Both Can Be True

Written by Jules Machias

Narrated by MW Cartozian Wilson and Kirby Heyborne

*An Indie Next List Pick, a Top Ten Rainbow Book for Young Readers, and one of Bank Street Children's Best Books of the Year!*

Jules Machias explores identity, gender fluidity, and the power of friendship and acceptance in this dual-narrative story about two kids who join forces to save a dog . . . but wind up saving each other.

Ash is no stranger to feeling like an outcast. For someone who cycles through genders, it’s a daily struggle to feel in control of how people perceive you. Some days Ash is undoubtedly girl, but other times, 100 percent guy. Daniel lacks control too—of his emotions. He’s been told he’s overly sensitive more times than he can count. He can’t help the way he is, and he sure wishes someone would accept him for it.

So when Daniel’s big heart leads him to rescue a dog that’s about to be euthanized, he’s relieved to find Ash willing to help. The two bond over their four-legged secret. When they start catching feelings for each other, however, things go from cute to complicated. Daniel thinks Ash is all girl . . . what happens when he finds out there’s more to Ash’s story?

With so much on the line—truth, identity, acceptance, and the life of an adorable pup named Chewbarka—will Ash and Daniel forever feel at war with themselves because they don’t fit into the world’s binaries? Or will their friendship help them embrace the beauty of living in between?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jun 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9780063053922

Jules Machias

Jules Machias is an author, editor, artist, and athlete who loves dogs beyond all reason. Both Can Be True is inspired by their combined passions for rescuing animals and breaking down society’s gender norms to create a more inclusive world. Jules has worked at a veterinarian office, a construction company, a car-parts warehouse, and a middle school for kids with disabilities. They now own and operate an editing and proofreading business for clients in publishing and marketing. Jules lives in Cincinnati with their family and three rescue dogs: the world’s happiest pit bull, a sweet Chihuahua with congestive heart failure, and a paralyzed terrier with a whole lot of sass. To learn more about Jules and their dogs, visit www.jules-machias.com.

Reviews for Both Can Be True

[Mellow Monkey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

More like a 3.5 stars, rounded up to a 4 stars! I think this was refreshing and sweet. But, the story kinda was a little off for a me in the sense that I was not really connecting a 100% with any of the characters. But having said that, this book might be really amazing for the younger audience which is the target audience.

[KelciiLou · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

We start the book with Ash having transferred to a new school after transphobic bullying at their previous one. They're struggling with their gender identity which is compounded by their dad perpetuating gender stereotypes and telling them they most choose - male or female, which only further complicates "coming out". We also meet Daniel who's parents are currently "living apart" he has recently lost his dog & his best friend and is struggling emotionally with the fall-out from all these things, what makes it more difficult is his twin brother and mum regularly make comments about him being too emotional or feeling too much and buying into gender requirements expected of him. Both our MC's begin the book strangers to one another but after a string of odd luck leaves Daniel caring for an elderly dog, in secret from his family, that should've been put down at his volunteering vets job. A class project has them crossing paths and a tired Daniel ends up asking for help, what ensues is their relationship blossoming whilst sneaking out, lying and caring for the doggo. Amongst the back drop of dysfunctional families, friendships the good and difficult, gender expectations, punk music, synesthesia.

This was an excellent exploration into the confusion and challenges of figuring yourself out especially when externally people close to you (in this case Ash' dad) are dismissive of your identity and are pressuring you to make a choice against yourself. Off the back of this I liked how the book looked at how well meaning "allies" can also be harmful in their views, in this example because of only seeing the gender binary and some of the toxicity surrounding that.

What I liked less was the exploration of toxicity around boys/masc presenting and expressing emotions. I like that we tackled it but I consider the expression of Daniel being highly overwhelmed & tearful as something that may need to be explored in terms of support for him rather than just acceptance that he was expressing things and I dont feel we got that. Perhaps not suitable for this book but I would like this portrayal around emotions to also explore other types of emotions because I feel that sadness/tears are not the only things that areas of society deem unacceptable.

There was an excessive amount of lying in this book that didn't necessarily sit very well with me and I do not mean in terms of identities because that is truly personal and I'm not here judging any of that. But in every other area, the main thread of lying in regards to looking after the dog could have serious, serious consequences and well it felt very brushed off in the end.

Finally I appreciate that this is one view/one experience and the more stories that appear with representation off the gender binary the better for a better range. I understand that some people I know are not here for labels it doesn't work for them they're not here for it, however for others labels are useful (for context I'm the latter). So I respect Ash not being interested in labels I dont respect the offhand comment/decision they make in regards to Daniel not needing a label because that's Daniels choice/journey to make for Daniel not Ash's - as someone thats been told to not worry about labels as they're not important when I've come out to people - I'm perhaps a little sensitive to it.

[dawn.zimmerer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a great middle grade book. As an adult I found myself screaming at the characters to just SEE each other and what they were going through. Then I put myself in their places and realized and remembered the angst of being in the 7th grade!

[sammusher · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As an "own voices" story of fluid gender identity, this book is unique and wonderful. As a MG novel, it has some hiccups, particularly with pacing. I found it slow to get started with too much wrapped up too quickly at the end, and the characters -- especially Ash -- sometimes had too much going on. When Ash went to the music rehearsal and was all, "music is my life!" my reaction was, "...really? since when?" Not that a character should only have one or two Things, but myriad character traits can be hard for middle grade readers to track, especially in a book with two POV characters, so I want every trait to matter and clearly be in service of the larger story. I predict this will be super important for some of my genderqueer kiddos, but less engaging as a "window" for kids who don't share Ash's experience. I could totally be wrong, though!