Linus and Etta Could Use a Win Review

 

 

Underrated middle grade contemporary fiction!

Linus and Etta Could Use a Win by Caroline Huntoon is a dual POV book about two 13 year olds named Linus and Etta. Linus is a trans boy who just moved houses and starts going to a new school. Etta is an girl with an "alternative" fashion style who is rather cynical about everything, but especially middle school. Shortly after the two of them meet and befriend each other, student council elections are their school start up. Etta finds herself making a secret bet with her former best friend, Marigold, to get Linus to be student council president (they are mostly competing just to get into the same prestigious private high school). Etta really likes Linus and wants to be best friends with him, but she is worried that her ulterior motives as his campaign manager will ruin everything between them. She also genuinely thinks Linus could make the school a more inclusive, safe place. The whole secret bet is also a problem because Linus and Marigold sometimes talk to each other, and Linus seems to have a crush on Marigold. 

As you can tell, the story is about Linus and Etta becoming close and worried that Etta's secret will be found out. At the same time, Linus also has to deal with his grandmother (he and his parents move in to live closer to her) who constantly misgenders him (she doesn't do it out of malice, but it still hurts!). 

I am so glad we are getting more middle grade fiction like this! I would've loved to have these types of stories growing up (I am not trans myself but I do identify as queer). The story does play out in a predictable manner, but that's also why I like it: everything is resolved well at the end! From Etta apologizing for using Linus to Linus's grandma learning not to misgender him anymore.  

So I gave this book 5 stars! 

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