A review by livlosiewicz
Found in Transition: A Mother's Evolution During Her Child's Gender Change by Paria Hassouri

emotional informative reflective fast-paced

4.5

Pros: 
·This story is moving and engaging, and I found myself eager to return to it and learn more about Ava and Paria and their family 
·I really appreciated Paria’s honesty and vulnerability in sharing some of her uglier thoughts, feelings, and reactions. I think this was a brave choice and helpful for my own reflection about how I would respond to a child or loved one who came out to me. I think this book better prepared me to be equipped to be a better ally to my future child or loved one, should they be trans. This vulnerability allows for reflection so much more than a perfect response would have 
·I also learned more details about what transition entails, and the financial and emotional costs 
 
Cons: 
·I think these were part of the honesty and vulnerability, but there were a few parts of Ava’s past included that made me raise my eyebrows and wonder if Ava will always be comfortable with those there: her birth name and old pronouns included in direct quotations or thoughts (I really think this was intended to serve pro #2, but the impact is still there), the photos that Ava requested be removed from the family wall. I wonder how Ava feels about that (based on the author’s instagram, it seems like she’s fine and supports it), and how other trans people feel reading it. 
·I occasionally felt like Paria’s moping/sadness/grieving was repetitive, and though that might be how it felt, didn’t add anything to the story 
 
Recommendation: I really enjoyed and learned from this memoir and recommend to those curious about the parent perspective during a child’s transition or to those who enjoy raw and honest memoirs. Some caveats: if you’re looking for a trans story, also consider reading a trans author; be prepared for some deadnaming and misgendering- all done only in the context of the past- it worked fine for me, but I am cis and understand how it might be triggering or upsetting for others! 
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