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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
I wanted to like this but I had several issues. The first one is that the book seems to have whitewashed Jazz Jennings. Secondly, the text reinforces the gender binary by using terms like "boy clothes" and "boy body." See Mizuki's Goodreads review for a more thorough analysis.
This is the children's version of the book that Jazz Jennings wrote for young adults as a young adult. Jessica Herthel brings Jazz's story to younger readers with simple but profound words. Shelagh McNicholas' illustrations are realistic and beautifully convey Jazz's emotions before, during, and after transitioning to living as the girl she always knew she was. This book was banned due to it portraying a transgender character. I highly recommend this book to young readers and adults alike for a sweet, educational story about encouraging kids to be themselves.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Not an in depth analysis, but some thoughts.
-it was so cute
-it was very "born this way" type of narrative but let's excuse that
-an important book, and i love that it has been received so well
-i would read this to my (siblings') children
-it was so cute
-it was very "born this way" type of narrative but let's excuse that
-an important book, and i love that it has been received so well
-i would read this to my (siblings') children
I love that Jazz wrote her story for kids. I love that trans kids can see that they’re not alone and I love that cisgender kids can see a different life in this book. I appreciated that she talked about her feelings about when she is misgendered.
I’ve know of Jazz for years and it’s great to read this nook about her childhood and see her today.
I’ve know of Jazz for years and it’s great to read this nook about her childhood and see her today.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Content Warnings
Minor: Deadnaming
A decent picture book on normalizing transgender issues for children, but I have a quibble with its use of traditional "girl" preferences to illustrate that Jazz is a girl.
I am Jazz is a cute introduction to what it means to be trans to help kids understand. I think it's a solid introduction, and worth a read, but best to be combined with other LGBTQIA+ kid-friendly books.
The story is laid out nicely, and the tone is straightforward and informative, but still lets you see into Jazz's feelings and experiences. The illustrations are very cute. The book addresses a topic that I think kids deserve to have discussed with them.
The illustrations also seem to lighten her skin-tone a fair bit, which I was less than fond of. The narrative also seems to really reinforce the gender binary in a way that I didn't think was helpful, and would potentially be hurtful.
I do think this was a good place to start with kids regarding trans identity, but I also think that it's the kind of book that requires following up with other books to accompany it.
The story is laid out nicely, and the tone is straightforward and informative, but still lets you see into Jazz's feelings and experiences. The illustrations are very cute. The book addresses a topic that I think kids deserve to have discussed with them.
The illustrations also seem to lighten her skin-tone a fair bit, which I was less than fond of. The narrative also seems to really reinforce the gender binary in a way that I didn't think was helpful, and would potentially be hurtful.
I do think this was a good place to start with kids regarding trans identity, but I also think that it's the kind of book that requires following up with other books to accompany it.
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was all around, a very helpful and good book to introduce trans characters and trans people in general to kids. Seeing as it is a real person's story, and she wrote it when she was younger, it was nice to see her get her story out there in such a useful, short, and cute way. I believe it would be beneficial to read this book to your kids, especially since this is a popular book to be banned in schools and libraries across the U.S.