Ok, honest to God! I knew this would be good but it surpassed my expectations… It's not perfect, but definitely great and worth reading!

There are two main characters in focus here: Annie, an antisocial lesbian who joins the cheerleading team in an effort to add team activities to her resume, and Bebe, a trans girl who is struggling to keep her parents happy with her grades and to maintain her new identity without being the centre of attention. Both the characters are depicted in a realistic way that will make you identify with their struggles irrespective of your gender or sexual preferences.

The way the story deals with insecurities, friendship, team spirit, and love is really commendable. There are so many lessons imbued within the straightforward storyline. The LGBTQIA representation is accurately depicted. I just wish the story hadn’t been so rushed. With just 123 pages and a lot to tell, the romance part of the plot seems too quick and abrupt. But this is also because I enjoyed the book so much that I wanted it to last longer. About 20-30 pages more would have been good enough to pace out the story.

Though the book is a standalone, it certainly has the potential to have a sequel. I would certainly like to see more of these characters.

I can’t let the review go by without mentioning the illustrations. They are fantabulous! It was a pleasure to read a graphic novel with not a single character drawn stereotypically. Especially when you think of cheerleaders, you know what kind of image comes to your head. Well, you won’t find a single cheerleader in this book fitting that mental picture. I adored this factor in the book.

Go for this for a light yet thought-provoking read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Oni Press, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

It's a 4.5 from me.


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Intended for a teen auience
Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms
Frasier, Crystal
Oni Press (2021), Edition: 01, 128 pages

I enjoyed this love story and come of age tale. The characters were interesting yet somehow could have been more relatable, something was missing that made it feel unrealistic. ( )

this was so good! ( )

You know what, suddenly I DO like sports stories! Other stories that "Cheer Up" have been compared to were a bust for me personally, but this one was delightful and I adore the main characters. I'd love to see a sequel to this!! ( )

teen graphic fiction - antisocial lesbian Annie Ginter joins cheer squad to round out her college app, reunites with ex-friend trans people-pleasing cheer captain Beatrice Diaz.

not quite an enemies-to-lovers story, since they seem more like friends who drifted apart (though there is another girl on the team who had suffered a bite from Annie), but actually a very cute queer rom-com situation, with appropriate conflicts (Bea struggling to deal with overprotective parents and a persistent boy suitor who won't take a hint/keeps harassing her; another student on the squad who decides to come out to their team as nonbinary). This was a joy to read and I'd love to see more.

February2024 bingo challenge: made you laugh, couple on cover, under 290 pages , award winner ( )

Such a sweet and caring story! This story involves personal growth, acceptance, and love.

High School is tough but through in things like being transgender and it becomes even more challenging. I love that BeBe and Annie were there to support one another and showed that a good support system is just as important for navigating life's difficulties in addition to being able to stand up for one's self. ( )

3.75 ( )

3.5, why in gods name doesn’t goodreads have half stars ( )

This book has been popping up EVERYWHERE for me. Reviews, ads, the works! I could hardly believe how much one book popped up so much, and I work in Marketing - I know how that stuff works. I saw it on NetGalley and decided... Why not? I love cheerleading, graphic novels and fun! So it was time for me to venture into a quirky adventure!

My Notes:

1. The illustrations are on point! I seriously dig the fun and quirky vibe they give off. It makes the book very engaging, fun and colourful. Props to the illustrators!

2. The first few pages along sum up how I felt about high school: Why did it matter if you could throw a ball good or be super popular? Extracurriculars are great, but sometimes I think colleges need to consider the mental health and overall well being of their students. And anyways, how does being a good basketball player say you'll be a good community member or team player? Most of the people I went to high school with who were in sports were absolute terrors in the post-secondary careers. Something to chew on, I guess.

3. Cheerleading tryout flyer with a pigeon dressed up as a cheerleader - This is my new standard. Good luck meeting it marketing teams. This high school gets it.

4. LGBT representation. We meet a cheer team's 1st transgender cheerleader. I wasn't aware at first, and then it made me proud.

5. Beatrice makes me even more proud with how she stands up for others. I wish we had more strong people like Beatrice around. Gold stars for Beatrice.

6. There are so many good quotes in here. Seriously, these writers also deserve some gold stars. Beatrice can share.

7. Can I smack Beatrice's parents? Transitioning is not "a luxury". Geez Louise. And the other parents who don't treat her well? Seriously, give this girl her rights and stop acting like you're the centre of the universe. This book shows the awful side of humanity really well.

8. There are some super cute and sweet moments that I won't spoil... BUT OMG THIS BOOK. My heart! It feels so real and reminds me of high school, but with some more current issues.

9. I NEED A FOLLOW-UP THIS IS SO SWEET HOLY MOLY.

Anywho, I highly recommend this book. LGBT awareness, high school romance, cheerleading and fun! It's a fast read with lots of spunky high school drama.

Five out of five stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. ( )

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 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. 😉 ( )

What a wonderful book. It packs a fantastic and heartfelt message in so few pages. Beebee is a quite trans girl who is active in cheerleading, Annie a hell on wheels personality that just wants to be left alone. However, Annie’s anti-social personality might make it hard to get into college no matter how good her grades and test scores. So at her mother’s behest, she joins cheerleading. Annie and Beebee used to be friends, before Beebee transitioned. Their friendship is rekindled through cheer. Annie learns to be more social and get along with people, and Beebee leans to stand up for herself, not just to classmates who think they are doing the right thing, but also to her overprotective parents. This book is just so heartwarming. From page one to the end, a reader wants to know these girls, and be part of the squad. It is so reaffirming to see that the cheer mates, cheer for more than sports. They cheer for their teammates to be the best they can be, and to be themselves. There is everything to love about this book. EVERYTHING. ( )

Pom poms & friendship

Cute graphic novel about discovering self along with building friendships. Well drawn, colors were perfect for the story. Would like to see more of these characters. ( )

A timid trans girl and an angry lesbian rekindle their friendship through the power of cheerleading, and maybe fall in love a little along the way, too.

I really appreciated how the story high lighted the micro-aggressions around the main character. How she constantly had to balance with how other people's actions made her feel while never being allowed to stop considering how her own actions would be perceived. How the actions and words of even the most ardent ally could be hurtful, no matter how good a place they might have been coming from.

A really good read for someone like me, who doesn't really have any trans people (that I know of) in my own small circle of people, and still consider myself an ally. I'm sure I'd manage to make a lot of the same mistakes that Bebe's friends made, even if I'd never be shitty on purpose.

Highly recommend. ( )

I loved the artwork! Very vibrant. I enjoyed the cute fluff. The conflict in this was minimal. I felt relaxed while reading this. I enjoyed the queer representation even if this felt a bit rushed.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

This was a sweet high school love story. Perfect for when you just want to read something short and cute. ( )

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 ( )

Annie is smart but prickly and doesn't care what other people think. Bebe is a people-pleasing transgender girl who's just been elected cheerleader captain. The two former friends reconnect on the cheer squad and support each other, eventually forming a romantic relationship. A fast-paced and funny slice of high school life featuring distinct and relatable protagonists. ( )

A graphic novel for teens about authenticity, defying expectations, and standing up for your friends. It's short and sweet and highlights the growing friendship of Annie, an anti-social, mean girl who is being forced to join the cheerleading teem and Bebe, a trans girl who just wants to make sure everyone is happy and comfortable around her - even at the expense of her feelings. This book manages to convey the importance of speaking up for yourself and supporting those who are different from you, not because they are different, but because they are human too, without being preachy or droll. While the two girls are becoming friends they discover that their emotions might run a little deeper. Cute, charming, and wholesome. ( )

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 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. ( )

A supercute and sweet story of teen friendship and romance that should appeal to fans of Check, Please! Heavy topics like transphobia, fetishizing, and microaggressions are touched on, and overprotective parents are dealt with, but it stays fun and uplifting as we follow a couple of girls just trying to survive high school. More please! ( )

This was a cute story. A couple of girls with very different personalities help each other and learn to incorporate the best parts of the others' worldview, and fall in love. The relationship Beatrice has with her parents was a little underdeveloped or underexplained—there were a lot of comments and interactions that were cruel, and weren't at all explained or apologized for. Actually, there were a few things introduced that I thought didn't see quite enough resolution. But the relationship between the girls is perfect, and it was a good story and beautifully drawn. ( )