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Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Graphic Novels & Comics (2021)A sweet, queer teen romance perfect for fans ofÌýFenceÌýandÌýCheck, Please!
Annie is a smart, antisocial lesbian starting her senior year of high school who’s under pressure to join the cheerleader squad to make friends and round out her college applications. Her former friend BeeBee is a people-pleaser—a trans girl who must keep her parents happy with her grades and social life to keep their support of her transition. Through the rigors of squad training and amped up social pressures (not to mention micro aggressions and other queer youth problems), the two girls rekindle a friendship they thought they’d lost and discover there may be other, sweeter feelings springing up between them.Ìý
Annie is a smart, antisocial lesbian starting her senior year of high school who’s under pressure to join the cheerleader squad to make friends and round out her college applications. Her former friend BeeBee is a people-pleaser—a trans girl who must keep her parents happy with her grades and social life to keep their support of her transition. Through the rigors of squad training and amped up social pressures (not to mention micro aggressions and other queer youth problems), the two girls rekindle a friendship they thought they’d lost and discover there may be other, sweeter feelings springing up between them.Ìý
128 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2021
428 people are currently reading
15k people want to read
About the author
Crystal Frasier
99Ìýbooks67ÌýfollowersCrystal Frasier is a passionate developer and writer with twenty years experience in comics, prose, and games.
Socially-minded and team-oriented, Crystal loves working with diverse groups to create new worlds where everyone and anyone can feel like a hero.
Socially-minded and team-oriented, Crystal loves working with diverse groups to create new worlds where everyone and anyone can feel like a hero.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,379 reviews
July 15, 2021
This was absolutely precious and reminded me just how much I love (and really need to better prioritize!!!) reading graphic novels. We got a great feel for both of our main characters personalities and this perfectlyyyyyy represented the grumpy/sunshine trope to a T. I will say, while this was a mostly fun and positive story, there were definitely some moments of transphobia, so if that is something you are sensitive to I would tread with caution! But if you think you can handle that, I HIGHLY recommend checking this out and I will definitely be buying a hard copy of my own when it releases!
CW: transphobia
CW: transphobia
April 3, 2021
This graphic novel has a huge lesson to be learned. A powerful message that I support all the way!!! No one should ever have to be afraid to be who they are. This graphic novel really delves right in to the inequality as well and the things people say without meaning it to be harmful.
Basically I adore this book and I seriously hope there will be more!!! The art, the characters, and the powerful message that is sooo very needed. Oh and before I forget, kudos to the dad!!! Way to step up and be cool.
I hope people read this and adore it as just as I do. I recommend this to anyone who has been hurt by the words of others, those who have trouble making friends, and those who love lgbtqia books. This was a great one to pick up!!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Oni Press for allowing me to read this for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Check out this review and others on my blog
Thanks!!!
Basically I adore this book and I seriously hope there will be more!!! The art, the characters, and the powerful message that is sooo very needed. Oh and before I forget, kudos to the dad!!! Way to step up and be cool.
I hope people read this and adore it as just as I do. I recommend this to anyone who has been hurt by the words of others, those who have trouble making friends, and those who love lgbtqia books. This was a great one to pick up!!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Oni Press for allowing me to read this for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Check out this review and others on my blog
Thanks!!!
August 2, 2021
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review an advanced reader's copy of this book.
Cheer Up is a cute graphic novel with lesbian, trans, and non-binary rep. It was a quick read that left me smiling and feeling super happy. The art was so beautiful throughout the book. Each character was unique and detailed. The formatting was super fun, especially the text messages, which made the story feel more authentic because this story focuses on high schoolers.
There were so many important conversations in this graphic novel about what it means to be trans and how people can be better allies. This is the story that I wish I had when I was first learning about the LGBTQ+ community. It's entertaining yet eye opening and it encourages acceptance. I highly recommend this graphic novel to everyone. It's about so much more than just cheerleading and if you happen to like cheerleading, then that's just added encouragement for you to read this graphic novel when it's released.
Cheer Up is a cute graphic novel with lesbian, trans, and non-binary rep. It was a quick read that left me smiling and feeling super happy. The art was so beautiful throughout the book. Each character was unique and detailed. The formatting was super fun, especially the text messages, which made the story feel more authentic because this story focuses on high schoolers.
There were so many important conversations in this graphic novel about what it means to be trans and how people can be better allies. This is the story that I wish I had when I was first learning about the LGBTQ+ community. It's entertaining yet eye opening and it encourages acceptance. I highly recommend this graphic novel to everyone. It's about so much more than just cheerleading and if you happen to like cheerleading, then that's just added encouragement for you to read this graphic novel when it's released.
April 7, 2023
An absolute delight!
I read it in one sitting, smiling like a maniac the whole time.
Based on the cover it looked fun and sweet, which it was, but I didn't expect it to touch on serious topics as well. Being happy and emotional at the same time is the best feeling ever.
It would be so amazing if this was a series like Heartstopper. I love it like this, but even if it's nicely wrapped up, I feel like Bebe's story is not over yet. She just started to stand up for herself and the teammates have a lot to learn, too.
Reading it was such a cozy experience, I would read anything with these two girls, or with their teammates as the mcs. This story/universe could grow so much bigger.
And because I wouldn't be me if I didn't mention something that reminded me of Simon vs./Love, Simon, here it is:
"Did you want to kiss me last night because I'm not really a girl?"
"Bebe, I like girls. I like you because you're a girl."
Is the equivalent of
"Did you date me because you think I look like a guy?"
"No. No, I actually broke up with you because you don't look like a guy."
I read it in one sitting, smiling like a maniac the whole time.
Based on the cover it looked fun and sweet, which it was, but I didn't expect it to touch on serious topics as well. Being happy and emotional at the same time is the best feeling ever.
It would be so amazing if this was a series like Heartstopper. I love it like this, but even if it's nicely wrapped up, I feel like Bebe's story is not over yet. She just started to stand up for herself and the teammates have a lot to learn, too.
Reading it was such a cozy experience, I would read anything with these two girls, or with their teammates as the mcs. This story/universe could grow so much bigger.
And because I wouldn't be me if I didn't mention something that reminded me of Simon vs./Love, Simon, here it is:
"Did you want to kiss me last night because I'm not really a girl?"
"Bebe, I like girls. I like you because you're a girl."
Is the equivalent of
"Did you date me because you think I look like a guy?"
"No. No, I actually broke up with you because you don't look like a guy."
November 29, 2021
Fitting in is always a challenge during teenage years, especially when everyone has different ideas of what that might mean. Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier and illustrated by Oscar O. Jupiter is an adorable little graphic novel about friendship, challenging preconceived ideas and learning to listen to what others need instead of trying to help in ways we think they need. While the story is a bit too short, I’m hoping this is the start of a series because it is fresh, fun and surprisingly packed with valuable lessons and perspectives that are often overlooked.
Annie and Beebee make a great due in this cute little graphic novel. Annie is a bright but very antisocial lesbian known for being rough around the edges (she once bit someone) and having no desire to fit in. Beebee is a people pleaser and also uncomfortable with her local celebrity status when newspapers were eager to report on her cheer team accepting a trans girl on their squad. This graphic novel has really sensitive and empowering representation and is written by a trans author. Transphobia becomes a frequent hurdle in several situations (readers who may be uncomfortable with this be advised), particularly in situations where a person is unaware how their actions may be harmful. Which is where this book shines best because it is a good reminder how allyship can quickly become problematic when people aren’t asking the person they are allying with what the best ways to help them actually are.
I think this is a really important lesson, as many of the times Beebee’s friends think they are being supportive it is actually making her very uncomfortable. The way the team is so eager to show how inclusive they are, such as making her team captain against her wishes or wanting to vote her as homecoming queen, put Beebee in a situation she does not want to be in. Even her parents have good intentions but become overprotective to their detriment.
Yet, despite the heavy themes, this story is quite fun and uplifting. Unfortunately it feels a bit rushed, with problems arising only to be solved almost immediately and after the set-up the story barrels straight towards a tidy conclusion. I hope this is an indication there will be more, because there is still a lot that could be explored with these characters, particularly the romance growing between Annie and Beebee. Highly recommended, fun, fast and a good reminder to ask how to best help instead of simply offering your help.
4/5
Annie and Beebee make a great due in this cute little graphic novel. Annie is a bright but very antisocial lesbian known for being rough around the edges (she once bit someone) and having no desire to fit in. Beebee is a people pleaser and also uncomfortable with her local celebrity status when newspapers were eager to report on her cheer team accepting a trans girl on their squad. This graphic novel has really sensitive and empowering representation and is written by a trans author. Transphobia becomes a frequent hurdle in several situations (readers who may be uncomfortable with this be advised), particularly in situations where a person is unaware how their actions may be harmful. Which is where this book shines best because it is a good reminder how allyship can quickly become problematic when people aren’t asking the person they are allying with what the best ways to help them actually are.
I think this is a really important lesson, as many of the times Beebee’s friends think they are being supportive it is actually making her very uncomfortable. The way the team is so eager to show how inclusive they are, such as making her team captain against her wishes or wanting to vote her as homecoming queen, put Beebee in a situation she does not want to be in. Even her parents have good intentions but become overprotective to their detriment.
Yet, despite the heavy themes, this story is quite fun and uplifting. Unfortunately it feels a bit rushed, with problems arising only to be solved almost immediately and after the set-up the story barrels straight towards a tidy conclusion. I hope this is an indication there will be more, because there is still a lot that could be explored with these characters, particularly the romance growing between Annie and Beebee. Highly recommended, fun, fast and a good reminder to ask how to best help instead of simply offering your help.
4/5
March 16, 2021
Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms was the perfect, sugary sweet graphic novel to lose myself in after a long day. With an angry, plus-size lesbian main character and sapphic, biracial trans girl main character, this story was full of representation and different experiences. I particularly love reading about sports team dynamics, girl power and, of course, sapphics so this felt like the perfect graphic novel for me!
This book managed to pack a lot into a small space without ever feeling rushed or lacking. Everything was properly developed despite the fast pace and you really got to know and understand your main characters quickly. I really loved the character development they both went through, and the ways that they learned from each other. I also adored the romance between them � it was just adorable! I also loved the team dynamics as the girls all became friends and began to trust each other. And the art! The art was just stunning and bright and colourful and complimented the story perfectly.
Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms also tackled some important themes and issues which I felt were handled sensitively and with a lot of nuance. I really appreciated how the instances of transphobic microagressions were dealt with, as well as showing multiple plus-size characters on a sports team who didn’t suddenly lose weight through working out; they were shown as both fat and healthy.
Although it dealt with some of the prejudices these characters face, this graphic novel was overall a lighthearted, fluffy read and I really enjoyed it! It had a powerful message of standing up for yourself which I really appreciated and I would highly recommend it to fans of sports team dynamics, the childhood friends to enemies to lovers trope and adorable romances. I really hope there’s a sequel because I just can’t get enough of these characters!
I also talk about books here: | |
*eARC received in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley*
This book managed to pack a lot into a small space without ever feeling rushed or lacking. Everything was properly developed despite the fast pace and you really got to know and understand your main characters quickly. I really loved the character development they both went through, and the ways that they learned from each other. I also adored the romance between them � it was just adorable! I also loved the team dynamics as the girls all became friends and began to trust each other. And the art! The art was just stunning and bright and colourful and complimented the story perfectly.
Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms also tackled some important themes and issues which I felt were handled sensitively and with a lot of nuance. I really appreciated how the instances of transphobic microagressions were dealt with, as well as showing multiple plus-size characters on a sports team who didn’t suddenly lose weight through working out; they were shown as both fat and healthy.
Although it dealt with some of the prejudices these characters face, this graphic novel was overall a lighthearted, fluffy read and I really enjoyed it! It had a powerful message of standing up for yourself which I really appreciated and I would highly recommend it to fans of sports team dynamics, the childhood friends to enemies to lovers trope and adorable romances. I really hope there’s a sequel because I just can’t get enough of these characters!
I also talk about books here: | |
*eARC received in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley*
October 12, 2021
This graphic novel was so sweet and precious and adorable and beautiful and- *deep breath* I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS. A precious sapphic romance between a fat, punk, antisocial girl and a beautiful, shy, sunshine-n-rainbows trans girl? Be still, my heart. The art is lovely and sweet, the story is wholesome, the character cast in inclusive and varied, and I just adored this with my whole sweet-queer-girls-getting-the-happy-endings-they-deserve obsessed heart.
Above all else, Bebe's character and the commentary brought up by things she was facing: the hyper-exposure of trans women, the way trans women are held to unfair standards and expected to be flawless 100% of the time, the struggle of having parents who are trying to be accepting but haven't quite figured it out yet, the way people can turn their trans loved ones into tokens to be objectified instead of cherishing them for who they truly are... There are so many good discussions within this short little story. �
� Representation: fat sapphic MC, trans questioning biracial MC, multiple BIPOC and/or queer side characters
� Content warnings for:
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this review copy in exchange for an honest review!
Above all else, Bebe's character and the commentary brought up by things she was facing: the hyper-exposure of trans women, the way trans women are held to unfair standards and expected to be flawless 100% of the time, the struggle of having parents who are trying to be accepting but haven't quite figured it out yet, the way people can turn their trans loved ones into tokens to be objectified instead of cherishing them for who they truly are... There are so many good discussions within this short little story. �
� Representation: fat sapphic MC, trans questioning biracial MC, multiple BIPOC and/or queer side characters
� Content warnings for:
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this review copy in exchange for an honest review!
April 3, 2021
Sapphic cheerleaders? And one of them is trans? I couldn't download this fast enough.
And I really enjoyed this! It's fast-paced and funny, and I loved the art work. It really pulled me in and I laughed and cried reading this. It has the grumpy x sunshine dynamic, and it works SO well! These girls used to be friends before, but they grew apart, and now that they're both on the cheerleading team, they're reconnecting and falling in love. I absolutely adored the romance, and I loved the discussions on being trans and how hypervisible Bebe feels as a trans girl when she just wants to be herself, not be the center of attention.
And I really enjoyed this! It's fast-paced and funny, and I loved the art work. It really pulled me in and I laughed and cried reading this. It has the grumpy x sunshine dynamic, and it works SO well! These girls used to be friends before, but they grew apart, and now that they're both on the cheerleading team, they're reconnecting and falling in love. I absolutely adored the romance, and I loved the discussions on being trans and how hypervisible Bebe feels as a trans girl when she just wants to be herself, not be the center of attention.
April 7, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and Oni Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a cute, if quick, graphic novel, that I ended up really enjoying.
'Cheer Up' follows Annie, an angry, antisocial lesbian, and her ex-friend Bebe, a trans girl, their experiences with cheer practice, and the friendship-and-something-more that grows between them.
I really liked the way that Bebe's struggles were portrayed, because they were real and meaningful, especially with her struggle of being a 'spokesperson' for the trans community, and the microaggressions she faced as a result - what she wanted vs what everyone wanted for her.
The art was nice, and the storyline was quite cute, and there was a lot of diversity - not as something that was explicitly inserted into the story, but as something that was included because it's reality. While I did like the romance, I felt that it was rushed, and I would have loved to see the relationship blossom further between the girls, because it seemed a little like insta-love at times.
Overall, this graphic novel was really adorable, and I would definitely recommend it for everyone.
This was a cute, if quick, graphic novel, that I ended up really enjoying.
'Cheer Up' follows Annie, an angry, antisocial lesbian, and her ex-friend Bebe, a trans girl, their experiences with cheer practice, and the friendship-and-something-more that grows between them.
I really liked the way that Bebe's struggles were portrayed, because they were real and meaningful, especially with her struggle of being a 'spokesperson' for the trans community, and the microaggressions she faced as a result - what she wanted vs what everyone wanted for her.
The art was nice, and the storyline was quite cute, and there was a lot of diversity - not as something that was explicitly inserted into the story, but as something that was included because it's reality. While I did like the romance, I felt that it was rushed, and I would have loved to see the relationship blossom further between the girls, because it seemed a little like insta-love at times.
Overall, this graphic novel was really adorable, and I would definitely recommend it for everyone.
January 21, 2024
rep: half-white Latinx trans sapphic mc, lesbian mc, side nonbinary character, side Black characters, side brown characters
tw: transphobia, sexual harassment, fatphobia
This was probably one of the sweetest things I have read all year, and I couldn't be more happy about it. It's a super wholesome story, all about girls. They form strong friendships, they fight for each other, they have each other's back. Yes, they compete but they also encourage each other to grow.
And some of them fall in love, which is probably the greatest part. The romance isn't even really the main focus, it just kind of sneaks up on you while you become more and more attached to those girls. It's very tender and very beautiful.
tw: transphobia, sexual harassment, fatphobia
This was probably one of the sweetest things I have read all year, and I couldn't be more happy about it. It's a super wholesome story, all about girls. They form strong friendships, they fight for each other, they have each other's back. Yes, they compete but they also encourage each other to grow.
And some of them fall in love, which is probably the greatest part. The romance isn't even really the main focus, it just kind of sneaks up on you while you become more and more attached to those girls. It's very tender and very beautiful.
July 27, 2021
Ya'll know that I love a great graphic novel! I was provided this copy for review. All thoughts are my own
Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms is such a cute, yet dynamic graphic novel that focuses on two characters: Annie and BeeBee. The two characters are complete opposites. Annie is very confident in how she feels and doesn't have a problem speaking her mind; whereas, BeeBee is a people pleaser and is less likely to speak her mind. After having some issues, Annie is forced to join the cheerleading team where Annie is nominated as the team captain. It is clear from their interactions that Annie and BeeBee have had a relationship in the past, but they use this time on the cheerleading squad to attempt to rebuild it. A great portion of this graphic novel does revolve around BeeBee's insecurities in being out as a trans girl in school. She knows that people take advantage of her whether that's using her as the team captain to make the cheerleading squad look diverse or receiving unwanted attention from young men at the high school. I loved what Annie and BeeBee were able to build with each other through the cheerleading squad. Annie learns how to interact with people and BeeBee learns how to stand up for herself and they both find a love within each other that they weren't expecting. This graphic novel is just really heartwarming with beautiful art. I can't wait to see what final copies look like once it releases. If you're able to make sure you check it out.
Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms is such a cute, yet dynamic graphic novel that focuses on two characters: Annie and BeeBee. The two characters are complete opposites. Annie is very confident in how she feels and doesn't have a problem speaking her mind; whereas, BeeBee is a people pleaser and is less likely to speak her mind. After having some issues, Annie is forced to join the cheerleading team where Annie is nominated as the team captain. It is clear from their interactions that Annie and BeeBee have had a relationship in the past, but they use this time on the cheerleading squad to attempt to rebuild it. A great portion of this graphic novel does revolve around BeeBee's insecurities in being out as a trans girl in school. She knows that people take advantage of her whether that's using her as the team captain to make the cheerleading squad look diverse or receiving unwanted attention from young men at the high school. I loved what Annie and BeeBee were able to build with each other through the cheerleading squad. Annie learns how to interact with people and BeeBee learns how to stand up for herself and they both find a love within each other that they weren't expecting. This graphic novel is just really heartwarming with beautiful art. I can't wait to see what final copies look like once it releases. If you're able to make sure you check it out.
March 20, 2021
this is such a wholesome sapphic graphic novel!!
i loveÌýboth bold & abrasive annie and sweet & brave bebe. we quickly learn that they used to be friends years before, and it's interesting to watch them rediscover their friendship in a new context. the romance is soft and light, and our main characters share warm and fuzzy friendship moments with many members of the cheer team, too.
while bebe does face some blatant transphobia, there's also insight here into the emotional toll on trans people even when they don't experience a barrage of outright transphobia from their peers. bebe navigates her overbearing parents, microaggressions and harassment under the guise of support, and the pressure to be perfect in her new identity. her very serious struggles are balanced nicely with the sweetness of romance and friendship, as well as some humor.
my only criticism would be that the family conflict is tied up so quickly. it's a short book, and perhaps additional length would have allowed for more depth. it also reads really young, even though our characters are 17.
definitely recommended if you want an adorable and fluffy sapphic read with sweet and diverse characters!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
i loveÌýboth bold & abrasive annie and sweet & brave bebe. we quickly learn that they used to be friends years before, and it's interesting to watch them rediscover their friendship in a new context. the romance is soft and light, and our main characters share warm and fuzzy friendship moments with many members of the cheer team, too.
while bebe does face some blatant transphobia, there's also insight here into the emotional toll on trans people even when they don't experience a barrage of outright transphobia from their peers. bebe navigates her overbearing parents, microaggressions and harassment under the guise of support, and the pressure to be perfect in her new identity. her very serious struggles are balanced nicely with the sweetness of romance and friendship, as well as some humor.
my only criticism would be that the family conflict is tied up so quickly. it's a short book, and perhaps additional length would have allowed for more depth. it also reads really young, even though our characters are 17.
definitely recommended if you want an adorable and fluffy sapphic read with sweet and diverse characters!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
June 7, 2022
Such a cute and refreshing wlw romance. Cheer Up follows a trans girl whose the captain of her schools cheerleading team, and an anti-social lesbian who forces herself to join the cheer squad to learn better people skills.
We watch as these characters teach each other how to stand your ground but also how to let down your guard. For such a short read, it grapples with a lot of different and important topics.
It was such a sweet romance, I read it all in one sitting. Such a good read with a wide array of representation.
We watch as these characters teach each other how to stand your ground but also how to let down your guard. For such a short read, it grapples with a lot of different and important topics.
It was such a sweet romance, I read it all in one sitting. Such a good read with a wide array of representation.
March 12, 2021
Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms is an adorable and fluffy sapphic graphic novel with a trans main character that will definitely hit you right in the feelings! I love graphic novels featuring sports teams, and this was no exception. The friendships in this were so endearing and I loved all the character growth! There were some tough topics dealt in this too, like transphobia, microaggressions, fatphobia, harassment and controlling parents, but they were all dealt with very sensitively. I really liked that the fat characters didn't get a 'makeover' when they started working out, and were both athletic and still fat! The romance was so, so sweet, and yes, this graphic novel did make me cry at the end! It was so lovely to see a sapphic graphic novel with a trans girl at the heart of it and I really hope that this is just the first instalment in a series because I really want to see more of this cheer team!
Thanks to Netgalley and Oni Press for an eARC in return for an honest review!
Thanks to Netgalley and Oni Press for an eARC in return for an honest review!
September 16, 2021
A supercute and sweet story of teen friendship and romance that should appeal to fans of Check, Please! Heavy topics like transphobia, fetishizing, and microaggressions are touched on, and overprotective parents are dealt with, but it stays fun and uplifting as we follow a couple of girls just trying to survive high school. More please!
July 18, 2022
Annie is a smart, anti-social lesbian entering her senior year of high school with no extra curriculars on her college applications. An old friend, Beatriz, recently transitioned and joined the high school cheerleader team; Annie is convinced to give it a try, despite her reluctance. Annie and Beatriz rekindle their friendship and navigate the complexities of supporting each other, showing up for the team, and being true to themselves. At only 120 pages, this story is quite slight, but it packs a very sweet tight story into its low page count. I also really enjoyed the clear, uncluttered line art and loving character designs.
November 7, 2022
This comic about former best friends (a cis lesbian and a trans girl) falling in love on the cheerleading team was cute but not quite developed enough. I wanted more of everything and less of a rushed story. I think a bit of editorial work to flesh out the characters, their relationships with each other, and their motivations would have gone a long way. That said, there are a lot of poignant moments, careful attention to nuance, and fun illustrations.
April 8, 2021
Such a sweet and fun read. I would have loved it more if this was a series. But nontheless, the story is a very good and sweet coming of age school girls story. Annie is smart and a lesbian. BeeBee is struggling with keeping her image in the school. Both the characters are so different yet they bring joy when come together. I will definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a short and sweet feel good book. The ending was much needed. This is what we need to see in schools further on and be socially acceptable of everyone's views and choices.
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Thank You Oni Press and NetGalley for eARC in exchange for a honest opinion.
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Thank You Oni Press and NetGalley for eARC in exchange for a honest opinion.
March 17, 2021
This was really adorable! I loved how the author was able to discuss serious topics while also maintaining a lighthearted feel to the story.
May 10, 2021
CWs:
transphobia and transphobic comments, some fatphobic comments, and instances of sexual harassment
Queer sports comic starring sapphic cheerleaders and a transfemme MC? Yes please and thank you!
Cheer Up! is exactly the kind of comic that's perfectly suited for a visual medium. Not only does it showcase a Shineshine x Grumpy wlw ship dynamic, but it also normalizes fat bodies, brown bodies, and trans bodies in athletic spaces, which is incredibly needed. This is a story that's less about actual cheerleading and more about finding a sense of belonging, athletic teams functioning as found family and support systems, and learning how to socialize through organized sports. Though Bebe's squad doesn't always model perfect allyship, they accept her and support her and stick close to her in order to keep her safe in public spaces, and that's part of what makes her feel more confident in her own experience and expression of gender.
Above all else, I think this comic does a great job tackling discussions about hypervisibility for transfeminine folks, especially, and how transfemme people are often looked at and treated as spectacle rather than as individuals. Bebe fears not presenting in a hyperfeminine way because she's been conditioned to believe that presenting as anything less than "the perfect woman" makes her undesirable. She has a hard time confronting people, saying no, or standing up for herself because she doesn't want to be labelled as "aggressive" or "combative," especially when it already feels like people are "doing her a favor" by just letting her exist. The story really speaks to these unspoken standards of "perfection" that we hold trans people to, expecting them to perform to the extreme ends of the binary (whatever that means) in order for them to be "real," and not allowing them to make mistakes unless they prove themselves to be "one of the bad ones."
That's why I enjoyed the dynamic between Bebe and Annie, because through rekindling their friendship (and possibly more) Bebe is showing Annie how to be gentle, empathetic, and how to explore her own femininity, while Annie is showing Bebe how to be assertive, confident, and how to stand up for herself. It was nice to see their really sweet second-chance-friends-to-lovers dynamic blossom over the course of the story, and I was definitely cheering for them.
The only small set-backs for me were related to pace and story arc. Because comics are usually a faster-paced medium operating within a much smaller page count, some of the character development or realizations felt a bit sudden at times, which didn't allow for that full sense of satisfaction. And the other thing was that some of the side characters (both Bebe's own father and also her teammates) made some very pointed and anti-trans comments, and while they grow and learn over the course of the story, they're never made to account for those comments nor do we get to see how they reached those moments of growth. Overall, not anything that took away from my enjoyment of the story, but things that I would've liked to see explored further.
That said, if you're like me and you enjoy queer sports comics that are sweet, funny, and full of friendship, this is definitely one for you to add to your list!
Queer sports comic starring sapphic cheerleaders and a transfemme MC? Yes please and thank you!
Cheer Up! is exactly the kind of comic that's perfectly suited for a visual medium. Not only does it showcase a Shineshine x Grumpy wlw ship dynamic, but it also normalizes fat bodies, brown bodies, and trans bodies in athletic spaces, which is incredibly needed. This is a story that's less about actual cheerleading and more about finding a sense of belonging, athletic teams functioning as found family and support systems, and learning how to socialize through organized sports. Though Bebe's squad doesn't always model perfect allyship, they accept her and support her and stick close to her in order to keep her safe in public spaces, and that's part of what makes her feel more confident in her own experience and expression of gender.
Above all else, I think this comic does a great job tackling discussions about hypervisibility for transfeminine folks, especially, and how transfemme people are often looked at and treated as spectacle rather than as individuals. Bebe fears not presenting in a hyperfeminine way because she's been conditioned to believe that presenting as anything less than "the perfect woman" makes her undesirable. She has a hard time confronting people, saying no, or standing up for herself because she doesn't want to be labelled as "aggressive" or "combative," especially when it already feels like people are "doing her a favor" by just letting her exist. The story really speaks to these unspoken standards of "perfection" that we hold trans people to, expecting them to perform to the extreme ends of the binary (whatever that means) in order for them to be "real," and not allowing them to make mistakes unless they prove themselves to be "one of the bad ones."
That's why I enjoyed the dynamic between Bebe and Annie, because through rekindling their friendship (and possibly more) Bebe is showing Annie how to be gentle, empathetic, and how to explore her own femininity, while Annie is showing Bebe how to be assertive, confident, and how to stand up for herself. It was nice to see their really sweet second-chance-friends-to-lovers dynamic blossom over the course of the story, and I was definitely cheering for them.
The only small set-backs for me were related to pace and story arc. Because comics are usually a faster-paced medium operating within a much smaller page count, some of the character development or realizations felt a bit sudden at times, which didn't allow for that full sense of satisfaction. And the other thing was that some of the side characters (both Bebe's own father and also her teammates) made some very pointed and anti-trans comments, and while they grow and learn over the course of the story, they're never made to account for those comments nor do we get to see how they reached those moments of growth. Overall, not anything that took away from my enjoyment of the story, but things that I would've liked to see explored further.
That said, if you're like me and you enjoy queer sports comics that are sweet, funny, and full of friendship, this is definitely one for you to add to your list!
July 24, 2022
I don’t know why I was so reluctant to give this one a chance. It ended up blowing me away! The characters & relationships were so well-written. Annie and Beatrice made me melt 🥺� I loved how it tackled some important themes but kept a lighthearted tone. The art style was gorgeous too!
I highly recommend it if you like sports romance or second-chance friends-to-lovers pairings.
� Trigger warnings for .
â–� Representation: Annie (mc) is fat & a lesbian; Beatrice (mc) is biracial Latinx and a questioning sapphic trans girl.
� �
I highly recommend it if you like sports romance or second-chance friends-to-lovers pairings.
� Trigger warnings for .
â–� Representation: Annie (mc) is fat & a lesbian; Beatrice (mc) is biracial Latinx and a questioning sapphic trans girl.
� �
September 26, 2023
This was sooo cute and wholesoome i loved it so so much i can't even describe!!!! 100% recommend!!!!
June 20, 2022
Quentinho no coraçao!!!!!!!
June 26, 2022
GAY CHEERLEADERS!!! the impact that natasha lyonne has had on our society is immeasurable
cheer up: love and pompoms was such a cute and beautifully illustrated graphic novel! so warm and lighthearted. despite its short length the story still managed to cover very complex discussions and carry forward multiple storylines, even tho it did feel a bit rushed at times (i really wish this was longer).
personally, my favourite part of this was just how incredibly vivid both bebe and annie’s personalities were, their characters were very well developed and their relationship was soo sweet and adorable it’s unreal. i mean annie’s whole “mean and angry but only soft for one person� vibe? made for ME specifically. i LOVED her. yassified ronan lynch
cheer up: love and pompoms was such a cute and beautifully illustrated graphic novel! so warm and lighthearted. despite its short length the story still managed to cover very complex discussions and carry forward multiple storylines, even tho it did feel a bit rushed at times (i really wish this was longer).
personally, my favourite part of this was just how incredibly vivid both bebe and annie’s personalities were, their characters were very well developed and their relationship was soo sweet and adorable it’s unreal. i mean annie’s whole “mean and angry but only soft for one person� vibe? made for ME specifically. i LOVED her. yassified ronan lynch
May 6, 2021
Ok, honest to God! I knew this would be good but it surpassed my expectations� It's not perfect, but definitely great and worth reading!
There are two main characters in focus here: Annie, an antisocial lesbian who joins the cheerleading team in an effort to add team activities to her resume, and Bebe, a trans girl who is struggling to keep her parents happy with her grades and to maintain her new identity without being the centre of attention. Both the characters are depicted in a realistic way that will make you identify with their struggles irrespective of your gender or sexual preferences.
The way the story deals with insecurities, friendship, team spirit, and love is really commendable. There are so many lessons imbued within the straightforward storyline. The LGBTQIA+ representation is accurately depicted. I just wish the story hadn’t been so rushed. With just 123 pages and a lot to tell, the romance part of the plot seems too quick and abrupt. But this is also because I enjoyed the book so much that I wanted it to last longer. About 20-30 pages more would have been good enough to pace out the story.
Though the book is a standalone, it certainly has the potential to have a sequel. I would certainly like to see more of these characters.
I can’t let the review go by without mentioning the illustrations. They are fantabulous! It was a pleasure to read a graphic novel with not a single character drawn stereotypically. Especially when you think of cheerleaders, you know what kind of image comes to your head. Well, you won’t find a single cheerleader in this book fitting that mental picture. I adored this factor in the book.
Go for this for a light yet thought-provoking read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Oni Press, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
It's a 4.5 from me.
***
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There are two main characters in focus here: Annie, an antisocial lesbian who joins the cheerleading team in an effort to add team activities to her resume, and Bebe, a trans girl who is struggling to keep her parents happy with her grades and to maintain her new identity without being the centre of attention. Both the characters are depicted in a realistic way that will make you identify with their struggles irrespective of your gender or sexual preferences.
The way the story deals with insecurities, friendship, team spirit, and love is really commendable. There are so many lessons imbued within the straightforward storyline. The LGBTQIA+ representation is accurately depicted. I just wish the story hadn’t been so rushed. With just 123 pages and a lot to tell, the romance part of the plot seems too quick and abrupt. But this is also because I enjoyed the book so much that I wanted it to last longer. About 20-30 pages more would have been good enough to pace out the story.
Though the book is a standalone, it certainly has the potential to have a sequel. I would certainly like to see more of these characters.
I can’t let the review go by without mentioning the illustrations. They are fantabulous! It was a pleasure to read a graphic novel with not a single character drawn stereotypically. Especially when you think of cheerleaders, you know what kind of image comes to your head. Well, you won’t find a single cheerleader in this book fitting that mental picture. I adored this factor in the book.
Go for this for a light yet thought-provoking read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Oni Press, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
It's a 4.5 from me.
***
Join me on the Facebook group, , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram:
June 21, 2021
arc provided by publisher through netgalley
This was a short and sweet graphic novel about friendship and first love.
The book follows two characters, Annie who doesn't see the point in socalising, and Bebe, who recently came out as trans and has been doing her best to fit in at school.
These two pollar opposite personality types works well together. When the story starts, we find out that Bebe and Annie were friends prior to the story and Bebe's transition. There isn't much talk in how they stopped being friends outside of Annie resenting Bebe for becoming popular. I actually would've liked to see them talk more about their friendship prior to the story although it is clear they were close.
Annie joining the cheerleading team was lot of fun to see as she slowly opened herself up to friendships. It was fun to see that as well as her and Bebe have a sweet puppy love romance.
This was a super quick read and a really nice one at that.
This was a short and sweet graphic novel about friendship and first love.
The book follows two characters, Annie who doesn't see the point in socalising, and Bebe, who recently came out as trans and has been doing her best to fit in at school.
These two pollar opposite personality types works well together. When the story starts, we find out that Bebe and Annie were friends prior to the story and Bebe's transition. There isn't much talk in how they stopped being friends outside of Annie resenting Bebe for becoming popular. I actually would've liked to see them talk more about their friendship prior to the story although it is clear they were close.
Annie joining the cheerleading team was lot of fun to see as she slowly opened herself up to friendships. It was fun to see that as well as her and Bebe have a sweet puppy love romance.
This was a super quick read and a really nice one at that.
March 21, 2021
An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a sweet and powerful YA read!
I really enjoyed this graphic novel and all the themes it includes. Annie was just waiting to come out of her shell and she truly did shine in the cheerleading team. Also, seeing Bebe find her voice and speak her mind was great, you could actually see that she needed to do that so bad. Moreover I really liked how the concepts of friends and being there for each other were explored.
I would totally read more adventures about this cheerleading squad!
This was such a sweet and powerful YA read!
I really enjoyed this graphic novel and all the themes it includes. Annie was just waiting to come out of her shell and she truly did shine in the cheerleading team. Also, seeing Bebe find her voice and speak her mind was great, you could actually see that she needed to do that so bad. Moreover I really liked how the concepts of friends and being there for each other were explored.
I would totally read more adventures about this cheerleading squad!
May 3, 2021
Content warnings: transphobia, outing, sexual harassment
This was so cute and wholesome!
Annie Ginter has excellent grades and doesn’t care about having no friends, but she needs extracurricular activities for college application. Her mom suggests cheerleading and Annie is not happy. But when Beatrice Diaz (trans) decides to take Annie in on the team, the pair start spending more time together. Beatrice helps Annie make friends on the team and Annie speaks up when people mistreats Beatrice. They grow together, and so does everyone else around them.
First of all, a romance between a grumpy lesbian and a sweet transgirl? Yes! And the fact that Annie remains fat while being a flyer and after gruesome workouts also makes me very happy. As for the art, the facial expressions of the characters are very expressive. I love Annie’s grumpy and exhausted faces and BeBe’s surprised and happy ones. On top of that, I also love that each cheerleader on the Flying Cranes team have the different body types, height, and styles. Oh, and Annie’s mom is a tattooed plant mom! How wonderful is that?
The story addresses a lot of problematic “trans allyship� that BeBe is afraid to speak up about. Even though the cheerleading team seems supportive, their teammates sees her more like a diversity checkbox than being true allies. BeBe’s parents also consider her transition as a luxury instead of a necessity and their protectiveness of BeBe is very misguided. The main plot isn’t just about Annie and BeBe’s relationship growth, but also about how their friends and family begin to understand what it is to be supportive of their loved ones and reflecting on their own harmful behaviors.
Throughout the read, I wonder why Annie and BeBe stopped being friends two years ago. Did it have anything to do with her coming out? It was never discussed and yet I feel like it is such an important part of their relationship. I also couldn’t grasp why the creepster dude was so popular. But despite these parts, Cheer Up! is overall a wonderful and wholesome story.
If you want a cute graphic novel about a transgirl in sports and some sweet romance, Cheer Up! is going to make you very happy upon finishing.
I received a digital review copy from Oni Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was so cute and wholesome!
Annie Ginter has excellent grades and doesn’t care about having no friends, but she needs extracurricular activities for college application. Her mom suggests cheerleading and Annie is not happy. But when Beatrice Diaz (trans) decides to take Annie in on the team, the pair start spending more time together. Beatrice helps Annie make friends on the team and Annie speaks up when people mistreats Beatrice. They grow together, and so does everyone else around them.
First of all, a romance between a grumpy lesbian and a sweet transgirl? Yes! And the fact that Annie remains fat while being a flyer and after gruesome workouts also makes me very happy. As for the art, the facial expressions of the characters are very expressive. I love Annie’s grumpy and exhausted faces and BeBe’s surprised and happy ones. On top of that, I also love that each cheerleader on the Flying Cranes team have the different body types, height, and styles. Oh, and Annie’s mom is a tattooed plant mom! How wonderful is that?
The story addresses a lot of problematic “trans allyship� that BeBe is afraid to speak up about. Even though the cheerleading team seems supportive, their teammates sees her more like a diversity checkbox than being true allies. BeBe’s parents also consider her transition as a luxury instead of a necessity and their protectiveness of BeBe is very misguided. The main plot isn’t just about Annie and BeBe’s relationship growth, but also about how their friends and family begin to understand what it is to be supportive of their loved ones and reflecting on their own harmful behaviors.
Throughout the read, I wonder why Annie and BeBe stopped being friends two years ago. Did it have anything to do with her coming out? It was never discussed and yet I feel like it is such an important part of their relationship. I also couldn’t grasp why the creepster dude was so popular. But despite these parts, Cheer Up! is overall a wonderful and wholesome story.
If you want a cute graphic novel about a transgirl in sports and some sweet romance, Cheer Up! is going to make you very happy upon finishing.
I received a digital review copy from Oni Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2021
3.25 stars
thank you netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Cheer Up follows the story of Annie, an anti-social lesbian. She is abrasive and picks fights but has to change and make friends if she wants to get into a good college. Bebe is a trans girl. She hates to be the centre of attention but she always is because of who she is. Her parents are way too overprotective and she has a constant struggle between who she is and who everybody wants her to be.
Annie and Bebe are ex best friends who stopped talking for about two years (we were not given a reason why) but now, they are on the cheerleading squad together where Bebe stands up for Annie and that rekindles their friendship.
I think everything in the book was done very realistically with their struggles with being who they were and everybody around them reacting to it. but what I didn't like was that we didn't really get to see much or anything at all of their relationship. I would've really loved to see them become friends and then gradually fall in love but I didn't get that. Also, I felt many things were resolved too fast like her parents going from extremely overprotective to letting her go out right the next scene and also the whole Jonah thing.
nonetheless, it was an adorable, cute and fast read that I enjoyed and finished in one sitting.
thank you netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Cheer Up follows the story of Annie, an anti-social lesbian. She is abrasive and picks fights but has to change and make friends if she wants to get into a good college. Bebe is a trans girl. She hates to be the centre of attention but she always is because of who she is. Her parents are way too overprotective and she has a constant struggle between who she is and who everybody wants her to be.
Annie and Bebe are ex best friends who stopped talking for about two years (we were not given a reason why) but now, they are on the cheerleading squad together where Bebe stands up for Annie and that rekindles their friendship.
I think everything in the book was done very realistically with their struggles with being who they were and everybody around them reacting to it. but what I didn't like was that we didn't really get to see much or anything at all of their relationship. I would've really loved to see them become friends and then gradually fall in love but I didn't get that. Also, I felt many things were resolved too fast like her parents going from extremely overprotective to letting her go out right the next scene and also the whole Jonah thing.
nonetheless, it was an adorable, cute and fast read that I enjoyed and finished in one sitting.
Read
February 10, 2022«Cheerleaders: orgullo y pompones» es un cómic juvenil muy amable y lleno de encanto. Cuenta una historia con varias capas sobre la amistad femenina, la búsqueda de la propia identidad y la celebración de la diferencia.
Annie es una empollona con pocas habilidades sociales que necesita sumar a su currÃculum actividades extraescolares que hagan más atractivas sus solicitudes a la universidad; Bea es una chica trans que ha empezado su proceso de transición recientemente y que aún se siente muy insegura en relación a las expectativas sociales y familiares con respecto a ella: la amistad de ambas empodera a la otra y les hace ver la vida de una nueva manera.
En esta historia subyacen un montón de temas sociales que, si bien no se desarrollan en profundidad porque es una obra muy enfocada al público juvenil y nunca pierde el tono divertido, son de bastante interés para un público de una horquilla más amplia. Esta obra tan simpática y que te deja con una sonrisa en la boca es un buen fichaje para la biblioteca escolar de cualquier centro que quiera ampliar su catálogo con cómics que celebren la diversidad.
Annie es una empollona con pocas habilidades sociales que necesita sumar a su currÃculum actividades extraescolares que hagan más atractivas sus solicitudes a la universidad; Bea es una chica trans que ha empezado su proceso de transición recientemente y que aún se siente muy insegura en relación a las expectativas sociales y familiares con respecto a ella: la amistad de ambas empodera a la otra y les hace ver la vida de una nueva manera.
En esta historia subyacen un montón de temas sociales que, si bien no se desarrollan en profundidad porque es una obra muy enfocada al público juvenil y nunca pierde el tono divertido, son de bastante interés para un público de una horquilla más amplia. Esta obra tan simpática y que te deja con una sonrisa en la boca es un buen fichaje para la biblioteca escolar de cualquier centro que quiera ampliar su catálogo con cómics que celebren la diversidad.
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