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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Jazz Jennings' early years navigating her knowledge that she is a girl, expressing that to her family, and figuring out her transition. Simple text offers an introduction to gender identity.
Frequently challenged for its portrayal of gender identity and transgender life: https://bannedbooksweek.org/banned-spotlight-i-am-jazz/
Frequently challenged for its portrayal of gender identity and transgender life: https://bannedbooksweek.org/banned-spotlight-i-am-jazz/
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
there's some great reviews further down for why it won't get 5 stars from me but it's good that it exists at all.
Well, I can see why this pissed off some people. Terrible people, but some people. Transphobic people, generally.
Told with the assistance of Jessica Herthel, this is the actual story of Jazz Jennings, a transgirl. It's quite a cheerful book, which is so nice, in a world where parents with trans children often go kind of nuts. Jazz presents a sort of perfect idea of how a family should react to the news: they assure their daughter they love her the same as always and life just goes on. There are a few notes about prejudice in her community, but not all that much. Jazz is just a cheerful girl, enjoying pink and dancing and sports, who just happens to have briefly been seen as a boy.
I actually like how little preparation we're given at the start of the book for the subject matter. No long explanation of what being transgender is, no sub-title to give it away. The only initial clue would be the dust jacket blurb. On the one hand, I can see this having been part of why it was challenged so frequently, as parents would read this and suddenly find themselves faced with explaining what "transgender" means to their child (buck up, do it, it's not hard). On the other hand, it means that kids can be shown what a normal person Jazz is before we learn that she is both normal and transgender (I really had to re-word that sentence, because I kept almost implying she was not normal, which is wrong). This could be especially good for a child who shares Jazz's experiences, whether they and their family are sure about things yet or not. It shows that this is a thing which happens, and you don't have to be bothered by it. (Especially since, generally, there will be plenty of times to be bothered later, but let's focus on getting the young ones comfy in this book, neh?)
Definitely, 100% should not be a banned book. Granted, I am against banned books to start, but this book will save lives, and, with any luck, change the minds of a few people startled to find themselves reading about a loving, energetic girl who happens to be transgender.
Told with the assistance of Jessica Herthel, this is the actual story of Jazz Jennings, a transgirl. It's quite a cheerful book, which is so nice, in a world where parents with trans children often go kind of nuts. Jazz presents a sort of perfect idea of how a family should react to the news: they assure their daughter they love her the same as always and life just goes on. There are a few notes about prejudice in her community, but not all that much. Jazz is just a cheerful girl, enjoying pink and dancing and sports, who just happens to have briefly been seen as a boy.
I actually like how little preparation we're given at the start of the book for the subject matter. No long explanation of what being transgender is, no sub-title to give it away. The only initial clue would be the dust jacket blurb. On the one hand, I can see this having been part of why it was challenged so frequently, as parents would read this and suddenly find themselves faced with explaining what "transgender" means to their child (buck up, do it, it's not hard). On the other hand, it means that kids can be shown what a normal person Jazz is before we learn that she is both normal and transgender (I really had to re-word that sentence, because I kept almost implying she was not normal, which is wrong). This could be especially good for a child who shares Jazz's experiences, whether they and their family are sure about things yet or not. It shows that this is a thing which happens, and you don't have to be bothered by it. (Especially since, generally, there will be plenty of times to be bothered later, but let's focus on getting the young ones comfy in this book, neh?)
Definitely, 100% should not be a banned book. Granted, I am against banned books to start, but this book will save lives, and, with any luck, change the minds of a few people startled to find themselves reading about a loving, energetic girl who happens to be transgender.
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
I disagree with any kind of gender / sexuality information directed at children. This goes for ALL kinds, straight very much included.
I think we have politically and generally gotten obsessed and in a few ways stuck on these troubles (right vs left more so than anything concrete) and these issues are very much adult problems that should not spill into our children’s lives.
While it is great to have a trans character in a children’s book. I don’t appreciate that they changed Jazz’s skin tone and almost shamed stereotypes and non conformity equally which for children is extremely confusing.
On top of inappropriate
I think we have politically and generally gotten obsessed and in a few ways stuck on these troubles (right vs left more so than anything concrete) and these issues are very much adult problems that should not spill into our children’s lives.
While it is great to have a trans character in a children’s book. I don’t appreciate that they changed Jazz’s skin tone and almost shamed stereotypes and non conformity equally which for children is extremely confusing.
On top of inappropriate
If you take issue with this book, you're a soulless monster. Full stop. In reading banned books, I bought this one as a switch to something lighter that would give me a spot of hope in the world. It's a short read and it made me smile.
What a much needed book! It seems very thoughtful and sensitive to me and the illustrations are very appealing. If I still worked in a library I would definitely buy this for my collection.