This graphic novel has all I could want for in a story, strong female friendships, a super sweet romance and LGBTQ+ representation.

// spoilers ahead //

Annie is a lesbian who knows exactly who she is. She’s a straight A student and the smartest person in her high school, but when it’s pointed out her lack of extra-curricular activities could affect her chances of getting into college, she joins the cheerleading team.

Bebe is a trans cheerleader, who struggles to set boundaries with everyone around her. Her parents are overprotective as they worry about keeping her safe, and her friends, in an attempt to show their acceptance, often make decisions on her behalf before asking Bebe what she wants.

Throughout the story, as the relationship between Annie and Bebe develops, we see Bebe become comfortable standing up for herself and voicing how she really feels as she realises she doesn’t have to say yes to everyone for them to accept her. We also see Annie develop trust and friendships with the cheerleading squad, while staying true to who she is.

This is a super adorable heart-warming graphic novel, and I’m so glad I got the chance to read it!

I'm 👵 & I just read the coolest (do the kids still say cool?) YA Graphic Novel "Cheer Up: Love and Pom Poms" on #NetGalley It pretty much sums up high school in 122 LBGTQIA+ pages. There's lessons for all of us. I was glad a bit of toxic masculinity was crushed👸👸 #CheerUp 👍

Tweet from @Pat_House

OH I LOVED THIS SO BAD. This is a short read, like most comics and graphic novels are, but they still managed to fit so much in without making it overpowering. There's just something I really love about a cheerleading team with a trans girl, a lesbian and a possibly nonbinary character. This was so cute and fun with enough sad moments that I cried reading it, but not so much that it was a Sad Story. I want more so bad.

Annie is a lesbian and doesn't give a rats behind about what anyone thinks about her. Beatrice, or BeBe is a trans girl who does give a rats behind what people think about her.

And that is the premise of this wonderful graphic novel about a cheer team that they both end up on. When Bebe was pretending to be a boy, as she put it, she was good friends with Annie, but something happened, and some time in the transition, they fell out, even though, Bebe says, she is still the same person that used to hang out with her.

I love these two main characters. They are so raw, and so real, I feel as though they both went to my high school and I was either them, or knew them.

The cute thing is Bebe is trying too hard to be liked, she never turns anyone down, and her friends are trying so hard to be accepting, that they want to please her too. They vote her captain of the cheer squad, and try to make her even run for prom queen.

What is it they say about good movies. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll fall in love. Yes to all those things.

As one reviewer said, when will there be a sequel.

<em> Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

I really excited for this and it just didn't live up to my expectations unfortunately. Not enough time was spent developing the plot or relationships, so things just kind of sped along without any real build-up. There were also so many micro-aggressions towards Bebe from her teammates and her parents that were just kind of...brushed off and overcome like no big deal? I know at least one of the creator's is trans, so this is own voices, and a point was made in the story about not deciding for other people what offends them, but I just couldn't enjoy the story because I didn't like any of the secondary characters? It also bugged me a bit that so much of Bebe and Annie's identities as women were wrapped up in femininity and make-up and being pretty, and that even when Annie was allowed to find her own style, it was still about her being pretty and feminine in her own way. I don't know, this one just didn't work for me. I'll be interested to see what transgender readers think of it, since their opinions matter more than mine on this one.

Cheer Up! is a graphic novel that follows Annie and BeeBee as they deal with the micro aggressions of being queer, the stress of being a senior, and their growing feelings for one another.
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This graphic novel was so adorable! The art style is so fun, and it was a quick and immersive read. I loved the diversity, not only in sexuality but also in race and body types. The characters were all super lovable with the exception of one side character, and it overall was just amazing.
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My only complaint would be that it is too short! I would love to read more of these characters.
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TWs- transphobia, sexual assault
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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This graphic novel is incredibly sweet and the exact narrative we need for LGBTQIA+ narrative. Being about to read about trans and queer issues being normalized was refreshing. It hits humor, young love, and political and social issues on the head swimmingly. Bravo!

After a rough start of the month, with bad and mediocre reads, this graphic novel was exactly what I needed. The synopsis says that this is perfect for fans of Fence and Check, Please and I can confirm that. I loved it!
The two main characters were so adorable that I fell in love with them in the span of 130 pages, which is not something that happens very often, especially with graphic novels this short. I really loved all the diversity and that it wasn't just for a 'show'. The difficulties of being transgender were openly discussed, and it was amazing watch Bebe grow, with the help of Annie, her friends and even her family.
And talking about family, Annie's mum was amazing. I really enjoyed Bebe's parents as well, because they have also grown like their daughter has, but Annie's mum is just so cool.
The plot is pretty simple, but it was well constructed and I loved the pacing and the sequences. The dialogues were believable and the expressions the character had matched perfectly what they were saying. Speaking of which, the art style is perfect for the story. Both the character design and the colours literally made me smile. As I said, I really needed this and I can't wait for it to be out, so I can purchase my own copy and stare at it in real life. I mean, screens are great, but I bet this looks even better on paper.
I really hope this author-illustrator duo will come up with more stories, and I really wish there was a second instalment after this first volume, because I need more cheerleaders in my life.
I would totally recommend this to anyone, because it is such a cheer-me-up read and it will really put a smile on your faces.

Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms is incredibly cute, lovely, and warm -- an excellent Oni comic! The story follows two high school students -- popular, but timid Bebe (a transgender girl) and tough, scrappy Annie (a lesbian girl) who are both on the school's cheerleading team and reigniting their friendship. Both girls are drawn delightfully well, both in illustration and personality!

The comic captures the microaggressions that transgender youth face, and the ways in which even well meaning family members, friends, and peers can be hurtful. I loved how well it illustrated (hehe) the importance of active listening and not assuming what someone needs. The surrounding cast of characters on the team round on the story well, and I look forward to getting to know everyone one in future comics (crossing my fingers!!!).

If you love Check, Please!, or Oni's slate of comics these past years, you'll undoubtedly love this as well. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early review copy -- all opinions are my own.

I adored this graphic novel! Not only is the art gorgeous but the characters are wonderful and I especially loved that the cheer squad isn't made up of all skinny girls - there are people of every shape and size in the group, which I loved seeing. The art is fantastic and I love Annie and Bebe. I'll be keeping an eye out for anything else by Crystal and Val!

Pros:
- lgbtq rep, diversity
- fun characters
- great art style
- Heartstopper vibes

Cons:
- rather abrupt ending

Yeah, I recommend you read this.

OMG YAAASSS
I saw this on Netgalley last night and dropped my phone when I read "perfect for fans of Fence and Check, Please!"

I binged this in an hour I think and loved every minute of it.
This is a YA coming of age graphic novel about the lives of a punk girl Annie who is forced to join the Cheerleading team to be "more sociable" **que Missy monologue from Bring it On** and her childhood friend BeeBee, a trans girl recently promoted Cheer Captain.
The story focuses on BeeBee's transition and how her peers, friends and parents now treat her because of this.

Crystal Frasier does such an amazing job of showing the wide spectrum of how one treats the people in the queer community, especially transgender people, from advocation to hatred to saviorism. It delves into the place a lot of people don't talk about, we live in a world where being 'woke' is seen as cool and sometimes that's the entire reasoning behind helping a marginalized group.
BUT what I REALLY LOVED about this book was how it never went anywhere to dark to come back from. Too often now we see queer fiction come out that goes to such a dark place because "that's the reality of the world" which is like yeah I agree, but it doesn't need to be in every book to the point where I don't feel safe reading queer lit anymore.

So THANK YOU Crystal Frasier for making a happy queer story that still finds the space to teach so many important lessons.

I do have a request for more...because I wouldn't be me if I didn't wish you to give me ALL THE CONTENT. There are some stories here that I definitely want to see more of!! #CheerUp!2

Winsomely wholesome and sweetly confectioned, Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms is a warm-hearted and charismatically compassionate sports story prettified with a charming colour palette and spotlighting characters of all shapes and sizes, pressing positive credos about social pressures, support, consent and the courage needed to carve out your comfort zone. The close-knit clownery of the cheerleading cohort are easily endearing, but it's Bebe and her plight as a people-pleasing pushover endeavouring to content everyone - her parents, peers and P.E. coaches - especially that's effortless to empathize with. Bebe is caring and considerate in a way that's a perfect complement to Annie's smart-aleckness and secret soft side, and the confidence they provide one another is precious and authentically portrayed. The fierce loyalty and flowering attraction between the female leads is its most loveable and lighthearted feature, but the affection and acceptance of their lively friendships and fondly forbearing family by the final frames are what clinch Cheer up's feel-good factor and make it an animated and amusing frolic.

This was short and so so sweet and lovely. This short graphic novel/long comic (?) follows two teenage girls, Annie and Beatrice, two former friends who find their way back to each other when Annie joins the cheerleading team that Beatrice is on. Both girls have wonderfully distinctive personalities and are finding out who they are, especially Beatrice who is still adjusting to being an out trans girl, and what they mean to each other. Also the art style is gorgeous. I really enjoyed it!!

Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for an Arc of this comic in exchange for an honest review.

In the same vein as Fence and Check! Please, Cheer Up! Is a beautiful LGBTQIA+ comic.

With beautiful illustrations and an even more stunning story about finding your voice and deciding what’s best and safest for you. Cheer Up! Is a fantastic comic bursting with representation including a Trans Latinx mc, a lesbian mc, a gender fluid side character.

This comic needs to be in every school library, it’s funny and full of heart, and you can bet I’ll be buying a copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As a cis person, I'm not an expert on this rep, and I thought that this was done well, but if I am mistaken, please bring it to my attention.
Cheer Up is one of those sweet books that give people warm and fuzzy feelings. I loved Bebe's sweet and kind character, and her character growth, and how she grew into being able to stand up for herself, and I loved her to bits. I also saw so much of myself in Annie, and she was so likable to me. This book was able to take on such heavy topics with grace, and I adored every bit of it. 5/5 stars from me!

Annie has never been on a team in her life, but pressure from her principal and mom to get along better with her peers causes her to try out for the cheerleading squad. There, she's reunited with former friend Beatrice who has been transitioning from male to female for the past year. Beatrice is happy as a girl but hates being the center of attention. Annie doesn't mind attention but desperately needs to work on her people skills. Frasier does an excellent job of exploring the experiences of a trans teen with nuance and grace. Beatrice's struggles are unique but easy to relate to. With the help of Annie and her squad, Beatrice learns to set boundaries and stand up for herself against the jerks and creeps at school. On the other hand, Beatrice helps Annie soften up as she gets to know her teammates and work with them as a team. As their friendship grows, so too does a new romance. This charming story of friendship, romance, and working together is certain to please young adult and adult readers alike.

Thank you to Netgalley and Oni Press for an arc of this graphic novel.

Annie needs to round out her resume with something other than academics, and her mom forces her to join the cheer squad. Even though she is incredibly unpopular at her school because of her negative attitude toward her peers, she is welcomed onto the team by her ex-friend Bebe, the new cheerleading captain and people-pleasure. Bebe is trans and dealing with the pressure of always being in the spotlight and trying to please everyone. Bebe and annie work together to improve each other as they rekindle their friendship and a budding romance.

This was absolutely adorable! Honestly, I don't have any complaints about this book. It had great rep and diverse characters, lovely messages, great character development, and the illustrations were beautiful. I loved the pacing and thought this book was exactly the right length for the story it was telling.

This book also has great fat representation and pretty dresses, so I was obviously all in!

I definitely recommend this book to readers of all ages!

Pub Date: August 10, 2021

Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia and Sexual assault

This graphic novel was everything I could ever want! I loved it so much. It was so cute and made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside! The art style was absolutely adorable and perfect. I just wanted to jump right on in there with these girls.
I can not stress enough how much I love girls uplifting girls and this book embodies that so well! I love seeing the girls grow and learn and watching the relationship between the MCs develop was so heartwarming. I want a physical copy of this book right now so I can show it to everyone i know and just endlessly gush about how dang cute it was!

Cheer Up! is almost unbelievably adorable. It's a queer teen sports romcom in the vein of "Check, Please!" - but with the added bonus of handling teen girl issues with kindness and poise. The cheerleading team makes for a great group of characters with opposing personalities but still-deep friendship, and they're a lovely backdrop to the romance between Bebe and Annie.

(SLIGHT spoilers ahead, but only in a vague motioning-at-themes way. And they're not really spoilers, because you know what the story beats in teen romcoms are! We all do, because they're wonderful).

Bebe and Annie, meanwhile, get to be the very best parts of the book. Bebe is a trans girl who not only gets a nuanced storyline about managing how her community responds to her trans identity, but ALSO gets a very classic-YA storyline about finding her own voice as she grows into herself as a person - and I LOVED that. I loved that she got to do both. I loved that they got to overlap. I loved that it fits Bebe right into the coming-of-age canon of teen girl RomComs, which is right where she belongs. Annie has somewhat less growth - because Annie already knows who she is - but that actually really works to provide rich contrast. Annie has already grown into HERSELF, but she needs to work out how to be part of a community, and the cheerleading team gives her exactly that opportunity. It's so great to see BOTH of them grow, rekindle their early-childhood friendship as complicated teens, and then, of course, fall in love!

Oh, and there's also a FABULOUS homecoming dance full of great dresses, great stand-up-for-yourself moments, a very punk character in tiara, and a magical teen-movie-worthy kiss. Because of course there is. It's just that freaking cute.

(Also, Annie's mom was right all along. Which is excellent, because she was my not-so-secret fave from the first moment we met her).