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The story of a transgender child based on the real-life experience of Jazz Jennings, who has become a spokesperson for transkids everywhere"This is an essential tool for parents and teachers to share with children whether those kids identify as trans or not. I wish I had had a book like this when I was a kid struggling with gender identity questions. I found it deeply moving in its simplicity and honesty."—Laverne Cox (who plays Sophia in “Orange Is the New Black”)From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl's brain in a boy's body. She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn't feel like herself in boys' clothing. This confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who said that Jazz was transgender and that she was born that way. Jazz's story is based on her real-life experience and she tells it in a simple, clear way that will be appreciated by picture book readers, their parents, and teachers.
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Dial Books; 1 edition (September 4, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0803741073
ISBN-13: 978-0803741072
Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 0.4 x 9.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (151 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #15,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #2 in Books > Children's Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Friendship, Social Skills & School Life > Tolerance #5 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Specific Groups > LGBT > Transgender #152 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies
Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 3
As a Women and Gender Studies professor, I am constantly on the lookout for books challenging normative sex and gender roles. While I Am Jazz is an important book for introducing children to the concept of transgender, I was disappointed to see that "girlness" was equated to princesses, pink, and mermaids in this text. While stereotypical gendered behavior is often a key factor in parents and health care providers realization of a child's transgender identity, it is limiting to both our trans* and cisgendered (non-transgendered) children to set up such binary categories of male and female behavior. I would have liked to see more of Jazz the soccer star, Jazz doing a science project, Jazz doing art, and the emphasis on what made her transgender placed upon her sense of self, not her love of dresses and mermaids. Still, many thanks to young Jazz for bravely sharing her story with other children.
I Am JazzAs a retired senior citizen who has suffered lifelong gender dysphoria, I credit my doctor and therapist, Jazz and her NEW book with helping me to understand the physical and psychological pain that has tormented me since very early childhood. This pain has been a regular visitor in my life because I was born with hormonal and brain differences whose effects on gender identity become more and more powerful with time--regardless of what I do.Recently, my physician and therapist have helped me understand that I am a person having a transsexual experience I never chose to have. I pray that those of you who reject such medical explanations for why a boy would want to be a girl--especially parents of transgender children--will love your kids unconditionally. Don't punish them, or throw them out of the house--they have a medical condition that, without your love, and the support of schools and society, can lead to anxiety, depression, and death by suicide.All kids need to be known, accepted and loved--no matter what. This is more true for kids who are transgender than for almost any other group. Thanks to you and your family, Jazz, your book is helping all of us understand a little bit better now! Thank you for a story that has helped me make sense of that time when I was your age, and no one knew how to help me deal with my neuro-endocrine difference! Sincerely,Morgan
As transgender narratives go, it's alright. However, I got this hoping to help explain being transgender to my nephew, and I found it very politically correct and preachy, and very out of touch with my own transgender narrative. It was basically sounding like some LGBT advocate wrote it for her, to make it fit in line with a certain perspective. But not all transgender people identify with the "born in the wrong body" narrative.
As a straight mom of three, I can honestly say that this book brought tears of joy to my eyes as I read it. It is a beautiful affirmation of the essential humanity in all of us, and it is a clear and age-appropriate way to introduce kids to the diversity around us. For those of you who are concerned that children might not understand or be confused by the concept, rest assured. Using my kids as a focus group showed me that they not only "get it," but they are much more open to these concepts than many adults.
We had the pleasure of hearing the author read this book at a reading and we fell in love with the book and Jazz instantly. Both my daughters learned a lot about transgender issues and loving who you are no matter what...would recommend to anyone who wants to teach their kids the importance of good values and loving everyone even if they are different from you
This is a great book for explaining transgender children to transgender children. It is about a biological boy, who at the age is two, realized he felt like a girl. As a mother of a child exactly matching this description, this book is perfect for sharing with his (now her) classmates and other young folks about why my kid says "I'm a girl". I do wish it wasn't about such a stereotypical girl that loves pink and mermaids - but my kid does love pink and ladybugs so I guess it's not all wrong. And I bought two copies for my kid's school so that should tell you something! I think it's probably good for about ages 4-8 but my three-year old still enjoys it even if she doesn't fully get it.
Great book to help your youngins learn about being "different". I love the show I Am Jazz and bought the book for my 7 year old little boy right away. We want to teach him young to love and be accepting of everyone. We want him to not see "different" but normal!
This book does nothing but perpetuate sexist stereotypes and tell children that their favorite color, interests, clothing choices and aptitudes determine their "gender identity." Gender identity is socially constructed, patriarchal, damaging bullshit, and it's plain wrong to indoctrinate children into the magical thinking that boys can become girls and girls can become boys. They can't. There is no "girl brain". "Girl brain" is a misogynistic notion that's been used to keep women subjugated for millenia. It is not a progressive, liberal idea. It's regressive and sexist. What does it mean to "think like a girl" or "feel like a woman"? Try to describe what that actually means without resorting to stereotype. It's impossible.Other than what's imposed on us by societal expectations, we do not have "gender." We each have a biological sex, and a personality. The belief that one determines the other is called sexism, nothing more or less than that.
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