Ana on the Edge

ANA ON THE EDGE is a fabulous story of self-discovery. Our main protagonist, Ana, is a passionate skater who finds herself navigating the tricky world of gender identity - made even more complicated by the world of figure skating, which increasingly expects her to conform to a world of sparkles and princesses. Ana is a compelling protagonist, and the book excels in building a cast of fully fleshed supporting characters - her best friend, the intriguing transgender boy who joins her new rink, her skate instructor, and her mom, all creating a world in which Ana can navigate the newly discovered questions about their? her? his? gender identity. I won't give away the ending, but the author avoids many of the tropes that defined early coming out literature, and gives us a fresh perspective on the coming out story and leaves us in the question, rather than wrapping everything up in a neat bow.

To the younger crowd reading this review: read this book. It will help you understand yourself and your peers.To the parents reading this review: read this book, have your kids read it, and welcome the conversations it opens up.I read novels for 3 main reasons: 1. to be transported, 2. to be transformed, and 3. to be seen. This novel triumphs across the board like a perfectly executed triple axel.1. To be transported: The story takes place just up the road from where I live but it transported me to a universe away from the world I know—that of figure skating and life as a pre-teen/teen with modern technology enabling (or not) your relationships. I was fully drawn in and loved living in that universe over the course of the story.2. To be transformed: At the heart of the story is a journey of self discovery we can all relate to. From the gut feeling that something we don't understand is meaningful to us, to the difficulty in conveying our confusion and our realizations to those we're closest to. Ana works through those moments of doubt and those breakthroughs of discovery in a way that is so tangible and honest. Her journey helps you tap into your own experiences with self-doubt and self-discovery. Together, main character and reader are transformed. On a personal note, it also helped me better understand the experience of a non-binary person realizing their identity. I am so glad and grateful to have been able to read this story.3. To be seen: Ana on the Edge reminds me of that incredible one-man stage show/documentary In And Of Itself. The message in that show and in this book is the same: we all want to be seen for who we truly are, and we all deserve to be seen for who we truly are. This book helps you understand the importance of seeing yourself and helps you better see others.It’s a triple axel landed with grace, skill, and truth. I hope this book finds its way into your hands. You’ll be glad it did.

Both for binary and non-binary readers alike, ANA ON THE EDGE offers a timely look into self-actualization from a beautiful, heart-melting point of view. With elegant writing, multifaceted characters, and layer upon layer of love and compassion, Sass expertly pulls readers from every walk of life into a gorgeous story about growing up into your own identity.I’m not much into “sports books,” but I am into *great books.* I learned SO MUCH about ice skating, and between competition and cosplays, I can’t wait to find out what happens to both Ana and her friend, Hayden!

I liked the figure skating setting. I liked Ana and seeing her work out various things, not just about being nonbinary, but also about new friends and locations while also keeping her old friend.

Such a delightful, charming story about self-discovery, friendship, and skating!! I didn’t have such grounded, diverse novels growing up, and I really wish that books like Ana had existed back then...but I’m so glad it’s here now!As an adult figure skater I really appreciated all of the attention to detail and the accuracy of portraying figure skating—especially the cost aspect. And the fact that Ana was conscious of her mother’s struggle to pay that cost...it’s super relatable.As always, AJ, thank you for writing!

This books feels just like it what it is to be a competitive skater in the Bay Area. I know because I was one, albeit a while back. The only part I found kinda unrealistic was when Ana missed a week of practices and then was able to come back the first day and skate a clean run through.Everything else though, from the anxiety over expenses to the selfishness and time-management issues are authentically part of the business of skating.And then there is the identity stuff. I am so relieved because I now better understand what it means to be non-binary. The Venn diagram imagery is so helpful. I can totally relate to Ana as a person on the brink of adulthood working so hard to sort through her stuff.

I've been mesmerized by this cover for several months now, and I finally got the chance to read it. ANA ON THE EDGE is a true middle-grade gem and a must-read for children and adults alike. I can't recommend it enough!

I knew nothing about ice skating at all besides Yuri on Ice but not only was this a wonderful book about a non-binary kid but also made me like immersed and fascinated by ice skating. Overall sweet and ground breaking or should I say... ice breaking ?

This is such a brilliant, original concept, and is beautifully written with a light touch. It's a book about ice skating, gender identity and authenticity. Not preachy at all. Just a lovely story.I call it important, because if you have a child who is questioning their gender identity in any way, then this book will help them feel less alone, and let them see that there are options open to them, and that it's OK not to be sure. They can also see that they don't have to make any firm decisions at a young age.Even if your child isn't questioning their gender identity, it will help them develop empathy for those who are.Highly recommend!

Ana is a twelve-year-old skating champion with aspirations to represent the US in the future. She is uncomfortable with her full traditionally-feminine name; long hair; princess-themed skating music and choreography; and wearing dresses. Her mum works incredibly hard to support her ambitions for Ana, and Ana also is also starting to work as a student instructor to help. Here, she meets Hayden, a trans boy who assumes she is also a boy. Although she doesn't see herself as a boy, Ana is immediately curious about why she doesn't want to correct him, and what this might mean, and sets about exploring her identity beyond the binaries of male and female.THIS is the book I wish I had had growing up. I mean... I can't explain how important this book is for MG readers and children approaching their teens. I'm so thankful this book exists, it's wonderful, everyone should read it if they're even slightly interested in the topic of how it feels to be non-binary. Definite must for any school library.With that said, there were a couple of things involved in the story itself that made me like it somewhat less. For instance, the overall conflict involves Ana falling out with Hayden and her skating friend Tamar over her 'lies' and 'selfishness'. I WAS FUMING! Haha I can't remember being so angry on a character's behalf... I don't see how experimenting with pronouns counts as lying, to be honest, because I think it's really important that people are allowed to feel they can explore without giving up every detail of their lives to strangers. Ana/A was under NO obligation to explain to Hayden that she was Ana, because even at that point, she wasn't quite sure if she 'wanted' to be Ana. AS SOON AS she learns Hayden changed his name and uses he/him pronouns, she is utterly transfixed by the concept, and I felt it was unfair of the narrative not to challenge Hayden's reaction and for Ana to stand up for herself and explain she didn't owe anyone an explanation of how she was feeling WHILE she was working through her own experiences. I understand Hayden was likely bullied and has more extreme reactions, but I wish the narrative itself had backed Ana up more on her choices.Secondly, the selfishness accusation. UM!!!! Ana is 12 years old and works a job?!?!? Ana is so worried about costing her mum money. Ana does home school and gets ahead with her homework. Ana is so polite to her mum and to all the adults around her. Ana helps out, Ana gives more than the minimum to everyone, Ana is kind to new members of the rink, Ana bridges the ice between her and her new peers at the new home rink. Ana constantly pushes herself and works harder to improve and never assumes her talent will see her through. UMMM HOW IS ANA SELFISH?!? I was SHOOKETH by that accusation, and it made me so sad that Ana accepted it like... 'oh yes I suppose I am selfish :'( for being in a complete crisis of my gender identity and not having anyone to discuss it with and not knowing what to do and missing my absent dad and worrying about my overworked mum and questioning whether I'm a burden to everyone'. Again I wish the narrative had clarified that Ana deserved more compassion. Again I understand Tamar is going through a whole deal herself but the narrative seemed so harsh on Ana who genuinely was one of the most precious, protectable MCs I've ever read, without becoming saccharine or corny. OMG my frustrations xDSo basically, the message of the book, and the representation, were wonderful. But because of how the narrative shifts Ana, I enjoyed it less than I might have done, without the unnecessary friendship drama. I wondered whether the main conflict was going to be a) Ana's non-binary identity and b) confronting her mum about not wanting to do skating anymore, having lost her love of it because of her fears about the family's financial constraints. It was quite odd to read Ana's friends turning on her and then in the narrative be expected to agree with them :| haha no.