This book was beautiful and painful and sweet and sincere. It deals with some really hard topics, weaving them together with hope and powerful friendship. I rarely *feel* so deeply while reading. I wanted to respond to Rowan. I hope you read this book and feel it too. ( )

This is an epistolary novel the author describes as "a gift to my 10-year-old self." It's based on the author's own experiences as a trans child. I started out listening to the audiobook, but it didn't hold my attention. I switched to the print book and still could not get into it. The form of this book is reminiscent of [b:The Perks of Being a Wallflower|22628|The Perks of Being a Wallflower|Stephen Chbosky|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1650033115l/22628._SX50_.jpg|2236198] (letters to an unknown recipient, feels like a diary). It was maybe too realistic -- like reading actual found letters instead of a coherent novel. The tone was overwhelmingly sad for me.

As with the books [b:George|40948486|George|Alex Gino|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532559186l/40948486._SX50_.jpg|44165520], [b:Everything Sad Is Untrue|45916267|Everything Sad Is Untrue (a true story)|Daniel Nayeri|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579708868l/45916267._SY75_.jpg|70768669], and [b:Out of My Mind|6609765|Out of My Mind|Sharon M. Draper|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347602096l/6609765._SX50_.jpg|6803732], I recognize the value of the story but I didn't enjoy it or find it well-written. They all felt like something I was forced to read for school, but in reality I was the one forcing myself to read them because they are about important topics that are underrepresented in children's literature. They all got good reviews from professional journals. But what can I say? Despite the very compelling subject matter I found the book itself a slog. ( )

Painful and powerful book on the subject of trans awakening and childhood sexual abuse. The story is related in letters that Rowan attaches to balloons and releases when he needs an outlet to be heard. There's a surprising hopefullness to it, but it's also, as advertised, a hard read. The author shares that some of the experiences are based on their own life in the notes at the end. ( )

Literary Merit: Great
Characterization: Great
Recommended: Yes
Level:Middle school

Comments: Lexie Bean created an incredible story that everyone should read.

Rowan is a 5th grader in the late 90s who is very lonely. Rowan writes letters and attaches them to a balloon as often as they can. Inside the letter’s Rowan confesses that he was born as a girl but he doesn’t believe he is a girl. Within the course of the letters Rowan switches between names when they sign the letter. The letters vary in topic. Topics include loneliness, sexual identity, sexual assault, sexual abuse, substance abuse, homophobia, and bullying.

Adults who work with youths should read this book. The section where Rowan’s teacher calls them by Rowan is important. You never know what a youth is going through and you could be the only adult in their life who is kind to them. ( )

Recommended by Amy H.

Told as a series of letters from 10-year-old Rowan Beck throughout his fifth-grade year of school, The Ship We Built has similarities to the YA novel The Perks of Being A Wallflower ("Dear Friend..."). Rowan writes questioning, diary-style letters and attaches them to balloons that he releases into the sky.

Through the letters, it becomes clear that Rowan's home life is awful: his dad comes into his room at night, and while there are no details, it's pretty clear it's an abuse/incest situation. At school, Rowan's old friends have pulled away, but Rowan becomes friends with Sofie, who accepts Rowan for who he is (a trans boy, before either of them have the words for that; the book is set during the 1997-1998 school year, and is full of references to the Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys, best friend necklaces and friendship bracelets, and fruit-by-the-foot and gushers).

Rowan's last letter is somewhat hopeful; he has called a number his teacher left in his yearbook and is considering telling his mom what his dad has been doing. An epilogue is a letter from another quiet classmate, who found one of Rowan's letters and responded with one of his own.

Painfully intimate.

Quotes

How am I supposed to walk into a room with confidence if nobody wants me there? (7)

Do you ever have to cover something that you don't want to? (61)

Do you ever lie? I think I probably lie more to myself than to anybody. (120)

I don't know. To be honest, neither the boy nor the girl option is feeling very good right now. Aren't there other things to choose from? (180)

I am sick of people telling me I am bad when I feel good and telling me I am good when I feel bad. (188)

I'm starting to think that maybe kids aren't supposed to be treated like the way I get treated sometimes. (215)

Are there things that keep you from asking what you want to? (245) ( )