars, and they struggle with how to let others know they are enby and what they would like to be called. They also struggle with how they skate--should they skate as a boy? as a girl? Why do their have to be divisions at all? Mars also struggles with their Dad's recent death. I found all of their struggles and their family's and friends' responses to be all honest and positive. I will definitely be adding this book to my school library.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.