Reviews

Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe

awildshey's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

waterbear0821's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

3.75

I am not a graphic novel fan but this has been on my list to read since it came out. It’s a very effective memoir and a very quick read (how long is it supposed to take to read a graphic novel? Am I doing it wrong??). I had several “wow” moments reading. I would recommend this to pretty much anyone. 

Eta: I am very like this author and that’s probably why I rated this book unusually low. It feels too vulnerable. 100% glad this book exists and that it’s been so popular. 

thomasr417's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.75

charltonreads's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.25

emmaline09's review

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

trisha_sutton's review against another edition

informative fast-paced

3.5

thtblklibrarian's review

4.25

I am a trans nonbinary adult and found a lot to relate to within these pages. It is a really good introduction to gender and sexuality and a really good graphic memoir. Kobabe talks about not wanting to be a girl or a boy, gender confusion and expression, understanding eir was asexual, using neo pronouns, trying to be brave for others (as represenatation or a mentor) while wanting to prtotect yourself from harm.

     As a teen librarian I was expecting a lot more graphic descriptions of sex and sexuality in this book based on the fact that its the most banned book ever and its only been out for 5 years! What I assume the conservatives hate about this one was open communicaiton about things that they have decieded are not to be questioned. Boys like girls, boys have PPs and girls have VV's or whatever. I bet the visual about tasting your own vaginal fluid threw them over the edge but we need more honest conversations about the way we grow into understanding ourselves from teens to adults and how we interact with our physical bodies. I am petty so I woulda reprinted without the HP references. the Incest shipping went over my head but thats never okay..

ricefun's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

4.5

I am so glad that I came across this novel at our local library. Glad that it is on the shelves for patrons to check out in Central Kansas. And very glad that I was exposed to the information and ideas inside the story. I have had my own journey trying to appreciate gender and sexuality in many different forms. I am still on that journey. And this book with Kobabe's personal experience is an extremely helpful guide along that route. 

cosmicbookworm's review against another edition

5.0

This is an important memoir. I understand that some parents will feel uncomfortable with the idea that their child might benefit from its contents. Nonetheless, it's crucial to recognize that there exists a demographic of individuals who do not align comfortably with conventional norms and stand to gain valuable insights from Maia's narrative. The parents who are uncomfortable with this book being available need to read this book. Maia does a beautiful job of describing eir path of self-discovery. Maia's story will help bridge the gap of understanding if people will only take the time to read eir book. It is a quick read in comic form and is well worth your time.

Recommended reading for: youth who struggle with their own identity, youth who have friends who need compassion and understanding, parents who have children who may be struggling, the rest of us who would be well served by being able to understand the world around us just a little better.

grace_holden1432's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0