“I would freeze history if I could. Right here, this exact moment, this is my favorite point on the timeline.”
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Content Warnings: Touches the subjects of racism and discrimination.
“Yes No Maybe So” follows Maya and Jamie as they rekindle their childhood friendship, become active in their local government issues, and maybe, just maybe, fall in love. Directly showcasing the reality of racism and discrimination, and how we’re able to fight them with even the smallest of actions, this book could be a great resource for teachers and librarians who’d like to empower young readers.
This was my first time reading Aisha Saeed’s writing, but I can’t wait to read some more of her books. I assume her chapters were the Maya chapters, and I must say these were some of my favorites. Then there’s Becky Albertalli, who is easily one of my favorite authors. I know her books aren’t aimed to my age group, but I still thoroughly enjoy them.
“Yes No Maybe So” is a perfect example of why teenage advocacy is both valid and necessary. Because, yes, even if they can’t vote, their opinions matter.
But you want to know what “Yes No Maybe So” was not? It was not a fair representation of any of the religions and cultural backgrounds (and sexual identities) that were supposed to be included. It felt like these backgrounds were written in just for the sake of being inclusive.
I would recommend this book to high schoolers (and some middle schoolers) who are interested in making a change. And really, I would recommend it to just about anyone who likes YA fiction too. It’s a good book. It’s witty, funny, well-paced, and entertaining. It’s just not as representative as it pans out to be.
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andrea's galley 