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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
I am really disturbed that this book is about a particular trans teen, but the illustrations do not depict her; she has been whitewashed. The story is GREAT and is definitely a good resource for parents and teachers looking to help young kids understand transgender people more, but the fact that the girl in the book is pale and rosy-cheeked with light brown hair, while Jazz Jennings herself has dark hair and olive skin makes me sad.
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
This is a good introduction to transgenderism. It barely scrapes the surface and leans heavily on 'gender norms' and stereotypes (Girls like pink, ballet and mermaids. Boys like trucks and soccer). But it gets the point across, it sets up the foundations for more discussion and deeper understanding.
Content Warnings
Minor: Transphobia
An important book and a great conversation starter, but I agree with some of the criticism it has received. Using terms like "girl's brain" and "boy's body" is confusing. It's not just her brain that's a girl: SHE'S a girl who the world perceives to be a boy. But, I'm glad that this book exists for this age range so it can help to teach acceptance very early on.
I read this as part of my library's collection of challenged books. Book banning is contrary to the very basic tenets of international human rights.
This is a charming book about a child with a girl's brain but a boy's body, and how they came to work with their parents to find a way to deal with the challenges this created.
What your child will learn from this book:
You can be who you are. Those who care will love you no matter what.
Being different is okay.
What's important is that you are happy with who you are.
There may be times when others will tease what they don't understand, but the people who get to know you usually will be your friend.
Different is special.
What matters most is what a person is like inside.
Anyone can be their true self.
If you just stay strong and keep moving forward, and just stay true to yourself without giving up, one day things will get better and you will be able to live your life as your true, authentic self.
I'm not sure how anyone can find fault with these life lessons.
Five jazzy stars.
My standard disclaimer: There's nothing subversive, obscene, or pornographic about this book for anyone, with the possible exception of those out to find subversion, obscenity, and pornography at any cost.
This is a charming book about a child with a girl's brain but a boy's body, and how they came to work with their parents to find a way to deal with the challenges this created.
What your child will learn from this book:
You can be who you are. Those who care will love you no matter what.
Being different is okay.
What's important is that you are happy with who you are.
There may be times when others will tease what they don't understand, but the people who get to know you usually will be your friend.
Different is special.
What matters most is what a person is like inside.
Anyone can be their true self.
If you just stay strong and keep moving forward, and just stay true to yourself without giving up, one day things will get better and you will be able to live your life as your true, authentic self.
I'm not sure how anyone can find fault with these life lessons.
Five jazzy stars.
My standard disclaimer: There's nothing subversive, obscene, or pornographic about this book for anyone, with the possible exception of those out to find subversion, obscenity, and pornography at any cost.
I love Jazz's story so I guess I just wanted more from this story. It was a good beginner's book, but I think that there should have been a little more information on what it means to be transgender. A lot of people don't understand what that really means so I think a book like this would serve as a great tool to help children understand what it really means to be transgender. I hope that Jazz does decide to write a memoir about her experiences one day. I definitely would pick that up.
In 2019, the word transgender brings contention when uttered in polite circles. When you put it in a children’s picture book, all bets are off.
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But here’s the thing. Why must “polite circles” (that term makes me slightly retch, mind you) decide what is acceptable? Shouldn’t our books reflect what is happening in every day life, bring to the forefront what has only been whispered about, and allow fair representation for all?
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“Books are sometimes windows, offering views of worlds that may be real or imagined, familiar or strange. These windows are also sliding glass doors, and readers have only to walk through in imagination to become part of whatever world has been created and recreated by the author. When lighting conditions are just right, however, a window can also be a mirror. Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience. Reading, then, becomes a means of self-affirmation, and readers often seek their mirrors in books.” -Rudine Sims Bishop
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But here’s the thing. Why must “polite circles” (that term makes me slightly retch, mind you) decide what is acceptable? Shouldn’t our books reflect what is happening in every day life, bring to the forefront what has only been whispered about, and allow fair representation for all?
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“Books are sometimes windows, offering views of worlds that may be real or imagined, familiar or strange. These windows are also sliding glass doors, and readers have only to walk through in imagination to become part of whatever world has been created and recreated by the author. When lighting conditions are just right, however, a window can also be a mirror. Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience. Reading, then, becomes a means of self-affirmation, and readers often seek their mirrors in books.” -Rudine Sims Bishop
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Read for 2023 Banned Books Week while at my library and quite enjoyed it. I used to watch the television show, and this is the only reason that I knew the book even existed. I am less surprised it's on the banned book list since it speaks about being transgender.