Reviews with content warning for Medical content - Gender Queer: een memoir

Gender Queer is the first graphic novel I’ve ever read. I loved that this memoir was a graphic novel I think that it made the content even more approachable for readers. I read this book quickly in one sitting. I really felt for Maia as I read. Also, the illustrations in this book were fabulous. I would totally recommend this book!

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cateyeschloe's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0

This is such a fantastic book!

I can’t speak highly enough about how well the author conveys eir story. The journey flows smoothly and e conveys immense introspection easily and beautifully.

I regularly see one of the main reasons this book is banned being due to “pornography”, which is a painful stretch to say the least. At best, Maia dives into eir often uncomfortable journey to discovering the meaning of asexuality and the discomfort and pain experimentation can bring.

Adults seem to often (and sometimes willfully) forget that children and teenagers are people, too. Experimentation and growing in your sexuality and your familiarity with your own body are normal parts of childhood. Few of us could say we didn’t have the same or similar thoughts and experiences growing up as Maia describes. What makes someone think other children are any different?

The only thing these sections of the book provide are a lived experience, one that Maia offers to share - as a comfort, as something to relate to, as something to not feel alone or freakish. E normalizes things that *are* normal and makes them less scary and foreign. I wish I had had that as a child.

My only slight discomfort with the content of this book is the prevalence of influence the Harry Potter franchise has in Maia’s story throughout. However, given the decade and culture e grew up in, it’s not surprising at all and it is true to eir story, ironic as it is.

Everyone should read this book to gain some insight through the window of Maia’s story. If you have never questioned your gender or sexual identity, this is a great opportunity to understand a little better what those experiences are like on the other side. And if you have gone through or currently are on this journey, this book is a fantastic exploration of the ups and downs, questions and answers that come from introspection and growth.

I can’t recommend Gender Queer enough!

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emoryscott's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

As a transgender reader, I loved this book. If I had read this in middle school or high school, I would have understood myself a lot better. I’m sad that this book has risen the ranks of banned books to become THE most banned book in America. I hope this book gets into the hands of the people who need it somehow.

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ceilidhwilliams's review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

mostly this was great, I did find the passages about how e masturbate unnecessary, and bizarre that e talk with eir sister about 'tasting themselves' and share eir sex toys with family

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mediumangle's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

I’m happy to have listened to the raving reviews of how this book tackles the experience of gender; Maia Kobabe does an amazing job of portraying eir experience with gender and the constant internal battle that most queer kids have growing up. This book made me feel very seen and also had me crying in a couple parts! Will be recommending this book to anyone who will listen

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bao_bao's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

Informing others on the concept of gender identity is important to our future generations. Whether that's to be represented, heard, educated, or becoming an ally. I hope to see more of this being developed in the near future.

My only complaint about this graphic novel was that it ended very abruptly.

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sarahmae531's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative medium-paced

4.5

I’ve been trying to dip my toes into more graphic novels, and this was a great book to start with! Not only are the illustrations beautiful, but Maia’s story is very informative and educational when it comes to gender queer and non-binary people.
A super quick read, read in one sitting, and would definitely recommend to any one, especially those looking to learn more about gender identities.

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