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Reviewed by: Lisa Rice, Middle School Librarian Title: This Day Changes Everything Author: Edward Underhill Publisher: Wednesday Books
Year: 2024 Good for Grades: 7-10 Genre/Type of Book: YA romance, LGBTQ+, humor
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: some language
Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: I read some good reviews about this book and I liked the setting- New York City! The premise was that the main character read a romance novel and wanted to act out the romantic parts in NYC and I thought that sounded fun.
If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be:
"There are always queer people. Just because you can't see them, doesn't mean they aren't there. It's not like we all wear a pride flag on our foreheads or something." -Ida, page 132
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Abby finds out that her marching band has been chosen to go to NYC for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and march in it. She has a crush on her best friend, Kat Wu, who plays flute, and she is going to tell Kat how she feels about her on this trip. They have both read and loved the same romance novel that takes place in NYC, and Abby hopes to reenact some of the scenes with Kat. Abby isn't sure if she is gay, and is not sure if Kat is gay, and Abby is trying to figure it all out. Abby is sure the Universe is magical and has her back, and everything will work out perfectly.
On another bus, another school band is headed to NYC to march in the parade. Leo, a trans boy, is sure the Universe is working against him. All the time. He is anxious about marching in the parade because his extended family doesn't know he is trans and just wants to believe he is a tomboy. He will be seen by them on TV on Thanksgiving Day and is concerned how his extended family is going to react, especially since his immediate family is just coming to terms with Leo's decision. He calls the trip "Thanksgiving Outageddon." Leo's best friend tries to help, assuring him that he is so short that the cameras probably won't even be able to catch him marching by, and they will only see the gold feather on his hat. As Leo says, "How does the Universe hate me? Let me count the ways," (p.16) as he tries not to throw up due to motion sickness on the twelve-hour bus ride.
The story is told from both Abby and Leo's points of view. It has a Dash and Lily vibe to it. The NYC setting is a lot of fun! It is exciting to experience the city for the first time through the eyes of high schoolers living in small towns and it definitely makes you want to go visit NYC! If I were reading this book to a class, I would want to have pictures available of all the places and things they see in NYC.
I also learned a lot about the Thanksgiving Day parade and what it takes to be invited to march in the parade. The years of practice, fundraising, planning, trying to get to NYC during a holiday, plus the practice in the early morning hours, all in hopes you might be seen on TV. I need to pay more attention to the marching bands from now on!
From Leo, I learned a lot about what it feels like to be trans, and have your family be in the "it's-cool-you're-trans-but-please-not-in-front-of-your-relatives" phase. Leo talks about how he hates that his family still uses his dead name and says that his identity is just his identity and wonders why it is such a big deal to everyone. One of Leo's comments that hit home with me is, "My pronouns are he, him, his. Those aren't preferred, they just are." (p.225) I thought how many times I have seen or heard the phrase "preferred pronouns" and thought that was fine. There is discussion about the difference between sexuality and gender identity. We witness Leo trying to decide which bathroom to use when you are trans and there's only a ladies' room and a gentlemen's room. It's heartbreaking.
Abby struggles with whether or not she is gay. She is attracted to Kat, and she is also attracted to Leo. She questions why everything has to come with a label. Abby has a great point on page 129- "Because nobody talks about this stuff, unless they're trying to ban talking about this stuff." As Kat points out, "You don't really need a label to fall in love with someone, do you?" (p.256) I loved the conversations the characters had in this book. They made me think, reflect, and they didn't feel forced or preachy. Although this is a YA book, I would consider it for my middle school library as I just love the conversations in it. They are so important.
The characters talk about the importance of teachers using correct pronouns (not preferred) and a person's chosen name. Secondary characters would outright ask for someone's pronouns, making it more comfortable for me to do this. It highlighted the importance of gender-neutral bathrooms. Abby points out that in Westvale, Missouri, where she is from, no one has ever heard a teacher say gay because someone might get upset or complain.
Besides learning about being trans, possibly being gay, the Thanksgiving Day parade, and all the sights and sounds of NYC, the book is a fun romantic comedy. It is the trip to NYC we all wish we could take in high school. Fabulous adventures, avoiding chaperones, and exploring a great city where no one cares what your label is. This book is about finding yourself and finding love. I loved the themes of friendship, romance, fate, coming out, and dealing with your family. I loved the representation in the characters. It was truly fun spending time in NYC with them, and I loved all that they made me think about.
Number of party hats:
For more information about this book, see the Publishers Website
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