Aidan, 13, is the oldest sibling in a family of five kids and the only boy. His parents have always been about openness and communication but he likes to keep some things to himself, like how he thinks he might be gay.
When a gay couple comes into their life, he doesn't want people to know about it, he's ashamed, he wonders what would people say, especially when his mom tells the kids that she will be a surrogate for them. Like, how weird is that? People will talk for sure...

This wasn't bad but it was slow. Honestly, not much happened. I had trouble staying properly focused and getting through the book but overall, I don't have proper criticism except that the main character was acting like a brat for most of the book and yes, he is a kid but all of his younger sisters were much less annoying. I liked his best friend though, his sister Beth, his aunt and Justin and Atif were pretty cool. I also enjoyed the surrogacy talk but Aidan was so insufferable through most of it, I had some trouble with the book as a whole. I did get better by the end though and, overall, I'm still glad to have read this.

We loved this so much. We read it together, discussed it and then did lots more reading about it.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book. The characters where so real and having a teenage Nd tween kids myself I could really relate to the main characters. They where very true to life.
Loved the extended family dynamics and showing the role extended families often have in supporting teaching other.

Just like everyone else
By Sarah Hagger-Holt
Published by Usborne Publishing Ltd

Sarah Hagger-Holt writes from the heart with love, compassion and honesty.
This coming-of-age story for tweens explores love, feelings and identity as Aidan the main character struggles to breathe in his own family.
So he runs.
And he runs.
Away from his loud, annoying sisters.
Away from his ‘ask lots of questions’ parents.
Away from his mates, who only want to care.
Then his mum announces she is having another baby, but not for her, as a surrogate mum for Justin and Atif, a gay couple.
Aiden can not believe what is happening to him, his family or his feelings.
He lives everyday with pure embarrassment!
If only he could be like everyone else!!

This fabulous storyline could not be more moving, questioning or needed in today’s 21st century world.
I hope all children get to read, listen and know that they are represented.
No matter what they feel or the make up of their family unit - they are all loved and cared for. Thank you Sarah - every classroom NEEDS a copy of this.

Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.

#Netgalley
#usborepublishing

13 year old Aidan is struggling to accept the possibility that he may be gay. He sees the way his best friend is bullied at school just for challenging gender stereotypes, and he does not want to be the centre of any attention, let alone that kind.

When his mother, who has already had 5 children of her own, becomes a surrogate mother for gay couple Atif and Justin, Aidan worries that they will know his secret and he will have to confront it before he’s ready to.

His escape from his fears of being gay and his busy home is fell running. He finds his freedom in the miles and mud, and pours his energy into winning the U14s cup.

As Atif and Justin become part of the family, Aidan starts to see that being gay won't stop him from having a happy future.

This is a hopeful story for any young teen questioning their sexuality, or just feeling under pressure to conform, and is exactly the kind of books our young people need to have access to.

Thank you to netgalley and Usborne for the eARC for review.

Librarian Lowdown:
Bullying is a theme but there is no overt violence
Completely suitable for children 8+ (though reading age is more 11+)

A story about a beautiful and supportive family. But also about no matter how supportive the family and friends being different to the norm is still terrifying. A story about battling with yourself so much the battle spills over and gets aimed at those you love. A first person account of the struggle to find oneself and realise that you don’t have to be or behave the way you think other want you too.

There’s also a nice smattering of running in the mix too.

This was such a lovely heartfelt read which I devoured in a few sittings! I found the story of Aiden's Mum stepping up to be a surrogate fascinating as I don't think I've ever seen that representation in a book before, let alone a YA. It's so important for spreading awareness, especially amongst a YA audience. I just found this to be a really interesting book. I loved Aiden's character development and I desperately want to be friends with Bells. A great read!

Once again, Sarah Hagger-Holt proves her books are essential for Ks3 school libraries. Her book are so astute at showing a different side of being part of LBTQ+ families, and are written with such care and love.. Here she tackles surrogacy through the eyes of a boy whose mum is the surrogate mother, but who is also struggling with his own identity. It is a perfect example of mirrors and windows in books: some children will see themselves represented in that story but it also nurtures greater understanding of how families can be created in several different ways. Brilliant, and touching.

Thirteen-year-old Aidan can feel overwhlemed in his busy family home. He's got four loud sisters and parents who want ot talk about everything - Aidan doesn't want to talk so he goes running. Then one day his mum announces that she's going to have another baby, but not a new brother or sister... She will be a surrogate for a gay couple.
Aidan doesn't understand - why his mum is doing this, why his family is like it is. Things are changing too fast. Aidan is also scared. He thinks he might be gay and he's struggling to come to terms with what that means. If only he was just like everyone else.

This was a really interesting story - seeing the family going trhough the process of taking the decision to help Justin and Atif becoming a family by way of surrogacy and how everyone deals with the situation. Aidan's character feels very 'real' - there's no sugarcoating his anger, fears and clashes with those he loves, including his best friend Jack. It's lovely to see him grow throughout the book.

I am a huge fan of Sarah Hagger-Holt and have already introduced Nothing Ever Happens Here and Proud of Me to my school library. I love the way she normalises different relationship types and yet at the same time shows the whirlwind of emotions that can be felt by teenagers as they try to work out who they are. In this book Aidan's mum decides to offer to be a surrogate for a gay couple who are friends with Aidan's aunt. At school, Aidan's best friend, Jack, is having a hard time as one of the teachers is picking on him for not being masculine enough. Aidan just wishes that his mum and Jack would be just like everyone else and stop drawing attention to themselves. Aidan just wants them to fit as. he's worried about what might happen when other people realise that he's different too. Because he might be, but he's not sure and he doesn't know who to talk to. I would definitely recommend this book and any of Sarah Hagger-Holt's other books to anyone who is looking to improve the representation in their school library and to start conversations in the classroom. Buy it!

13 year old Aidan, as the only boy with a family of 4 sisters, enjoys running as he can be in his own world, away from the noise and bustle of his home. He is worried about his sexuality as he thinks he could possibly be gay and that will make him stand out at school, something he is desperate to avoid. He even asks his best friend Jack to tone down his individuality for fear he will be picked on. When Auntie Jo introduces 2 friends who are gay Aidan is not particularly bothered, but when his Mum announces that not only is she pregnant – again! – but that she is having the baby as a surrogate for Justin and Atif, Aidan is very worried as it makes the family stand out.
Aidan has to come to terms with the new baby, Justin and Atif being part of their lives, his own identity and also being a supportive friend to Jack.
A great book for early teens wondering where they fit in.