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You Know Who Girls #1
Freshman Year
Abbey Brooks, Gila High freshman-to-be, never thought a hellish day of shopping at the mall with her best friend, Kate, could change her life. But when she orders French fries from the flirtatious Hot Dog on a Stick Chick, she gets more than deep-fried potatoes. Abbey tries to ignore the weird, happy feeling in her gut, but that proves to be as impossible as avoiding the very insistent (and—rumor has it—very lesbian) players on Gila High’s girls’ basketball team. They want freakishly long-legged Abbey to try out, and Abbey doesn’t hate the idea. But Kate made Abbey pinky swear to avoid basketball and to keep away from the you-know-who girls on the team.
Sometimes promises can’t be kept. And sometimes girls in uniform are impossible to resist.
Sometimes promises can’t be kept. And sometimes girls in uniform are impossible to resist.
284 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 2010
12 people are currently reading
1782 people want to read
About the author
Annameekee Hesik
3 books97 followersAnnameekee Hesik came out when she was fifteen and has since been
obsessed with rainbows. After successfully surviving high school in
Tucson, AZ, she went to college for six years and changed her major
five times. She earned her BA in English lit from UC Davis and her
MA in education from UC Santa Cruz. She is thrilled she finally
decided to become a high school English teacher (with a background
in anthropology, American Sign Language, world history, and
environmental biology). When she isn’t helping students learn to enjoy
literature or dressing up as the Super Recycler or Grammar Police, she
spends her time in San Jose, CA, slurping down mocha shakes,
and writing books that she hopes will help lesbian and questioning
teens feel like they’re not the only you-know-who girls in the world.
obsessed with rainbows. After successfully surviving high school in
Tucson, AZ, she went to college for six years and changed her major
five times. She earned her BA in English lit from UC Davis and her
MA in education from UC Santa Cruz. She is thrilled she finally
decided to become a high school English teacher (with a background
in anthropology, American Sign Language, world history, and
environmental biology). When she isn’t helping students learn to enjoy
literature or dressing up as the Super Recycler or Grammar Police, she
spends her time in San Jose, CA, slurping down mocha shakes,
and writing books that she hopes will help lesbian and questioning
teens feel like they’re not the only you-know-who girls in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
August 26, 2024
This was 0ne of the best coming of age books I have ever read, very engaging and well done. 'Abby Road' is our MC and a freshman in high school, her best friend Kate makes some rules for a group of friends to follow. One was not playing basketball as some of the girls may be lesbian, so of course they both make the team and Abby might just become one of those girls.
The main characters resonated with me, including Abby's mum and her first love Keeta. So well done, 4+ for me.
The main characters resonated with me, including Abby's mum and her first love Keeta. So well done, 4+ for me.
September 13, 2012
Girl meets girl like you have never read before!
This is the perfect book for any girl who has ever wondered, "Am I a you-know-who girl, too?" It's got romance, diversity, laughs, heartache, and basketball. Who could ask for more? :) Of course, if you want more, a sequel is in the works! Annameekee Hesik
This is the perfect book for any girl who has ever wondered, "Am I a you-know-who girl, too?" It's got romance, diversity, laughs, heartache, and basketball. Who could ask for more? :) Of course, if you want more, a sequel is in the works! Annameekee Hesik
September 18, 2015
“I mean, I don’t know what I am, so why is it anyone else’s business and why is everyone talking about me?”
Freshman Year is a hidden gem. I didn't know it existed until Dahlia linked me.
I've been actively seeking light coming of age books and this one perfectly fits the category. It has a lot of relevant things to impart to readers.
It follows the story of Abbey Brooks an incoming freshman, who is coming to terms with her new found discovery about herself. Its about firsts, falling without reservation, facing consequences, getting your heart broken throw in sports and friendship. TA-DA! We have a real winner here.
Good points for the
an active parent figure
the difficulty of coming out
and most importantly the struggle of understanding your own self
I have some few problems like describing the poc's skin as food, and some things I couldn't go in specific because of spoilers.
Regardless of that Freshman Year is the book we should should be reading.
Review to come.
May 4, 2022
Rep: lesbian mc & side characters
CWs: lesbophobia
oh man where to start? the constant lesbophobia? the misogyny? the relationship between a 16 y/o and a 14 y/o*? the fact that the lesbian mc had to apologise to her lesbophobic best friend for not coming out to her? just pick a struggle
*ymmv but i find this creepy
CWs: lesbophobia
oh man where to start? the constant lesbophobia? the misogyny? the relationship between a 16 y/o and a 14 y/o*? the fact that the lesbian mc had to apologise to her lesbophobic best friend for not coming out to her? just pick a struggle
*ymmv but i find this creepy
October 2, 2012
This was one of the best YA books I've read. Hesik captures teen angst and pours it onto the pages in a way that transports you back to crowded halls, high school cliques and smelly locker rooms. Her characters are so true to life, her story so well written and so compelling, it is a must read for any middle school or high school student. I hope to see copies of this book in a lot of libraries.
Oh yeah, it's a great read for adults, too.
Oh yeah, it's a great read for adults, too.
September 25, 2012
Amazing, emotional read! I could not put this book down! I loved it so much I was torn between wanting to read it all in one sitting and needing to make it last as long as possible. The characters are so...NORMAL, they're easy to relate to whether you're gay, straight or questioning your sexuality. They're also very memorable. I know I certainly won't be forgetting about them anytime soon.
I read ALOT and this story is familiar yet really unique and fresh. It made me laugh. It made me cry. And it made me angry. I cannot tell you the last time one book made me feel all of those emotions. I was left feeling emotionally drained but satisfied. I highly recommend picking up a copy of The You Know Who Girls: Freshman year when you get the chance. I'm very much looking forward to Annameekee's next book in what I'm hoping will be a series.
I read ALOT and this story is familiar yet really unique and fresh. It made me laugh. It made me cry. And it made me angry. I cannot tell you the last time one book made me feel all of those emotions. I was left feeling emotionally drained but satisfied. I highly recommend picking up a copy of The You Know Who Girls: Freshman year when you get the chance. I'm very much looking forward to Annameekee's next book in what I'm hoping will be a series.
August 31, 2012
I'm always on the lookout for a great YA book with LGBT focused characters, so I was super excited to find Annameekee Hesik's The You Know Who Girls: Freshman Year and even more excited to discover just how great this book is.
Abbey Brooks is about to start her freshman year at Gila High with her BFF Kate and they've made a pact to not try-out for basketball and stay away from the rumored lesbian b-ball players, aka the you know who girls. But Abbey has a secret. She just might be one of those you know who girls and she's seriously crushing on the cute, older Hot Dog on a Stick Chick, Keeta. When Abbey joins the JV basketball team and starts to hang out with those you know who girls, rumors fly about Abbey. And when Keeta returns Abbey's flirtations, even though Keeta has a girlfriend, things get even more complicated for confused Abbey.
The You Know Who Girls: Freshman Year offers readers a thought-provoking, entertaining and realistic story about heartache, first love, friendship and sexuality. This is a true bildungsroman and Hesik writes with an authentic, fresh voice that anybody who survived their teen years can relate to. This is a quick read and Abbey's often witty, heartbreaking and touching coming of age story had me easily engrossed from beginning to end. Hesik has crafted a smart, hip story without having to rely on trite characters or storylines.
I really loved getting caught up in Abbey's complicated, drama filled and fun freshman year and thoroughly enjoyed her perspective. Abbey is such a complex, layered and well-developed character. There's a wonderful tangibility to Abbey; her emotions are so palpable and believable. From her first flustered encounter with the sexy Hot Dog on a Stick Chick, I knew I was going to like Abbey and her genuine, funny and oh so relatable awkward personality and I really, really did like her.
Abbey's story, from her grief over her father's death to her issues with her BFF to her coming to terms with her confusing sexuality, is so incredibly well-developed and written. And although the focus on Abbey's sexuality is important, it doesn't define the whole book. At its essence, this isn't merely a story about a young girl defining her sexuality, it's simply a story about the intensity and fragility of first love and finding oneself during the complicated teen years.
The are a myriad of other characters; some likable, some not so much. I do wish that some of the important supporting characters (Kate and Abbey's mom especially) were fleshed out and developed more. Abbey's first relationship is realistically messy, fun, steamy and heartaching, but I do wish a little less time was spent on this relationship and more time was spent on Abbey's fractured relationships with her mom and Kate. At times Abbey's mother comes across as slightly clueless or unaware and I wish the author would have included a scene where Abbey comes out to her mother.
Hesik wraps up Abbey's freshman year nicely but leaves plenty of room for more...and I would definitely love to read more!
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: The You Know Who Girls: Freshman Year is a fun, thought-provoking story, with a captivating and engrossing MC and romance, from an author with a fresh and authentic voice.
Abbey Brooks is about to start her freshman year at Gila High with her BFF Kate and they've made a pact to not try-out for basketball and stay away from the rumored lesbian b-ball players, aka the you know who girls. But Abbey has a secret. She just might be one of those you know who girls and she's seriously crushing on the cute, older Hot Dog on a Stick Chick, Keeta. When Abbey joins the JV basketball team and starts to hang out with those you know who girls, rumors fly about Abbey. And when Keeta returns Abbey's flirtations, even though Keeta has a girlfriend, things get even more complicated for confused Abbey.
The You Know Who Girls: Freshman Year offers readers a thought-provoking, entertaining and realistic story about heartache, first love, friendship and sexuality. This is a true bildungsroman and Hesik writes with an authentic, fresh voice that anybody who survived their teen years can relate to. This is a quick read and Abbey's often witty, heartbreaking and touching coming of age story had me easily engrossed from beginning to end. Hesik has crafted a smart, hip story without having to rely on trite characters or storylines.
I really loved getting caught up in Abbey's complicated, drama filled and fun freshman year and thoroughly enjoyed her perspective. Abbey is such a complex, layered and well-developed character. There's a wonderful tangibility to Abbey; her emotions are so palpable and believable. From her first flustered encounter with the sexy Hot Dog on a Stick Chick, I knew I was going to like Abbey and her genuine, funny and oh so relatable awkward personality and I really, really did like her.
Abbey's story, from her grief over her father's death to her issues with her BFF to her coming to terms with her confusing sexuality, is so incredibly well-developed and written. And although the focus on Abbey's sexuality is important, it doesn't define the whole book. At its essence, this isn't merely a story about a young girl defining her sexuality, it's simply a story about the intensity and fragility of first love and finding oneself during the complicated teen years.
The are a myriad of other characters; some likable, some not so much. I do wish that some of the important supporting characters (Kate and Abbey's mom especially) were fleshed out and developed more. Abbey's first relationship is realistically messy, fun, steamy and heartaching, but I do wish a little less time was spent on this relationship and more time was spent on Abbey's fractured relationships with her mom and Kate. At times Abbey's mother comes across as slightly clueless or unaware and I wish the author would have included a scene where Abbey comes out to her mother.
Hesik wraps up Abbey's freshman year nicely but leaves plenty of room for more...and I would definitely love to read more!
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: The You Know Who Girls: Freshman Year is a fun, thought-provoking story, with a captivating and engrossing MC and romance, from an author with a fresh and authentic voice.
October 6, 2012
This book is, basically, the awesomest. Annameekee Hesik wrote about me. You know, if I was a you know who girl and a fictional character.
Not only has Annameekee given us a great storyline, but the characters that she has brought to us are real and relatable. These characters are people that I crossed paths with in high school. It was refreshing to read about real people and not stereotypes, especially in a book about gay characters.
Following Abbey through her romantic encounters, her new friendships, and her realization of who she is and what she might want brought on a strong feeling of nostalgia. Annameekee captures what it’s like to be a teenager experiencing first love and all the fun and confusing emotions that come with it. Read this. Do it.
Not only has Annameekee given us a great storyline, but the characters that she has brought to us are real and relatable. These characters are people that I crossed paths with in high school. It was refreshing to read about real people and not stereotypes, especially in a book about gay characters.
Following Abbey through her romantic encounters, her new friendships, and her realization of who she is and what she might want brought on a strong feeling of nostalgia. Annameekee captures what it’s like to be a teenager experiencing first love and all the fun and confusing emotions that come with it. Read this. Do it.
October 11, 2012
I was surprised when I realized this might be my first LGBT friendly book. I'm not really sure why I haven't read more of them. (Note - the subject matter does not bother me in the slightest).
I thought the book was fun, thought provoking without being preachy and I would even recommend it to younger readers.
I received this from Net Galley but my opinions are my own.
I thought the book was fun, thought provoking without being preachy and I would even recommend it to younger readers.
I received this from Net Galley but my opinions are my own.
August 18, 2014
This made me smile, annoyed me, made me want to hit someone, made me want to scream at someone, knock some sense into them, made me swoon, grit my teeth, wince, laugh out loud, even get a bit teary eyed (or maybe I'm just PMSing) ... solid 5.
November 10, 2012
I won this book via GoodReads. I was thrilled when I found out. :-)
This the first entirely LGBT book that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact I read it over a few hours as I couldn't put it down. It was wonderfully written. I think this in itself is a good sign I loved it!
Over the last year or so I've developed a love of contemporary ya, particularly those with sports related storylines mixed with a bit of romance. Examples include Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally. So I was really looking forward to this one.
I really liked the main character Abbey(Road). She was an independent, witty, sarcastic, clever, young woman who also kicked ass at basketball. I especially liked that she wasn't perfect and made mistakes, which she admitted to. Too many characters in ya are a bit too perfect for my liking! I imagine I would have gone on with her pretty well at school. Another stand out character for me was Garrett. She was funny, strong and oozed confidence! I wish I could be more like her.
I don't want to give away the plot (so I won't!). There were crushes, mixed feelings, betrayals, laughter and love. I really enjoyed this one. I'll be looking out for more books by Annameekee and I hope to see The You Know Who Girls again.
This the first entirely LGBT book that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact I read it over a few hours as I couldn't put it down. It was wonderfully written. I think this in itself is a good sign I loved it!
Over the last year or so I've developed a love of contemporary ya, particularly those with sports related storylines mixed with a bit of romance. Examples include Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally. So I was really looking forward to this one.
I really liked the main character Abbey(Road). She was an independent, witty, sarcastic, clever, young woman who also kicked ass at basketball. I especially liked that she wasn't perfect and made mistakes, which she admitted to. Too many characters in ya are a bit too perfect for my liking! I imagine I would have gone on with her pretty well at school. Another stand out character for me was Garrett. She was funny, strong and oozed confidence! I wish I could be more like her.
I don't want to give away the plot (so I won't!). There were crushes, mixed feelings, betrayals, laughter and love. I really enjoyed this one. I'll be looking out for more books by Annameekee and I hope to see The You Know Who Girls again.
November 28, 2012
http://whisperingprettystories.weebly...
Abbey has been warned not to try out for the girls basketball team because there are lesbians on the team and she wouldn't want to be associated with *them* during her first year in high school.
Except she is one.
This story is beautifully crafted, not too over the top. You can tell Hesik is around high school aged kids. The language is perfect, the actions are perfect, and the relationships among the kids and faculty are all perfect for high school.
I love how Abbey and Kate's stories mingle, then separate, but still mimic each other. I don't want to ruin anything, so I won't say anything more than that.
The only complaint I have is what happened to the boy who asked out Abbey? He disappeared, never to be heard from again.
I will buy this for my high school library when it is released. I know this book will help some students who might be dealing with similar issues.
I tried to post this review on netgalley.com, but missed the deadline. :(
Abbey has been warned not to try out for the girls basketball team because there are lesbians on the team and she wouldn't want to be associated with *them* during her first year in high school.
Except she is one.
This story is beautifully crafted, not too over the top. You can tell Hesik is around high school aged kids. The language is perfect, the actions are perfect, and the relationships among the kids and faculty are all perfect for high school.
I love how Abbey and Kate's stories mingle, then separate, but still mimic each other. I don't want to ruin anything, so I won't say anything more than that.
The only complaint I have is what happened to the boy who asked out Abbey? He disappeared, never to be heard from again.
I will buy this for my high school library when it is released. I know this book will help some students who might be dealing with similar issues.
I tried to post this review on netgalley.com, but missed the deadline. :(
March 7, 2013
Poignant, touching story about a freshman struggling with her identity - as a student, as a friend, a daughter, and as a lesbian. The cliche "page turner" aptly applies here - the protagonist compels the reader to keep reading and see how her story turns out.
Ending feels like a "To Be Continued..." - hopefully so, as I personally would like to see how the characters continue to evolve.
Ending feels like a "To Be Continued..." - hopefully so, as I personally would like to see how the characters continue to evolve.
May 5, 2025
Good writing and plot. Everything else - either I'm not the right audience or was supposed to make readers dislike it.
Everyone in this book (except for Abbey's mom and maybe Mia) were cheaters/toxic friends/annoying in general, and it was mostly not addressed in a way that felt right to me. I'm also 24 which means this book was probably not meant for people my age.
BUT: I don't believe immaturity or being a teenager is a good reason to cheat, say homophobic shit, pressure people to come out or betray your friends. They were all old enough to know better.
Not something I would be comfortable with my kid reading in high school because Abbey being the narrator gives the impression that she thinks 'it's acceptable behavior because I'm young and figuring myself out' which is very very wrong.
Throughout the book Abbey kept trying to justify her actions with excuses like 'I can't control myself', 'I can't breath without her'... these are awful excuses for cheating and betrayal. She definitely could control herself if she cared about anyone else, but she's being selfish the entire book. Kate is about the same and they deserve each other.
Even though I'm not a high school teen, I think I'm being very fair in this review. It would be a good guide to what not to do in high school, and how relationships shouldn't be. It also gave us a lot to discuss in book club, so that's something.
Everyone in this book (except for Abbey's mom and maybe Mia) were cheaters/toxic friends/annoying in general, and it was mostly not addressed in a way that felt right to me. I'm also 24 which means this book was probably not meant for people my age.
BUT: I don't believe immaturity or being a teenager is a good reason to cheat, say homophobic shit, pressure people to come out or betray your friends. They were all old enough to know better.
Not something I would be comfortable with my kid reading in high school because Abbey being the narrator gives the impression that she thinks 'it's acceptable behavior because I'm young and figuring myself out' which is very very wrong.
Throughout the book Abbey kept trying to justify her actions with excuses like 'I can't control myself', 'I can't breath without her'... these are awful excuses for cheating and betrayal. She definitely could control herself if she cared about anyone else, but she's being selfish the entire book. Kate is about the same and they deserve each other.
Even though I'm not a high school teen, I think I'm being very fair in this review. It would be a good guide to what not to do in high school, and how relationships shouldn't be. It also gave us a lot to discuss in book club, so that's something.
October 13, 2012
This book, omfgasdfjhksflbbbbtSQUEE.
So I started it yesterday and could not put it down from the first page! Until it was super late and I was only halfway through, and my alarm was set for 7:25am (allowing for two, maybe three, hits of snooze, although on my new phone I have to be careful because what was snooze on my OLD phone is cancel alarm on the new. At least that kind of makes me wake up faster because I have to be aware of exactly what button I'm sleepily pressing)... anyway, there was no way I could stay up until 1 or so to finish this last night. But then when I got home today: oh boy, straight on with a pot of peppermint tea and straight back into the book! (Two pots of peppermint tea totally count as dinner, right? I kind of got sidetracked.)
THIS BOOK, OH MY. It's just amazing. Firstly, the writing is so brilliant and engaging that it could have been a list of cottage cheese recipes and I would have been giggling along and squealing and loving it. Story aside, I just loved Abbey and loved her voice, she was so real and vibrant and, yep, so familiar. Reminded me a lot of me, and it's nice to read about someone where you have that kind of a connection.
And then, the story! YAY! Would you believe I didn't know this was a gay book before I started reading?! I know, right? It somehow slipped under my radar and then I just nonchalantly requested the e-galley without a clue in the world... clearly, it was meant to be. This book and I? It's FATE. Because not only was it surprise!gay, it was surprise!GOOD gay. Now, I read anything gay I can get my hands on pretty much, and there's a lot out there that isn't really all that great, that I'm pretty much only struggling through because the girls are kissing the girls. This book? NOT one of those. This book? Fucking hell five stars and then some if you please! It's just brilliant and I want to take it behind the bike shed and make out with it. I loved Abbey's coming out process so much and one of the parts I really loved was her reaction to being asked out by a boy, and how that actually made her blush and everything too, and how she liked his attention, and then how awfully confused she was because wait, he's a boy and Hot Dog on a Stick Chick is a girl and OMG HELP. (Also, best nickname ever! Although there is a character on an opposing basketball team nicknamed The Fridge, which made me laugh so hard I got tea up my nose, because a certain housemate of mine and I used to work with someone we nicknamed The Fridge, because that's how sweet and kind we are. So the basketball Fridge made me visualise the ex-work Fridge, and much hilarity ensued.)
I just realised that the boy kind of disappeared after Abbey was forbidden from going out with him. Which explains why I can't remember his name.
Keeta, aka Hot Dog on a Stick Chick, was a fabulous character as well, although in the end not particularly likeable. She is SUCH a player, and it was just really interesting to read about her and Abbey because it was kind of like a typical m/f high school romance... only with two girls. Keeta was a total player with double standards out the wazoo and Abbey just kept following after her like a lost little puppy, no matter how badly she was treated, giving second chance after second chance... it wasn't all sunshine and roses, yet neither was it all doom and gloom, which is where a lot of glbt high school romances seem to sit. It was refreshingly different for the genre, but so similar to a lot of straight books, and I LOVED THAT SO MUCH. Why are there not more books like this???
I love that the title has Freshman Year on the end, because it makes me think there'll be one for each of Abbey's years of high school. PLEASE.
I loved Mia by the way! And was a little sad that they didn't hook up at the end, but then I was also pleased, because it was again nice to have something realistic instead of all neatly wrapped up with a bow, happily ever after style, you know? The end of a school year isn't an END, it's just... there. A point in life. Things don't have to be all sorted out by the last page. Same again with Abbey not coming out to her mom. I kept wanting her to and groaning when again she didn't, but in the end I'm happy with her holding off until another time. Not everything has to be said in the one book. It leaves stuff for a sequel AND just generally, not everything has to be said even if it's the only book. You can tell how things will go anyway, more or less. You know her mom will be cool with it.
I'm so glad she and Kate made up as well, and that Abbey's fears were mostly ungrounded. I also really liked Jenn, and enjoyed Stef and G a whole lot :D Such a great cast of characters, seriously! I can't think of a single thing in this book that I didn't like, really. Except for the fact that it had to end at all? :P
So I started it yesterday and could not put it down from the first page! Until it was super late and I was only halfway through, and my alarm was set for 7:25am (allowing for two, maybe three, hits of snooze, although on my new phone I have to be careful because what was snooze on my OLD phone is cancel alarm on the new. At least that kind of makes me wake up faster because I have to be aware of exactly what button I'm sleepily pressing)... anyway, there was no way I could stay up until 1 or so to finish this last night. But then when I got home today: oh boy, straight on with a pot of peppermint tea and straight back into the book! (Two pots of peppermint tea totally count as dinner, right? I kind of got sidetracked.)
THIS BOOK, OH MY. It's just amazing. Firstly, the writing is so brilliant and engaging that it could have been a list of cottage cheese recipes and I would have been giggling along and squealing and loving it. Story aside, I just loved Abbey and loved her voice, she was so real and vibrant and, yep, so familiar. Reminded me a lot of me, and it's nice to read about someone where you have that kind of a connection.
And then, the story! YAY! Would you believe I didn't know this was a gay book before I started reading?! I know, right? It somehow slipped under my radar and then I just nonchalantly requested the e-galley without a clue in the world... clearly, it was meant to be. This book and I? It's FATE. Because not only was it surprise!gay, it was surprise!GOOD gay. Now, I read anything gay I can get my hands on pretty much, and there's a lot out there that isn't really all that great, that I'm pretty much only struggling through because the girls are kissing the girls. This book? NOT one of those. This book? Fucking hell five stars and then some if you please! It's just brilliant and I want to take it behind the bike shed and make out with it. I loved Abbey's coming out process so much and one of the parts I really loved was her reaction to being asked out by a boy, and how that actually made her blush and everything too, and how she liked his attention, and then how awfully confused she was because wait, he's a boy and Hot Dog on a Stick Chick is a girl and OMG HELP. (Also, best nickname ever! Although there is a character on an opposing basketball team nicknamed The Fridge, which made me laugh so hard I got tea up my nose, because a certain housemate of mine and I used to work with someone we nicknamed The Fridge, because that's how sweet and kind we are. So the basketball Fridge made me visualise the ex-work Fridge, and much hilarity ensued.)
I just realised that the boy kind of disappeared after Abbey was forbidden from going out with him. Which explains why I can't remember his name.
Keeta, aka Hot Dog on a Stick Chick, was a fabulous character as well, although in the end not particularly likeable. She is SUCH a player, and it was just really interesting to read about her and Abbey because it was kind of like a typical m/f high school romance... only with two girls. Keeta was a total player with double standards out the wazoo and Abbey just kept following after her like a lost little puppy, no matter how badly she was treated, giving second chance after second chance... it wasn't all sunshine and roses, yet neither was it all doom and gloom, which is where a lot of glbt high school romances seem to sit. It was refreshingly different for the genre, but so similar to a lot of straight books, and I LOVED THAT SO MUCH. Why are there not more books like this???
I love that the title has Freshman Year on the end, because it makes me think there'll be one for each of Abbey's years of high school. PLEASE.
I loved Mia by the way! And was a little sad that they didn't hook up at the end, but then I was also pleased, because it was again nice to have something realistic instead of all neatly wrapped up with a bow, happily ever after style, you know? The end of a school year isn't an END, it's just... there. A point in life. Things don't have to be all sorted out by the last page. Same again with Abbey not coming out to her mom. I kept wanting her to and groaning when again she didn't, but in the end I'm happy with her holding off until another time. Not everything has to be said in the one book. It leaves stuff for a sequel AND just generally, not everything has to be said even if it's the only book. You can tell how things will go anyway, more or less. You know her mom will be cool with it.
I'm so glad she and Kate made up as well, and that Abbey's fears were mostly ungrounded. I also really liked Jenn, and enjoyed Stef and G a whole lot :D Such a great cast of characters, seriously! I can't think of a single thing in this book that I didn't like, really. Except for the fact that it had to end at all? :P
March 13, 2017
Very realistic, reminds me of my own innocent, bewilder, chaotic freshmeat time. I think it has a The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants feel to it, which I loved to read as a teen.
October 28, 2012
Every now and again you read a book which is different and refreshing - for me The You Know Who Girls was just that. Annameekee has a way of writing which brings the characters to life with emotions and vitality.
I do feel that this book won't appeal to everyone, just because (For some) of the subject matter. Sadly in this day and age there is still people who can't accept its ok to have feelings for someone of the same sex. What I loved about this book was how Annameekee addressed Abby's feelings, questions and gave us an outcome that didn't leave me with questions.
I really loved Abby as a character too, I feel many girls will be able to relate to her on so many levels. Many people ask the question, 'Am I, aren't I?' and this book in my opinion reiterates the answer, its ok to ask!!
A great coming of age story, of emotions, romance and finding who you are. I recommend this book to so many people and found it really hard to put down!
I gave The You Know Who Girls 4 stars out of 5!
I do feel that this book won't appeal to everyone, just because (For some) of the subject matter. Sadly in this day and age there is still people who can't accept its ok to have feelings for someone of the same sex. What I loved about this book was how Annameekee addressed Abby's feelings, questions and gave us an outcome that didn't leave me with questions.
I really loved Abby as a character too, I feel many girls will be able to relate to her on so many levels. Many people ask the question, 'Am I, aren't I?' and this book in my opinion reiterates the answer, its ok to ask!!
A great coming of age story, of emotions, romance and finding who you are. I recommend this book to so many people and found it really hard to put down!
I gave The You Know Who Girls 4 stars out of 5!
November 5, 2012
If only stories like this were available when I was going through high school I would have felt so much more comfortable. Annameekee Hesik did a wonderful job of bringing in all the feelings that high school students experience in this well written story following Abbey Brooks' first year. So well written in fact that I went through the whole slew of feelings indicative of high school: confusion, frustration, love, hate, being an outcast and finally finding that acceptance. Following Abbey through her first crush, first kiss, lies, betrayals, growing up and moving through a broken heart brought back my own memories of freshman year and high school in general. Though this story is focused toward young adults, I believe that readers of any age and any orientation will love this character and cheer her on to making good decisions and learning what it means to be a young woman surviving the pressures of high school, love, family and friends. I am definitely looking forward to more of Ms. Hesik's future work.
March 22, 2017
So many mixed feelings. On the one hand, I feel like if you're a young queer girl, this could be a really great "I'm not alone, this stuff is all healthy and normal, and so's not finding the love of your life at 14-15, and so's not fully coming out" book. On the other hand, while cheating isn't a deal breaker for me, it's really hard to enjoy this book or anyone in it when everyone cheats on each other. It's just sort of unpleasantly gross. It's not like it's a "queer girls can't be trusted" gross trope - the only major straight character's boyfriend cheats on her too - but by the end I was sort of just like, "Look, if you guys don't give a shit about each other's feelings at all, I just can't anymore either." (Also, several wince-y moments of stuff like referring to the black girl in the book as "chocolate" in a way that actually made her borderline sound like an inanimate object. I know the intentions aren't bad, especially since there's strong effort at racial diversity - everyone in it speaks a lot of Spanish, somehow, to the point where I couldn't even remember who was actually Latina and who wasn't - but, ya know, *wince.*) I think overall I come out on the side of positive for this one, especially since it was a fast read, and I'll probably pick up the sequel. Particularly recommend for fans of Sara Farizan's Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel.
October 2, 2012
I have really liked that book, the story is well written and captivating.
I have been able not only to enjoy the POV of Abbey(and be in her mind is really funny) but I have been also glad to can be reminded about my life at 14/15years old...so this story is really realistic.
This book talk about family, friendship, first-love, sport, school and how to come to terms with sexuality when as a girl you fall in love for the first time with another girl (and for once it's not a fall for the BFF, and that make much more enjoyable the read for me).
I have been really impressed and I don't have nothing bad to tell about it, but I have the hope that some issue that at the end are left open could be addressed is a second book or a sequel.
In fact at the end of that book I have the impression that the more mysterious character from the start, Keeta, remains the person that I know less...I would have liked to know her more and to know more about her family history...but if the intention of the author was to take my attention for a possible sequel, then she have make a really good job, because I really want to know so much more about Amara & Keeta!!!
Also I have see that this book title is--- "The You Know Who Girls: Freshman Year"
so I hope that this is already an indication that another book will be soon available about the Sophomore, Junior or Senior year
I have been able not only to enjoy the POV of Abbey(and be in her mind is really funny) but I have been also glad to can be reminded about my life at 14/15years old...so this story is really realistic.
This book talk about family, friendship, first-love, sport, school and how to come to terms with sexuality when as a girl you fall in love for the first time with another girl (and for once it's not a fall for the BFF, and that make much more enjoyable the read for me).
I have been really impressed and I don't have nothing bad to tell about it, but I have the hope that some issue that at the end are left open could be addressed is a second book or a sequel.
In fact at the end of that book I have the impression that the more mysterious character from the start, Keeta, remains the person that I know less...I would have liked to know her more and to know more about her family history...but if the intention of the author was to take my attention for a possible sequel, then she have make a really good job, because I really want to know so much more about Amara & Keeta!!!
Also I have see that this book title is--- "The You Know Who Girls: Freshman Year"
so I hope that this is already an indication that another book will be soon available about the Sophomore, Junior or Senior year
May 25, 2015
3.3/3.5, but rounding up.
This book had a lot of diversity! Which is something I care deeply about! And if this were a TV show, it would probably be on ABC Family because of all the diversity!
This was kind of a typical coming out story, but still enjoyable. I liked the basketball element, and that the main character started messing up her grades because she was so distracted by everything (which is very realistic for someone who has just started high school). There was a friendship I questioned, but the friend redeemed herself at the end. The one thing that bugged me is the thing that annoys me about a lot of YA queer stories: someone comes out and then suddenly there are a plethora of queer people who are interested in them. Really? I came out in college and there were not seven billion women suddenly wanting to date me. I get that you want your character to move on from someone, but it's not always necessary to have them move from one person to another person. They can get their heartbroken and then have to put themselves back together and be single for a second.
Regardless, I enjoyed this.
This book had a lot of diversity! Which is something I care deeply about! And if this were a TV show, it would probably be on ABC Family because of all the diversity!
This was kind of a typical coming out story, but still enjoyable. I liked the basketball element, and that the main character started messing up her grades because she was so distracted by everything (which is very realistic for someone who has just started high school). There was a friendship I questioned, but the friend redeemed herself at the end. The one thing that bugged me is the thing that annoys me about a lot of YA queer stories: someone comes out and then suddenly there are a plethora of queer people who are interested in them. Really? I came out in college and there were not seven billion women suddenly wanting to date me. I get that you want your character to move on from someone, but it's not always necessary to have them move from one person to another person. They can get their heartbroken and then have to put themselves back together and be single for a second.
Regardless, I enjoyed this.
Read
August 16, 2014I really enjoyed this book. It's one of those stories where I didn't want to put it down until I was done reading.
The characters were great. Abbey was a cool protagonist and her friends from the basketball team were a riot. The story is unique and thought provoking. And the dialogue really grabbed my attention. I loved some of the conversations between Abbey and her mom or Abby and Kate's sister.
I definitely would recommend this book to a friend, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!
The characters were great. Abbey was a cool protagonist and her friends from the basketball team were a riot. The story is unique and thought provoking. And the dialogue really grabbed my attention. I loved some of the conversations between Abbey and her mom or Abby and Kate's sister.
I definitely would recommend this book to a friend, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!
July 4, 2014
Firstly I'm a huge wnba fan, and the fact this book was obviously about women and basketball I just had to read it! And it was worth every penny. It almost makes me wish I was apart of this story and was one of the "you know who girls".
As soon as I finished the book (which only took me a day) I checked to see if there was a sequel which there is and I believe is due out for release December of this year. Which I am trying to wait patiently for!
I'd recommend this book 100%
As soon as I finished the book (which only took me a day) I checked to see if there was a sequel which there is and I believe is due out for release December of this year. Which I am trying to wait patiently for!
I'd recommend this book 100%
April 23, 2021
Rating: 2.5 / 5, rounded for Goodreads and rounded down because it feels more like a 2 than a 3.
Complicated feelings on this one! This book started very well and I can say with confidence that I liked all the characters, save for Abbey's(the MC) best friends. I loved reading about her crush on "Stick Chick"- as I'll call her for fear of spoilers- and the friends she made in high school, as well as her love of basketball. It's all a very sweet- at first.
However well the book does in the first act gets just... ruined. She breaks up with a friend who's homophobic, but before and after their break up implies heavily she should feel bad about lying about her sexuality, which? Sexuality is something very personal and Abbey had every right to be in the closet, especially considering the friend was a homophobe! And then when her and the friend reconnect it's made to seem like Abbey had fault in the break-up when the friend stopped hanging out with her because she was gay?? What the fuck???
This next bit is a bit more spoiler-y, but I also feel like it's important stuff to take note of for this book, so beware.
It turns out one of her new friends on the basketball team is dating Stick Chick. Instead of laying off, Abbey pursues her anyway, and when the friend finds out it feels like there were no real consequences because she moves away right after. The other friend knew about the whole thing and encouraged Abbey, which was wrong and rubbed me the wrong way. This book also felt really creepy? Abbey is fourteen, just entering high-school, and this seventeen-year-old keeps calling her sexy and talking about wanting to have sex with her. The furthest they ever go is making out / being naked with each other but it just felt really gross. And I think that's what this book has a lot of- older people who should have known better, but don't act like it. Yes, I get they are only two years older than Abbey, but it's less about actual age gap and the MATURITY gap. I felt like Abbey was just. Getting taken advantage of. It's messed up, gross, and never addressed.
I just felt like Abbey was being groomed throughout this and then continued being groomed till the end, even when she breaks up with the girl. In the second and third act it feels like all of the characters turn shitty! Everyone I originally liked turned into very gross people, except for this one girl who got better but was shitty in the first act(and it felt like she didn't really get better either, just got put in a good light). There were just so many issues. And everyone cheated on each other, which felt weird. I've noticed this trend in wlw for the main character to be in a toxic relationship, the arc for them to realize it's bad, and then they get out and either date someone else or set up a new love interest. I hope this isn't an actual thing and I've just coincidentally read bad books, but either way wlw and really any sexuality deserves better than that. Show me happy lesbians!!!
The writing here was good in itself, save for a few weird moments(I think the passage of time was shown weirdly, and a few characters just kind of disappeared out of the narrative). The plot started great. It just all crashed and burned into a depressing pile of... something, really. All in all it just felt gross, and most of that was caused by the main characters maturity / age. I honestly would not recommend and was hugely disappointed.
Complicated feelings on this one! This book started very well and I can say with confidence that I liked all the characters, save for Abbey's(the MC) best friends. I loved reading about her crush on "Stick Chick"- as I'll call her for fear of spoilers- and the friends she made in high school, as well as her love of basketball. It's all a very sweet- at first.
However well the book does in the first act gets just... ruined. She breaks up with a friend who's homophobic, but before and after their break up implies heavily she should feel bad about lying about her sexuality, which? Sexuality is something very personal and Abbey had every right to be in the closet, especially considering the friend was a homophobe! And then when her and the friend reconnect it's made to seem like Abbey had fault in the break-up when the friend stopped hanging out with her because she was gay?? What the fuck???
This next bit is a bit more spoiler-y, but I also feel like it's important stuff to take note of for this book, so beware.
It turns out one of her new friends on the basketball team is dating Stick Chick. Instead of laying off, Abbey pursues her anyway, and when the friend finds out it feels like there were no real consequences because she moves away right after. The other friend knew about the whole thing and encouraged Abbey, which was wrong and rubbed me the wrong way. This book also felt really creepy? Abbey is fourteen, just entering high-school, and this seventeen-year-old keeps calling her sexy and talking about wanting to have sex with her. The furthest they ever go is making out / being naked with each other but it just felt really gross. And I think that's what this book has a lot of- older people who should have known better, but don't act like it. Yes, I get they are only two years older than Abbey, but it's less about actual age gap and the MATURITY gap. I felt like Abbey was just. Getting taken advantage of. It's messed up, gross, and never addressed.
I just felt like Abbey was being groomed throughout this and then continued being groomed till the end, even when she breaks up with the girl. In the second and third act it feels like all of the characters turn shitty! Everyone I originally liked turned into very gross people, except for this one girl who got better but was shitty in the first act(and it felt like she didn't really get better either, just got put in a good light). There were just so many issues. And everyone cheated on each other, which felt weird. I've noticed this trend in wlw for the main character to be in a toxic relationship, the arc for them to realize it's bad, and then they get out and either date someone else or set up a new love interest. I hope this isn't an actual thing and I've just coincidentally read bad books, but either way wlw and really any sexuality deserves better than that. Show me happy lesbians!!!
The writing here was good in itself, save for a few weird moments(I think the passage of time was shown weirdly, and a few characters just kind of disappeared out of the narrative). The plot started great. It just all crashed and burned into a depressing pile of... something, really. All in all it just felt gross, and most of that was caused by the main characters maturity / age. I honestly would not recommend and was hugely disappointed.
November 25, 2023
Reread this old favorite of mine from when I was in high school.
Technically doesn't hold all the way up to a five stars (rounding up because I just need to) because I'm a more mature and experienced person now, but I'll never forget meeting Annameekee when I was 17 and how she sent me signed copies of both of her books after I lost them when I moved to college.
This book changed my life when I first read it, and I still love Abbey Broooks as a character. Who knows, we had so much in common when I was her age, we could be very similar these days. Wish Annameekee had ended up writing junior and senior year, but I'm happy with the two books I've kept on my shelves for almost a decade💜
Technically doesn't hold all the way up to a five stars (rounding up because I just need to) because I'm a more mature and experienced person now, but I'll never forget meeting Annameekee when I was 17 and how she sent me signed copies of both of her books after I lost them when I moved to college.
This book changed my life when I first read it, and I still love Abbey Broooks as a character. Who knows, we had so much in common when I was her age, we could be very similar these days. Wish Annameekee had ended up writing junior and senior year, but I'm happy with the two books I've kept on my shelves for almost a decade💜
January 26, 2018
It's been awhile since I've read any YA books, but I enjoyed this. It's well written and flows very well. Sometimes I want to strangle a character or two but they are teenagers so that probably normal. This is a good YA self discovery story about a 14/15 year old girl that joins the school basketball team. It contains some of the struggles that a questioning teen would face and how she deals with them as best as her teenage self can. Maybe wrong, maybe right but she accepts her wrongs and does her best to fix them both on and off the court.
June 15, 2017
This is an incredible book about finding out who you are and the trials that come with it. Hesik creates believeable characters that you just want everything to work out for, The pace is steady and made me feel like I was back in high school again with all the drama and confusion. This is definately a book I can recommend to students because it is not explicit. In fact it is almost painful in it's curiosity and innocence, in a good way.
September 7, 2017
What a great book, Annameekee Hesik really makes the character of Abbey come to life. She has for a great witty way of writing that will make you laugh out loud in places and really feel for Abbey in others. I can relate to the daydreaming sequences, they are so true to life. Can't wait to read the next in the series.
Recommended for gay, straight, male. female, alien or clever animals. You will not regret reading this book - I promise.
Recommended for gay, straight, male. female, alien or clever animals. You will not regret reading this book - I promise.
March 29, 2019
Realistically Imperfect
I loved following the complex, confusing & uncertain journey into high school for Abbey & Kate!!! Felt very realistic in the struggles, difficulties & obstacles to find who they are & where they fit in & where they want to be, all while figuring out how to love.
I loved following the complex, confusing & uncertain journey into high school for Abbey & Kate!!! Felt very realistic in the struggles, difficulties & obstacles to find who they are & where they fit in & where they want to be, all while figuring out how to love.
May 6, 2024
Lots of the usual teenage drama, but really well written. So I was flowing through the pages. It was definitely a young adult novel, but as a mature adult I still enjoyed reading this. Though it was a fitting ending, it wasn't exactly satisfying for me. Not really HEA. That's why I'm looking forward to reading the sequel. Maybe I'll start right away.
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