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j_gallo's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
kangrantdanmei's review against another edition
4.0
I'll give this book 4/5 stars! There's so much I love about it and just a few things that didn't quite click for me.
First, let me break down what I enjoyed the most.
Firstly, what really stood out to me is how this book dives deep into the experiences of trans-child – how they navigate it and what it feels like. Bonus points for having a glossary at the back, which is pretty cool!
Secondly, the sweet dynamic between Grayson and his sister, plus the solid parental support, is heartwarming. Their bonding sets a good example for readers who might already be parents.
Lastly, I love how Grayson poured his feelings into this book. He went all out, detailing everything, even sharing how he navigated through it all and how the judgments and activities that cornered him made him stressed. I feel like I really got to experience his journey.
Now, on to the not-so-great part (maybe it's just my perspective). I'd say this book might not be the best fit for middle-graders. Grayson acknowledges that not all transgender individuals have the privileges he does. It sheds light on the harsh reality that not everyone is supportive, especially for young kids trans. I'm concerned this might leave them questioning why they're different, leading to frustration or sadness. It could also impact kids who don't have a strong foundation yet. You know, some young people like to follow suit on a whim.
Okay, that is all!
First, let me break down what I enjoyed the most.
Firstly, what really stood out to me is how this book dives deep into the experiences of trans-child – how they navigate it and what it feels like. Bonus points for having a glossary at the back, which is pretty cool!
Secondly, the sweet dynamic between Grayson and his sister, plus the solid parental support, is heartwarming. Their bonding sets a good example for readers who might already be parents.
Lastly, I love how Grayson poured his feelings into this book. He went all out, detailing everything, even sharing how he navigated through it all and how the judgments and activities that cornered him made him stressed. I feel like I really got to experience his journey.
Now, on to the not-so-great part (maybe it's just my perspective). I'd say this book might not be the best fit for middle-graders. Grayson acknowledges that not all transgender individuals have the privileges he does. It sheds light on the harsh reality that not everyone is supportive, especially for young kids trans. I'm concerned this might leave them questioning why they're different, leading to frustration or sadness. It could also impact kids who don't have a strong foundation yet. You know, some young people like to follow suit on a whim.
Okay, that is all!
burkbooks's review
5.0
I am blown away that this is written by a 13 year old. Such a fantastic story teller. We see Graysons struggles from age 2 to 13 with coming out a trans. Though I do think Grayson had a very BEST CASE SCENARIO upbringing I do still think it’s important to see. I know this is not the norm for kids coming out as trans but it is pure joy to see parents doing the best they know how to do to help their children. I am thankful that Grayson shared his story with us and I look forward to getting more stories from him!
gylait's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Not a daughter, not a son, but a Dotson, Grayson encapsulates his gender journey in this charming memoir. Like other readers, I assumed Grayson was an adult writing about his childhood experiences but knowing this is coming from a 12 year old writer has helped me to feel even more encouraged by this book.
This book would be perfect for parents of trans kids and for trans kids as well, who are learning to feel validated in their trans-ness and are looking for community. Many of the thoughts Grayson was having about his existence and his identity are so common in trans kids that I think this could be a valuable piece of literature for this population. I also appreciated the acknowledgement of how lucky he was to have a family situation like he does, where everyone was ready to support him, and I also appreciated the reflections that he included later in life. Specifically, the reflection of his mom and how she had wished she had pushed harder for Grayson to use the boys bathroom.
My only point of contention was that so much of our community is focused on the physical aspects of trans-ness and the trans identity that I wished there was less of a “I’m a boy because I have short hair and wear boy clothes” and more of a “I’m a boy because I am a boy.” However, I do acknowledge the role that society plays in affirming gender because of how well someone “passes” so I can see where that may come from.
Overall, a thoughtful and encouraging story that many young trans readers could easily connect with.
This book would be perfect for parents of trans kids and for trans kids as well, who are learning to feel validated in their trans-ness and are looking for community. Many of the thoughts Grayson was having about his existence and his identity are so common in trans kids that I think this could be a valuable piece of literature for this population. I also appreciated the acknowledgement of how lucky he was to have a family situation like he does, where everyone was ready to support him, and I also appreciated the reflections that he included later in life. Specifically, the reflection of his mom and how she had wished she had pushed harder for Grayson to use the boys bathroom.
My only point of contention was that so much of our community is focused on the physical aspects of trans-ness and the trans identity that I wished there was less of a “I’m a boy because I have short hair and wear boy clothes” and more of a “I’m a boy because I am a boy.” However, I do acknowledge the role that society plays in affirming gender because of how well someone “passes” so I can see where that may come from.
Overall, a thoughtful and encouraging story that many young trans readers could easily connect with.
enbybooklove's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
3.25
Yikes, I really didn’t love this book. As a non-binary reader, I hate giving a less-than-stellar review on a book by a trans author, so I’m grappling with integrity here. I think the book could be renamed “A child transitions: The best case scenario”. The book is set within a family utopia where acceptance and encouragement are ubiquitous. Of course we need more trans joy, but perhaps a child’s perspective is just too simplistic to fully acknowledge how different a lot of readers’ experiences will (unfortunately!) be. But the book describes how every trans child deserves to be treated by their family members, so that’s a worthwhile reason to pick it up.
tyler_j's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
5.0
This is a wonderful memoir by a 12 or 13 year old trans boy, about his life from 2 years old knowing he's a boy.
It's full of hope and love and support, which is wonderful to see. And even though he's still so young he's already aware enough to know that having all that support is a privilege he has that a lot of trans people and trans kids don't have. It shouldn't have to be a privilege though, it should just be the normal.
Saying that he still had to face issues just for being trans like bathroom access and bullying and going to court and going to therapy and the doctors.
Some stuff hit me hard, like sentences: "Going through female puberty was the worst thing I could imagine happening." and
"Lupron is the hormone blocker medicine that would hit the pause button on puberty for me. I didn't like the idea that i'd be pausing puberty while Gabby and all my friends moved ahead, but the alternative was developing boobs and a more "girly" body.
Way worse than shots!"
I'm a 34 year old trans man and I went through female puberty 20+ years ago. I remember how it felt all wrong but I didn't even know trans guys were a thing, all I knew of trans people were people mocking trans women and saying it' a sin. I knew, and said as much, that I felt like a boy, but I didn't know it was a possibility and when I did, I still thought it was wrong, and eventually not so much wrong and there's already "too much" to me, being disabled, bisexual... I couldn't add yet more shit. I was already "too much" for people. This is why it took until my 30s for my trans egg to crack.
I remember how it felt like my body was betraying me. How I was so confused at girls envying my big chest as I desperately wanted to cut them off myself and was envious of their small chest, and even more envious of the guys flat chests. Why couldn't I be a guy? I felt like I was one but everyone, because of my body, said I couldn't be, so I tried my hardest to figure out how to "girl". I still have said chest... but I have top surgery scheduled in about 6 months! Wish me luck? :D
I've been on Testosterone 6 months as of today and I am loving the changes. I just legally changed my name a few months ago. I still have yet to legally change my gender. I am just now trying to undo the damage, what I can anyway, of the first, wrong for me, puberty.
So while this book may hurt me a bit, it's for a wonderful reason. And that reason gives me hope. Hope for trans kids now and in the future. And we need hope right now so badly.
I love this book and i'm glad it exists. We need to normalize this love and support. Not hate. Not fear mongering. It does show he still has struggles and of course we have a ways to go (just look *gestures at world*) but this is progress. That this book exists. I wish this kid a bright future.
And now i'm crying. Again.
It's full of hope and love and support, which is wonderful to see. And even though he's still so young he's already aware enough to know that having all that support is a privilege he has that a lot of trans people and trans kids don't have. It shouldn't have to be a privilege though, it should just be the normal.
Saying that he still had to face issues just for being trans like bathroom access and bullying and going to court and going to therapy and the doctors.
Some stuff hit me hard, like sentences: "Going through female puberty was the worst thing I could imagine happening." and
"Lupron is the hormone blocker medicine that would hit the pause button on puberty for me. I didn't like the idea that i'd be pausing puberty while Gabby and all my friends moved ahead, but the alternative was developing boobs and a more "girly" body.
Way worse than shots!"
I'm a 34 year old trans man and I went through female puberty 20+ years ago. I remember how it felt all wrong but I didn't even know trans guys were a thing, all I knew of trans people were people mocking trans women and saying it' a sin. I knew, and said as much, that I felt like a boy, but I didn't know it was a possibility and when I did, I still thought it was wrong, and eventually not so much wrong and there's already "too much" to me, being disabled, bisexual... I couldn't add yet more shit. I was already "too much" for people. This is why it took until my 30s for my trans egg to crack.
I remember how it felt like my body was betraying me. How I was so confused at girls envying my big chest as I desperately wanted to cut them off myself and was envious of their small chest, and even more envious of the guys flat chests. Why couldn't I be a guy? I felt like I was one but everyone, because of my body, said I couldn't be, so I tried my hardest to figure out how to "girl". I still have said chest... but I have top surgery scheduled in about 6 months! Wish me luck? :D
I've been on Testosterone 6 months as of today and I am loving the changes. I just legally changed my name a few months ago. I still have yet to legally change my gender. I am just now trying to undo the damage, what I can anyway, of the first, wrong for me, puberty.
So while this book may hurt me a bit, it's for a wonderful reason. And that reason gives me hope. Hope for trans kids now and in the future. And we need hope right now so badly.
I love this book and i'm glad it exists. We need to normalize this love and support. Not hate. Not fear mongering. It does show he still has struggles and of course we have a ways to go (just look *gestures at world*) but this is progress. That this book exists. I wish this kid a bright future.
And now i'm crying. Again.