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moshang's review
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
clairetbartlett's review
3.0
I'll reiterate what many have said: it's a good try, but too simplistic. Definitely written more for cis kids, not kids who are questioning their gender identity or trans.
I think we need to give kids credit for being more accepting of gray areas and differences; they might be curious about someone who looks or acts differently than they expect, but like the kid in the sandbox, they take things at face value (until influenced by someone older). And I say this because I think a child reading this book would understand that liking mud, ties, and bugs does not necessarily make you a boy, just like liking fairies, dresses, and dolls does not make you a girl (Just look at Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love). Ideally, a book about being transgender should include more than how interests define your gender.
I think we need to give kids credit for being more accepting of gray areas and differences; they might be curious about someone who looks or acts differently than they expect, but like the kid in the sandbox, they take things at face value (until influenced by someone older). And I say this because I think a child reading this book would understand that liking mud, ties, and bugs does not necessarily make you a boy, just like liking fairies, dresses, and dolls does not make you a girl (Just look at Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love). Ideally, a book about being transgender should include more than how interests define your gender.
pwbalto's review
4.0
I'm willing to accept a whooole batch of gender stereotypes here (boys like trucks, girls like fairies, ugh) for the one page where Jack says, "I AM a boy!" and Mama says "Well, Jackie's been trying to tell us that for a long time."
The earlier the concept of gender fluidity is introduced to kids, the less likely they are to be harmful to gender-nonconforming peers.
The earlier the concept of gender fluidity is introduced to kids, the less likely they are to be harmful to gender-nonconforming peers.
lauriehnatiuk's review
4.0
Would rate 3.5
Always on the look out for books that allow students to see themselves so was very excited for Jack (Not Jackie). This is the first book I have encountered that is trans masculine.
An older sibling who was so excited to be a big sister to her new sibling learns to accept along with her parents that Jack does not identify as female but male.
What I like about the book is the simple language to help younger students with gender identity. With that being said there are gender stereotypes such as Jack liking trucks and not wanting long hair. Bought for the library as stated before the first book I have come across that is trans masculine.
Always on the look out for books that allow students to see themselves so was very excited for Jack (Not Jackie). This is the first book I have encountered that is trans masculine.
An older sibling who was so excited to be a big sister to her new sibling learns to accept along with her parents that Jack does not identify as female but male.
What I like about the book is the simple language to help younger students with gender identity. With that being said there are gender stereotypes such as Jack liking trucks and not wanting long hair. Bought for the library as stated before the first book I have come across that is trans masculine.
heisereads's review
3.0
I really wanted to love this because we need more stories about trans kids to share with students. And parts of it I did, but as told through an older sister's cisgender viewpoint, and with such a stereotypical stance on clearly binary gender lines (trans child likes mud and bugs and doesn't like dresses, so she must actually be a boy), I fear it is also problematic. I love the mother's perspective and clear acceptance, however. It is not clear if the author was or lives with a trans child, and the author's note says her editor asked her to write a story on this topic, but it left me feeling excited about parts and disheartened by others.
theybedax's review against another edition
4.0
Parts are heartbreaking but it's great to watch the growth. This is an awesome read for kids who are friends or siblings of someone who is transgender.
emeelee's review
4.0
Story about a young transboy from the point of view of his big sister, who must learn that she has brother instead of sister. Really sweet story, that shows supportive parents and demonstrates that even young children know themselves better than anyone else. Jack's sister Susu doesn't understand why "Jackie" doesn't like the same things she does and why he's always doing "boy things" instead. But Susu soon learns that even though Jack isn't her sister, he's still her family.
There is misgendering involved, but it's addressed and corrected within the course of the book. The story does lean a little heavy on binary gender roles, (i.e. Susu is a girl because she likes "girly" stuff, and we know Jack's a boy because he likes "boyish" stuff), but it's understandable in a book for young kids meant to introduce them to the topic of being transgender. There's some info for parents at the back of the book about how to talk to kids on this topic.
Here's a review by a trans person.
There is misgendering involved, but it's addressed and corrected within the course of the book. The story does lean a little heavy on binary gender roles, (i.e. Susu is a girl because she likes "girly" stuff, and we know Jack's a boy because he likes "boyish" stuff), but it's understandable in a book for young kids meant to introduce them to the topic of being transgender. There's some info for parents at the back of the book about how to talk to kids on this topic.
Here's a review by a trans person.
moritahappy's review
5.0
Me pareció una forma HERMOSA de educar a niñes sobre la transición y encontrar la identidad de género, creo que puede ser muuy útil para familias donde hermanos y hermanas tienen que entender lo que está pasando de forma tranquila y natural.
queerpoetssociety_'s review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75