Crystal Frasier

The book synopsis for Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms encompasses the story’s premise to a T. It’s a young adult graphic novel following two teens, Annie and Bebe, who rekindle their friendship and more through cheerleading. Annie tries out for the cheerleading squad because her school resume is far from well-rounded. She’s academically inclined, but her prickly personality makes it hard to build friendships. And then there’s Bebe, a transgender teen, navigating life in her truth as she show more balances dealing with her overprotective parents and wading through uncomfortable situations with her classmates and teammates.

I picked Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms after Elin at @LunaciaBooks mentioned it in her QueerLitRead TBR video. I love graphic novels, so why not see if I enjoy this one?

Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms is sincere, and regardless of their frequency in panel scenes, supporting characters in the story are purposefully written and memorable. A key takeaway for me is how the story encodes gentle reminders that the treatment and support of transgender people require communication, not assumptions. You know what they say about operating based on assumptions. When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me (lol). Assume less and talk and listen more! It’s literally the least that any can do. 🙂

Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms is an overall enjoyable read. My only wish is that it was longer (lol).

I hope the creators are working on another graphic novel. I’m curious to know about the events before or after what happened in Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms. Like…what did Annie and Bebe’s friendship look like before they put a pause on it? I’m nosy and I want to know (lol).

If you’ve read this graphic novel, let me know if you wish for more to the story or more installments.

If you haven’t read it yet, go pick it up. You won’t regret it. 😉 show less

Trigger Warnings: Transphobia

Annie is a smart, antisocial lesbian under pressure to be a part of a team for her senior year of high school - to both makes friends and round out her college applications. Her mom convinces her to try out for the cheerleading squad. Beebee, a trans girl, is a people pleaser who must keep her parents happy with her grades and social life in order to keep their support on her transition. Through cheer squad training, Annie and Beebee reconnect their old show more friendship and together, they must tackle social pressures, micro aggressions, and other queer youth struggles, all while discovering there may be something else springing up between them.

What wonderful messages this graphic novel has! It's way more than cheerleading; this story is entertaining as well as eye opening. It talks about what it means to be trans and how one can be a better ally, even for those who think they're the best ally. It's definitely a book I wish was around when I was growing up and first learning about the LGBTQ community.

Though the book was fast paced, everything was well developed and you got to learn and understand both the main characters. Annie and Beebee had great character development and they both learned from each other. I also loved the team dynamic and the growth they all had together as they began trusting one another.

Kudos for the parents in this novel as well. Annie's mom was probably my favorite parental figure by how supportive she is of Annie and who she is. Beebee's Dad has a good moment as well in the storyline.

Overall, this graphic novel was lighthearted and fluffy - even while dealing with some tough subject matter. I would highly recommend this to fans of adorable romances as well as those who would like to see some great representation. show less

It was, in fact, adorable. It's high school. Anne is a very smart, high achieving but antisocial senior, pressured by her mom to join the cheerleading squad to round out her college applications. Her ex-friend Bebe is a recently out trans girl who has become super popular and is about to be elected cheer captain. It looks like it is going to be a classic grumpy-sunshine, except Bebe is a people-pleaser with overbearing parents who avoids anything that looks like confrontation. Annie has show more never met a confrontation she didn't like and is known for biting people (one time!). So they are good for each other in interesting, complicated ways, and yes, they do catch feelings.

There is some trans-misogyny here, so it isn't all hearts and pompoms, but it is dealt with in a light hand. Would be appropriate for both high school and middle grade students. show less

OMG!!!!! What an absolute squishy delight of a book. eeeeeeeee! Not only does it feature a very sweet teen romance, but it's all about learning how to be good to the people around you and how to stand up to yourself and cheerleading and queer girlies. Also super supportive families (sometimes over supportive), and trans main character and the BEST cheer squad. All the hearts, it's wonderful!!!! And the ART is Fabulous!

advanced reader's copy provided by Oni Press