Ciel In All Directions

August 1, 2021
A transgender student takes on new experiences, from an awakening crush to student council elections. Twelve-year-old Brazilian Canadian Ciel--who is starting their first year of secondary school--showcases their sense of humor and speaks out about transphobia on their growing YouTube channel with the help of their younger brother. When their science and technology teacher assigns their class a project about mastering a new skill, Ciel decides to pick something that will improve their videos. However, more challenges appear on the horizon for Ciel, like their unfamiliar romantic feelings for their friend Liam, a White transgender boy, and upcoming elections for president of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance, who will also serve on the student council. Set in Montr�al, the book depicts natural, casual cultural diversity through side characters such as Ciel's Arabic-speaking classmate Frank, among others. Although Ciel has an outgoing side, they begin the narrative with a lot of insecurities that, refreshingly, have nothing to do with their trans identity. Each time they step outside their comfort zone, they grow and expand their perspective about privacy and consent, relationships, and their own value, even when the outcome plays out differently than they hoped. The conflict around the student council elections offers an important critique of empty hashtags used for mass appeal that do nothing to challenge injustice. A bright and open story. (Fiction. 10-14)

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August 13, 2021

Gr 4 Up-Ciel Sousa chose their first name (which means "sky" in French) as it reflects their feeling of being neither all boy nor all girl. Twelve years old and transgender, Ciel has a supportive Brazilian-immigrant dad, a true best friend, a new friend who might be more, and all the anxieties facing their first year in a Montreal high school. Translated from the original French, this book picks up after the first book in the series, Ciel, but the author fills readers in on characters and plot lines quickly so that it works as a stand-alone. Ciel has a video channel they use to call out issues and to post funny videos starring Ciel's little brother's alter ego. The story follows Ciel to a LGBTQ+ support center, through a student council election, and through their growing feelings for new friend Liam, among other things. Those looking for plot twists, major adversaries, or life-changing revelations will be disappointed, but the story ambles through enough enjoyable episodes to make it an entertaining short read. As Mael-a, an older, nonbinary friend of Ciel says, "Even your silly videos, where you're just goofing around, they help, because they show that we, too, are allowed to have fun. That our lives aren't just melodramatic stories like the ones you see on TV or in books. It's crucial for people like us to have our own platforms." This book provides that platform for young readers with hilarity and heart. VERDICT A good addition to any middle grade collection desiring true-to-life stories of LGBTQ+ kids.-Kate Fleming, Hosford M.S., Portland, OR

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2021
Grades 6-8 Labelle's story, translated from the original French by Zanin, centers on 12-year-old Ciel, a new secondary schooler who identifies as nonbinary and trans. Ciel's energetic and eager voice, as well as their passion for life and appreciation for all types of people, shines through the pages as they embark upon school adventures with their best friend, Stephie, and new friend, Liam. Bearing a sweet nostalgic air for school days, Labelle's narrative revolves around relatable situations for readers, from science projects and school assignments to attempting to build and maintain a social circle while exploring one's own self-expression and identities. Working on everything from posters and clubs to their own budding YouTube channel, Ciel is one busy person, and their multiple passions are sure to inspire motivated readers. When Ciel and their friends become involved in a campaign to represent their school's LGBTQ+ Alliance, these charming and likable characters become even busier than they could have imagined, spreading messages of respect, acceptance, and friendship.

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