Title: Cheer Up! Love and Pompoms
Author: Crystal Frasier
Publisher: Oni Press
Publication date: August 10, 2021
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Summary
In order to round out her college applications, Annie is pressured into joining the cheerleading squad. Since she’s known to be pretty antisocial, her mom thinks this will be the perfect time for her to make friends. Annie begrudingly joins the team, not really expecting to get much out of it.
However, what it does do is rekindle Annie’s friendship with BeeBee. BeeBee is a trans girl, trying to keep her parents happy with her grades and her social life. The two strike a pact to help each other. BeeBee helps Annie train, while Annie helps BeeBee with her grades. And maybe, just maybe, something a little more than friendship sparks there.
Review: Cheer Up
Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for an advanced copy of this to review! One of my most anticipated releases, and I am extremely happy to say it lived up to the hype! Plus, it fills in a gap that can be found in YA graphic novels.
Let me start by saying once you start this, you won’t want to put it down. Not only is the art great, but the characters grab you right from the beginning. Annie is rough around the edges, and BeeBee is incredibly sweet. I love the way their relationship grows throughout the story, and I would absolutely read more about them. Honestly, I would read a whole series about them and their cheerleading squad!
Frasier packs lot in this relatively short graphic novel. There are a lot of great discussions about trans women and the standards society holds them to. BeeBee struggles with this throughout the book, but her friends help her to find her voice. Especially Annie! They complement each other so well, and I just loved their relationship so much.
All in all, if you loved the graphic novels Fence and Check, Please, I think you will love this when it comes out in August!
5 stars