Herthel, Jessica. I Am Jazz, PICTURE BOOK. Dial Books for Young
Readers, 2014. $17.99. Content: G.
Based on a real person, Jazz Jennings, the reader learns about a child growing up feeling like a little girl, but having a boy’s body. We learn about Jazz’s interests, family, and friends, and how it has felt being a transgender child dealing with other people’s reactions and expectations.
I thought this book was very well done. It is straightforward, honest, at a level children will understand, and presents the subject of transgendered people in a classy way. My only real complaint about the book is that it seems to suggest that when a child enjoys pink things, mermaids, and princesses that they are more like a girl. I’m a firm believer that those items are not specifically related to girls only (and vice versa when it comes to trucks, tools, and superheroes). That being said, I think most children will have some questions while reading this book. These questions might make a librarian feel uncomfortable and would definitely be best addressed by parents. There are no issues with language or content, but I know that many parents in most Utah communities would want to read this with their child so that they could be there to clarify any questions. My suggestion is for school librarians to leave this to the public library setting, but please still consider the community you are serving. If this book fits the needs of one or more of your students and you feel that your school could benefit from a book that addresses the topic, please select this title because it is informative, nonthreatening, and intelligently written.
EL- PUBLIC ONLY. Reviewed by: Shay, School Librarian
Based on a real person, Jazz Jennings, the reader learns about a child growing up feeling like a little girl, but having a boy’s body. We learn about Jazz’s interests, family, and friends, and how it has felt being a transgender child dealing with other people’s reactions and expectations.
I thought this book was very well done. It is straightforward, honest, at a level children will understand, and presents the subject of transgendered people in a classy way. My only real complaint about the book is that it seems to suggest that when a child enjoys pink things, mermaids, and princesses that they are more like a girl. I’m a firm believer that those items are not specifically related to girls only (and vice versa when it comes to trucks, tools, and superheroes). That being said, I think most children will have some questions while reading this book. These questions might make a librarian feel uncomfortable and would definitely be best addressed by parents. There are no issues with language or content, but I know that many parents in most Utah communities would want to read this with their child so that they could be there to clarify any questions. My suggestion is for school librarians to leave this to the public library setting, but please still consider the community you are serving. If this book fits the needs of one or more of your students and you feel that your school could benefit from a book that addresses the topic, please select this title because it is informative, nonthreatening, and intelligently written.
EL- PUBLIC ONLY. Reviewed by: Shay, School Librarian
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