Ciel in All Directions (Ciel #2)

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