I Am Jazz

by Jessica Herthel, Jazz Jennings, Shelagh McNicholas (Illustrator)

Jazz always knew she was different from other kids. She had a girl's brain and a boy's body. This is her story.

The story of a transgender child based on the real-life experience of Jazz Jennings, who has become a spokesperson for transkids everywhere.

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.

Jazz Jennings was thirteen years old when this book was first published, and loves pink and soccer, and is an honorary cofounder of the TransKids Purple Rainbow Foundation. She has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Network, 20/20 specials with Barbara Walters, and The Rosie Show to tell her story, and she speaks at schools and conferences across the country to show other transgender kids that they are not alone.

Age Rating: Preschool - 3+ / 5-11+
Edition MSRP: US $17⁹⁹ / $19⁹⁹ CAN (ISBN 978-0-8037-4107-2)
Manufactured in China on acid-free paper

Genres: Picture Books, LGBT, Banned Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Biography, Gender

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2014

About the author

Jessica Herthel is a private consultant for LGBTQ-inclusive school districts and the current president of her local PFLAG chapter. Previously, Jessica was the Education Director of the Stonewall National Museum and Archives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; the primary editor of an LGBTQ handbook for school administrators; and a curriculum advisor for Broward County Public Schools. Jessica is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads]

Okay, so I found this one for a "banned book" challenge and I'll admit, I've been really curious about it ever since.

And my overwhelming impression - mixed feelings. Very, very mixy-feelings on it.

And I honestly debated whether I should review it at all...but what is the point of GR if it isn't to bring about discussion on difficult topics?

This book is about real-life trans activist Jazz Jennings, who knew from a young age that her identity was wrong.

Jazz always knew she was different from other kids. She had a girl's brain and a boy's body.

And she would try to communicate this with her parents and friends and teachers...but no one would listen.

When I was very little, and my mom would say, "You're such a good boy."

I would say, "No, Mama. Good GIRL!"

But finally, a kindly doctor explains the concept of being transgender and immediately her parents accept her, though it was a bit of a struggle to get her school and people outside to understand.

But, after time, the world grew to accept her and love her for who she is.

I don’t mind being different. Different is special! I think what matters most is what a person is like inside. And inside, I am happy. I am having fun. I am proud!

I am Jazz!

Before I begin the review in earnest, I really feel like I have to say that this is something I'm working on educating myself on.

I will not pretend to know all the ins and outs of the transgender community - I've read a few books from the transgender perspective, have quite a few lined up to read but I would not consider myself an expert.

So, if I seem uneducated on this subject, then it is likely because I am...

Disclaimer aside, all in all, I think this was a good book.

It does bring to light some much-needed emphasis on the younger transgender community and it does so in a light-hearted and kindly way.

Jazz, as a character, was a sweet young girl. She was misunderstood but never gave up on communicating who she truly was.

The end message of the book really was a fabulous one (accepting who you are for what you are) and I liked it for the most part.

But, there were a few things that didn't work...or at least confused me to the point where I was wondering why it happened in the book.

First of all... Jazz is portrayed as a young, pale, white girl but her actual skin tone is significantly darker. It seemed weird to me - am I the only one?

I realize that this is a relatively minor aspect of her book....but if this is her life story, why are we changing her at all?

Second of all... is the way the book explains the transgender concept to kids.

I am okay with most of the book - it does not preach nor condemn anyone.

It uses simple language to explain a complex concept, and that is where it missed the mark (a bit) for me.

As I got a little older, I hardly ever played with trucks or tools or superheroes. Only princesses and mermaid costumes.

There's a few more instances where Jazz explains that she always knew she was a girl... because she liked girly things (like playing dress up or having long hair) and she felt more comfortable with girl friends than with boys.

There was no middle ground.

I know I'm making a huge generalization...but her book ALSO makes that huge generalization. That the core identity feature of girls is girly things, and boys have boy-ish things.

And when you're a kid, especially when you're young, you tend to see life as black-or-white, good-or-evil, and this book almost seems like it set up a 'cis vs trans gender' dynamic.

There wasn't a "Suzie likes boy things but she's a tomboy" or "Paul likes girly things because he loves sparkles" it seemed more of a, "Jazz liked (insert-opposite-sterotype-things-here) so she was transgender."

I can see why the book does that - transgenderism is hard to break down, and the age range for the book is 5 to 8.

And to a 5-to-8-year-old, the defining girl characteristics are princesses and ponies.

...but I really feel like there should have been a middle-ground moment, one where liking the opposite-stereotype-things didn't lead solely to a transgender response.

And the final thing that bugged me... was that the doctor told the parents that Jazz (which from the book looked about kindergarten) should immediately be treated fully as a girl because she was transgender.

If you are preteen to adult, you have a full concept of gender identity and the societal implications/consequences that that transition entails.

It is fully your life and whatever you need to do to make yourself happy, to allow yourself to live the fullest life possible - I think that it should be "allowed" in society, and it is absolutely nobody's business what you do with your body.

At the age Jazz is in the book, she cannot make any sort of life-changing decision without it being what her parents want (and I'm just talking about medical/legal things here - if her parents were anti-vaxx, she couldn't get shots until the age of consent (~14ish?)).

And, (and I fully admit that this could be my lack-of-education showing), but I lean towards the wait-and-see rather than diagnose-and-switch (and the book shows that there's only the latter option).

For Jazz, the diagnose-and-switch ended up working out wonderfully but that's what worked for her.

For other kids, they could be questioning at that age and not even fully sure of what they are asking.

Especially considering, children start forming their gender identity at five to eight (according to Google), so the target age group of this book can't fully cognitively grasp the concept yet.

To me, it would have made more sense to let kids know that if they aren't sure, that they don't have to commit.

Because being transgender can be horrible, and scary, and there's no way it doesn't absolutely change the direction of your life...and I think that's a lot to put on a five-year-old's shoulders.

So why not have the book both introduce the concept of changing genders but also include the caveat that this decision doesn't even have to be made yet?

Overall...

If the book could have included the middle ground in terms of liking-the-opposite-gender-stereotype-things then I think I would have had less mixed feelings.

And, while the book did deal with some things that Jazz dealt with growing up (name calling, etc), it definitely glossed over that and did not cover the full extent of the bullying she experienced.

And I think the book is doing them a disservice by not including those aspects in the book.

But, (and this is really important), this was a groundbreaking book and I'm happy that it is out there, it just missed its mark for me a little bit.

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[Tosei · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, issues.

I think it's great that they made this book. Truly. I just have a few issues with it.

1. Jazz is not white. So don't make her white. Why the fuck is she white in this book?!

2. Please don't use terms like "boy body" and "girl clothes." Please. Don't enforce the binary and gender stereotypes on small children.

Okay, those are my main problems with this book.

Firstly, making a non-white person white in this book invalidates her story to an extent. Jazz is an activist who has greatly increased trans awareness to the general public -- it is very important to note that she is not only trans girl, but also a person of color. Forgetting this aspect of her story (and going out of the way to change it) is, in my opinion, a disservice to both Jazz and the rest of society.

Second -- referring to certain clothes as "boy clothes" and certain bodies as "girl bodies" or whatever may simplify things and make it easy to understand for mainstream audiences (as well as children) but this terminology enforces gender norms and stereotypes, as well as the binary. Jazz's body is a "girl body" -- solely because she is a girl. To say that a body is inherently a boys body only because it has a penis is both wrong and restricting. Sure, Jazz may be uncomfortable with her body, sure, it may be a body that many boys are more satisfied with -- but that does not mean penis=boy. There are plenty of girls out there who are completely fine with having a penis, and plenty of boys out there who are fine with having a vulva. And there are people who fit into neither gender, or neither body, and are completely happy or may be dissatisfied with what they have. Either way, there is no "boy body" or "girl body."

The same goes for clothes. "Girl clothes" and "boy clothes" are merely stereotypes and enforced gender norms, all of which are societally constructed. Rather than saying "I had to wear boy clothes," it would be much more accurate to say "I had to wear culturally masculine clothes" or "I had to wear clothes that are more commonly worn by boys in our culture" or something of the sort rather than to classify them as "boy clothes." What? Children can't understand such a long explanation? Please, don't underestimate the intelligence of children. And even if they don't understand the wording, at least they have some sort of idea of Jazz's experience, and they won't have strict gender norms defined and quite possibly written in stone for them from a young age.
(EDIT: Upon rereading this review, I have realized that this statement is ableist. I instead would like to emphasize the importance of at least clarifying that, although Jazz may have identified certain clothes and bodies as "boy's" or "girl's," we in general should not ascribe genders to bodies and clothes in such a way. Without this clarification, it is easy for unknowing readers to adopt this language when speaking to and about other trans people -- language that can be quite offensive. Whether it be a footnote for parents to read (and perhaps explain to their children later) or something that is made explicitly clear in the main text, I would have liked something to educate (assumedly mainstream cis) readers about terminology that is typically considered offensive within trans communities.)

Lastly, it seems that this book was written and illustrated by two white cisgender women. Okay, fine, white authors, alright, but having cisgender people write the story of a transgender child? I would much prefer someone who understands Jazz's experience more to have written the book.
(I believe that having trans authors/people involved in the trans community would have helped produce a more accurate depiction (this includes use of language) of Jazz as a transgender person.)

So, I think it's great that a book like this exists. But I really just wish these kinds of books would be more accurate and inclusive of everyone.

Note: I have not done much research on the making of the book as well as on the authors, so if any of the problems I listed above have valid reasoning backing them, please let me know.

[Jeremy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jazz is an actual person ("assigned" male at birth in 2000) who has been on Oprah and 20/20, and although the reality TV show about Jazz includes comments about wanting to become the most authentic person possible, as of Summer 2017, Jazz had not undergone sex change surgery to try to become more like a girl (and admits to liking more girls than before). In April 2018, Jazz indicated that he would attempt a transition ("gender confirmation") surgery in June 2018. Here is a post-surgery follow-up with ABC, published in October 2018.

One consistency problem with the transgender issue is its inherent essentialism. Jazz describes the situation as having a girl brain trapped inside a boy body. But what's a "girl brain"? I don't have a problem talking about essential differences between men and women, but lots of progressives do, so this is a legitimate question for people who don't like to talk about gender essentials, yet want to champion the transgender cause. The sexually confused community tends to cannibalize each other, as seen poignantly when Bruce Jenner claimed to have a female brain and the attendant desire for makeup: Elinor Burkett wrote in the New York Times, "[A]s much as I recognize and endorse the right of men to throw off the mantle of maleness, they cannot stake their claim to dignity as transgender people by trampling on mine as a woman." In other words, Jenner has no right to determine what makes a woman a woman. In 2015, Jenner was highlighted as one of the "Women of the Year" by one group, making many feminists furious. I am not the first to point out the irony of such an award, which unintentionally implies that men are better than women at everything, including being a woman. This infighting among people (whom one might assume would be on the same side) is similar to the controversy at a diversity conference when minority groups fought with each other about who was the most oppressed, practically making victimhood an Olympic sport. (Cf. the plot of No Good Deed.)

More on I Am Jazz here, regarding the anti-bullying bait and switch (we're against bullying and totalitarian tactics . . . unless we disagree with you—then, watch out).

Another problem with this transgender issue is related to the issue of homosexuality and personal desires. The book contains language of being "born this way," as if that in and of itself is a sufficient defense for someone's actions. According to the book, if a characteristic is "something children can't control," then "society needs to embrace them." See my review of And Tango Makes Three for more on the flawed argument that "it must be okay if it occurs in nature."

One thing in this book is certainly true. The parents are confused.

Here is a related thought experiment. See an endocrinologist's evaluation here.

In the most recent update (March 2023), Jazz still feels very unsatisfied. Here's the first line from the article: "After eight seasons, four 'sex change' surgeries, and countless hormone treatments, TLC's I Am Jazz star Jazz Jennings still doesn't feel right. 'I don’t feel like me, ever,' Jennings revealed in a recent episode."

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: this book is listed as one of the most popular books to be banned, over the past decade, from both schools and private libraries. Support freedom of expression by reading and buying banned books! ❤️📚

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am Jazz is a story about a girl who says "she has a girl's brain and a boy's body." It's a true story, and pretty inspiring. It's for kids to help understand the issue, and more importantly, to understand and accept kids like this in their classes. I fully recognize it is not safe for such kids in almost all of the world, but in my neighborhood, and in my world and family, this story is a pretty familiar one and one they have learned is just part of life.

Chicago is a big blue city where transgender politics are alive and well. And in my near suburb of Oak Park our local western suburban newspaper has featured articles by a straight friend, Deb McQuantock McCarey, on various GLBT issues, one of which is

http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/...

about a girl who we knew as a boy when she was in kindergarten, and now is accepted as a girl. A great story of trans tolerance in this community. Not always easy, but a victory for tolerance. Acceptance. And becoming who you are.

I am Jazz is not a great piece of art or narrative, in my opinion. It is a little too plain and straightforward for my tastes. I wanted it to be jazzier! But it is also very important for kids to read, I think. My son H, 11, read it, and loved it, and said, "this is just like x, so cool!" H, 10, says, finishing it now, "Oh, yeah, that is REALLY good! Wow!" and they are talking about it AS I WRITE THIS, the three of them! They like a lot of the stuff Jazz likes, and think she could be their friend.

L is reading it now, and zips through it, talking about it with her brothers as she reads. They all liked the mermaid tail Jazz likes to wear in the pool! I ask them each individually how they would rate the book and H and H and L (experienced Goodreads raters!) each independently rate it 4.5, they each say! (So maybe a rating should reflect an important story's worth more than artistic brilliance or originality in storytelling techniques, which is my basis for rating it a little lower? They are the book's primary audience, anyway, not stuffy old critic me!).

At 9 years old I did not live in a time or neighborhood or family that could have faced this story, this girl, with any tolerance, let alone acceptance. But times are changing, and I am glad this story exists as one of the building blocks of an edifice of acceptance and celebration.

Read Dov's thoughtful review about it, too!

[Rachel L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Banned Books week 2018!

4 stars!

I really enjoyed this picture book and think it's an important one for parents to read to their children. Transgender subject aside, it's a book about accepting and loving people for who they are, something I think many children need to be taught.

There's some terminology that's a bit awkward, and I don't get why they made Jazz white in the book when she is not in real life, but overall I think it's a great step forward in children's literature.


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[Marwa · Rating 1 out of 5]

يُعرَض هذا الكتاب في قسم الكتب الخاصة بالأطفال، رغم أن موضوعه وهو التحوّل الجنسي يتصدر المناقشات المحتدمة بين "الكبار" في الغرب، ولكنها عادة آلة البروباجندا أن تصل بالموضوعات التي تعمل على الترويج لها إلى المجتمع كله بما فيه الأطفال الصغار، فلا يُفلت من قبضتها أحد. وبهذا يتم "تلقين" الجميع ما هو صواب وما هو خطأ، وهذا ليس رأيي بل رأي عائلات وآباء كثر يحاولون التصدي لعملية التلقين المحمومة التي تُفرَض على أبنائهم في المدارس والإعلام ومواقع التواصل الاجتماعي

من هو/هي چاز؟
جاز هي فتاة كما تبدو، يحكي الكتاب قصتها "المميزة"، فهي متحولة جنسياً (يُستخدم الآن مصطلح أخف وطأة هو عابرة جنسياً) أي أنها وُلِدت ذكراً ولكنها "عرفت" منذ الصغر أنها فتاة ولدت حبيسة في جسد ذكر. يفسر جاز لم اعتقد أنه فتاة بالتالي:
- لونه المفضل هو البينك والفضي ثم الأخضر (!!)
ـ عندما كانت أمه تُثني عليه بقولها: ولد طيب، كان يصحح لها: لا يا أمي، بل فتاة طيبة
ـ كان لا يلعب بألعاب الذكور مثل العربات والأبطال الخارقين
ـ كان يتحدث لأخته الكبرى عن حلمه بأن يكبر ليكون فتاة جميلة

يقول جاز كان هذا يجعل عائلته في حيرة، حتى زاروا طبيبة شخصت حالة جاز على أنه: "متحوِّل"، هنا تغير كل شيء، تفهم الوالدان مشكلة ابنهم، سمحوا له بإطالة شعره، اختاروا له اسم جاز، وعاملوه على أنه فتاة، وأخطروا مدرسته بهذا التغيير.
كم كان يبلغ عمر الطفل في ذلك الحين؟ فقط خمس سنوات!!

ينتهي الكتاب بقول جاز أنه يعلم أنه "مختلف" وأن هذا يجعله "مميزاً"، وهو فخور بهذا. جدير بالذكر أن جاز شخصية حقيقية، أي أن الكتاب يعد سيرة ذاتية.

طلب آباء كثيرون من دكتور مايكل لايدلو وهو دكتور الغدد الصماء أن يكتب مراجعة علمية للكتاب، ليعرفوا إن كان الكتاب صحيحاً من الناحية العلمية، فكتب الدكتور مقالا تفصيليا قسمه إلى جزئين، ناقش في الجزء الأول المغالطات التي جاءت في الكتاب، وفي الجزء الآخر ناقش ما تغافل الكتاب عن ذكره، لأن الكتاب على حد قوله:

"The book I Am Jazz contains a number of factual inaccuracies and very significant omissions."

كانت أولى المغالطات أن الطبيبة شخصت حالة جاز على أنه متحول جنسيا، فالتشخيص الصحيح هو "اضطراب الهوية الجنسية"، وهذا التشخيص لا يعني أن الشخص "متحول" ، لأن كثير من هذه الاضطرابات تزول مع مرور الزمن، ولا يمكن أبداً التنبؤ بأن من يعاني من هذه الاضطرابات سيكون متحولا، لأن 90% من أصحاب هذه الاضطرابات تختفي مشاكلهم مع الوقت

ثاني المغالطات أن جاز قال أن له مخ أنثى في جسد ذكر، في حين أن كل خلية في مخ جاز هي خلية دُمغت بمحتواها الجيني من الكروموسومات، وبما أنه ولد ذكراً، فكل خليه في مخه بها كروموسومات الذكورة - Y chromosomes

يرى دكتور مايكل أن القائمين على الكتاب أوردوا هذه المغالطات لحمل الآباء على الاعتقاد أن أطفالهم وُلدوا كذلك أي وُلدوا متحولين، وهذا يستتبع تقبُّل أطفالهم لو ظهرت عليهم هذه الأعراض والإسراع في مجاراتهم في التحول إلى الجنس المقابل


أما المسكوت عنه في الكتاب هو أن جاز ليس سعيدا كما قال كتابه، جاز وعدد كبير من المتحولين يعانون من الاكتئاب، كما ترتفع نسبة محاولات الانتحار بين المتحولين إلى ثمانية أضعاف حتى بعد التحول الهرموني والجراحي (وفقا لتقرير حكومي في السويد).
أما عن كون جاز مختلف، فهو قطعاً كذلك لأنه مختلف حتى عن كثير من المتحولين أنفسهم، لقد تعاطى "علاجاً هرمونيا" يُثبّط البلوغ - puberty blockers، فلا تنمو أعضاؤه بشكل طبيعي مثل أقرانه، وذلك منذ كان في الحادية عشر من عمره، وبعد ذلك بدأ في تعاطي هرمونات الأنوثة، والآن وهو على مشارف الثامنة عشر يسعى لعملية تغيير الجنس، وهي عملية شاقة ومكلفة، والأدهى من ذلك أن جاز قد يكون فقد قدرته على الإنجاب إلى الأبد، كل هذه المعلومات المنقوصة لم يرد ذكرها في الكتاب الذي تعمد أن يرسم صورة مشرقة للمتحولين

وللأسف لن تجد من يستضيف دكتور مايكل في البرامج ويُفرد الحديث حول أضرار التحول الهرموني والجراحي وأثر ذلك على صحة الأطفال الجنسية والنفسية فيما بعد، فمن يقف وراء الإعلام يرى أن من مصلحته الترويج لحقوق المتحولين، وطمس الحقيقة العلمية، بل إن باحثة من جامعة براون العريقة بأمريكا عندما نُشر لها مقالا علميا في أغسطس الماضي حول تصاعد ظاهرة المتحولين بين الأطفال والمراهقين واعتبارها عدوى اجتماعية بسبب تأثير الإعلام ومواقع التواصل الاجتماعي؛ قامت الدنيا ولم تقعد ونُعتت الباحثة بأقذع الأوصاف، ووُصمت بالعنصرية وأذعنت الجامعة لضغط لوبي المتحولين وأزالت المقال العلمي من على صفحتها، رغم عدم "علمية" أي من هذه الإدعاءات

أما جاز فيُفرد له برنامج خاص من برامج الواقع يحكي فيه عن مشكلات المواعدة، وعن احتفالية عيد ميلاده، وعن تطلعاته للتحول الجراحي، بل إن زياراته للأطباء ومخاوفه ومفاضلاته بين حلول كل طبيب وآخر تُذاع كاملة رغم كونها أمر شديد الخصوصية، كما اختارته مجلة التايمز ضمن أكثر المراهقين تأثيراً لعام 2014، كل هذا مقصود لتُسلط الأضواء عليه وعلى كل ما يمثله


الغريب حقاً هو التفاعل الإيجابي لبعض الآباء والأمهات مع البرنامج، وكيف أنهم بدأوا يتقبلون هذا الأمر حتى وإن خصّ أطفالهم، فهم يريدون أن يكونوا آباء وأمهات مناصرين لأطفالهم ومتقبلين لهم تماماً كالصورة التي يروجها الإعلام عن عائلة جاز المساندة له، وهذا هو الصواب السياسي في أكثر صوره غرابة!

ولا تدرِ لم يتجاهل هؤلاء الآباء تحذيرات الأطباء التي تطفو على السطح من حين لآخر، في 2013 نشرت طبيبة الأنثروبولوجي سحر سجادي مقالا علميا يحذر من تجاهل تأثير الهرمونات التي يتعاطاها المتحولون في سن صغيرة على خصوبتهم، وأن ما ي��دث هو بمثابة عملية "تعقيم" للأطفال والمراهقين، ولكن يبدو أن آلة الإعلام قادرة على التشويش على كل هذا، وإقناع الضحية أن تذهب بكامل إرادتها إلى جلاديها.

أما القناة التي تبث مواسم حلقات "أنا جاز" فلا زالت تنتج مواسمه التي وصلت الآن لخمسة مواسم، كان ذروتها الموسم الحالي (فبراير ٢٠١٩) الذي أقدم فيه جاز بعد تخطيه عامه الثامن عشر على القيام بعملية تحويل الجنس، ولكن بما أنه كان متعاطياً للهرمونات منذ سن صغيرة جداً كانت عمليته في غاية التعقيد، كما لم تنجح بالشكل المطلوب، ونُقِل جاز للمستشفى لإجراء عملية عاجلة من جراء الألم الذي أصابه.

رغم كل هذا يقول جاز: "أنا سعيدة أن هذه المشكلة النادرة قد حدثت لي عوضاً عن أي متحول آخر. إن تخطي هذا التحدي سيكون سهلاً بوجود أسرة مساندة ومحبة كأسرتي"

وبعد مرور سنوات على انتهاء هذا البرنامج وانحسار الأضواء حوله؛ أصبح جاز مصاباً بالاكتئاب، وأصيب بالبدانة المفرطة نتيجة للأكل المرضي، ولازال يعاني من تعقيدات العمليات التي قام بها. لقد دُمّر مستقبل الفتى بعد أن حُرم من النمو الطبيعي، وتم تعقيمه، ثم اسُخدم كأيقونة لنجاح التحول، والآن يعاني وحيداً تبعات كل هذا وهو لم يزل في العشرينات من العمر.

المتهم الأول في هذه الجريمة هما الأم والأب. كيف قلقا على على طفلهما لدرجة اصطحابه للطبيب لمجرد حبه للون الوردي؟! نلاحظ أن لجاز أختاً أكبر منه، وكأي أخ له أخت تكبره أو في نفس سنه، سيلاحظ ألعابها ومتعلقاتها الأنثوية مثل أطواق الشعر وأدوات المكياج، وسيرغب في التجريب. هنا يأتي دور الأم والأب للتأكيد على وجود فرق بين الولاد والبنات، وتغذية هذا الاتجاه، حتى تختفي تماما هذه الرغبات مع الوقت. أما والدا جاز فقد اختارا مجاراة التريند، بل وصناعة التريند نفسه حين قررا أن يزجا بابنهما في هذا الأمر وهو في هذه السن الصغيرة.

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

My only problem with the book is one of the early pages where Jazz is talking about how she has always felt different- she didn't like firetrucks and superheroes and fire trucks or whatever, but preferred ballerinas and princesses. If they had just left out that page, I would have given the book another star. As it is, a book about acceptance of different gender identities accidentally reinforces gender stereotypes. The way the book is written, Jazz's preference for dance over superheroes is given as a bit of evidence, or proof, that she's transgender. Girls like superheroes and that doesn't make them trans. Boys can like princesses or ballet, and that doesn't make them trans, either. I think that including that tiny anecdote was a mistake, but other than that, the book was pretty good. The illustrations are sweet and the topic is one that, in all honestly, needs to be addressed. There are trans kids in the world, and they deserve to have picture books, too!

[Dov Zeller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really glad this book exists and I hope it opens the door for more kids books with trans characters. What's great about it is that it's clearly one girl's story, so it's not universalizing her experience. She's just saying what it's like for her, which gives kids who are reading it a chance to think, "what about me? Is this my story too?" and to identify with some things and not with others.

Some reviewers criticized her explanation "I have a girl brain and a boy body." I understand that it does not address the complexity of gender and how we approach and categorize ourselves and each other. But it works for Jazz, and this is her story. I am a trans guy and I hate saying I'm "female bodied" because in my brain I'm male, so no matter what my body looks like, to me it's a male body. Period. But this book isn't about me. And sometimes concessions must be made in order to communicate, in this less than perfect language that we have, about transness. I could go on for hours, but I'll leave it at that.

I appreciate the debates going on in here - about how to address binaric language and representations. As people have said, the more books there are with trans characters, the less we have to worry that each book that addresses transness in any way has to do so much representing. While philosophically I am a big believer that gender binaries are untenable and to some degree absurd, they do allow for communication that kids can relate to. For example, my neighbor has tried and tried to use non-binaric language with her kid, who is gender non-conforming, and often it just seems to frustrate him. He wants to be able to say that something is a boy's outfit or a girl's outfit, and then to choose which one he wants to wear on a given day. I think it is a bit exasperating to him to always be told "there's no such thing as a boy's shirt or a girl's shirt. Boy's and girls get to wear whatever they feel comfortable wearing." He is absorbing one set of language rules and gender definitions from school and books and shows and movies, and then being told that it doesn't exist. This is all to say, it might actually be better for him at this point in his development to call things girls things and boys things. We can still say, we don't see things that way, but we can let him use language in a way that works for him. In other words, I'm not sure there is a right answer.

In terms of the skin color situation, that's a tough one. It is true that Jazz and her father are portrayed with lighter skin than they have in real life. I'm not sure what to make of that and I'd be curious to hear what those involved in the books making (Jazz, her family, the writer and illustrator) have to say about it.

In closing, I'm not sure how I would have rated this book if my almost 5 year old neighbor didn't love it so much. But he does. He knows it almost by heart and definitely wants a mermaid tail to wear in the swimming pool. So, I give it a four and express gratitude that he knows the word transgender and is building vocabularies for self expression and understanding.

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assigned reading for MLIS 7421: Multicultural Youth Literature.

This was probably the cutest and most delightful children's picture book I've read in a very long time! It tells the true story of Jazz Jennings, a trans girl who knew she was a little girl trapped in a boy's body since she was a toddler. It talks about her family's adjustment period to her transition, her classmates' behaviors towards her - and, most importantly, she touches on the fact that anyone who gives her a chance ends up loving her, and seeing her for the kind and lovely little girl she is. Not only is the story fantastic, but the art is gorgeous, too, and I will absolutely be purchasing a copy of this for my own child!

[Andrew Lovell · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is full of issues and demonstrates a lot of hypocrisy within the PC culture of 2019.

1 - Jazz is all about being who you are, your true self. Yet, in real life, Jazz is a dark skinned female (biological male) and the book portrays here as white. So be who you are...unless you want to sell books, then be white.

2- I thought that gender stereotypes were bad. such as "girl things" and "boy things". Yet Jazz classifies boy things as trucks, tools, and superheroes and girl things as dress up or having long hair. ** I liked playing dress up and I have had long hair for half of my adult life...Do I now need to identify as a female? Am I transgender? Can't children just be children who like anything. When I was 6, I identified as a Tyrannosaurus with a dinosaur brain, am I now a dinosaur. When I changed my mind and just wanted to be a kid again, can I switch back to a boy? Was my mom dinophobic to not call me a dinosaur? Is gender this fluid? If I should be able to legally identify as a female why can't I identify as 80 years old also becasue sometimes I feel that way? If I'm a male who identifies as a female but I like females am I straight or a lesbian?

3- Jazz's family finally understood that she/he wasn't a boy anymore at the very young age of what looks like 4 or 5 in the book because a doctor was able to come to the conclusion that at AGE 5, a biological male was now female because she/he liked to wear a mermaid tail in the pool and because Jazz said that she had a "girl brain".
Children literally know next to nothing about their sexuality at age 5 and what....What is a girl brain? Brains are not assigned gender just like our liver and heart don't have assigned gender. What does have gender is something called a penis. A penis along with the XY chromosomes tell us this pretty straight forward that you are indeed, biologically a male. If PC culture tells us that stereotypes don't matter why can't you just be a male who likes traditional male activities? How does claiming that you are a female and then calling everything you do "girly things" help the problem here?

4- Jazz's defense of allowing her to play on female teams is an absolute awful idea and is not a great thing to teach children. This is not to say that children of all sexes cannot play together. This is to say that when biological males who now identify as females play on female teams they destroy competition. I am not a feminist but this stance is clearly an anti-feminist stance. Another demonstration of how the progressive liberal ideas literally eat each other alive. When Caitlyn Jenner wins the Courage Award or Women of the Year or makes some list of "Top Women" this is basically slapping all women in the face. It is saying that Men are better at being women then women are being women. When a biological male now trans female high school track athlete takes 1st place and proudly take the state title, what moral lesson are we teaching everyone? Men and women are biologically different from lung capacity to muscle fibers to muscle composition. Pretending that biological males should play female sports is a complete joke and destroys the hard work of women and girls everywhere. ***This particular track athlete would have placed 25th in the male race and by taking 1st in the female race (broke the state record) has taken away the chance for some athlete out there to be seen by college coaches. ***Not to mention 2nd place was also a trans athlete** His/Her response to what female athletes should think if they have to race agaisnt her...well who cares, " if she felt a competitor had an unfair advantage, it would simply push her to try to improve." Great words of encouragement from all the males owning females in sports.

I would like to note that I am not for banning books ever. Freedom of speech is essential to a society...unless of course you disagree with this book than you probably shouldn't be able to write a review because you are transphobic, a white supremacist, neo nazi, trump fanatic, racist, bigot, sexist, facist, and alt right. I do not like this book because I do not think it was thought out well. I also find it to be pushing a hard agenda and speaks to a crowd who does not understand anything on the topic nor will they for another 5-10 years. These are children who don't understand basic biology, and most likely simple arithmetic, none the less understanding gender in 2019. I'm all for educating youth on things like anatomy and fair treatment for others even those who may act different than you and learning about topics such as sexual harassment/abuse and sex education, but to make a blanket statement like this book does is going to confuse the hell out of any child who listens to it. "Mom, I like mermaids and some "girly things"...so from now on, I'm a girl. Let's go to the doctors so I can start getting hormone therapy." Poorly written book.

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the true story of Jazz. She has a girls brain with a boys body. A very sensitive subject told with great respect and gently for young children.

[Cassie Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the highest rated banned book of 2015 due to it being about a transgender child. I personally loved the book because I think it is important to teach children at a young age about differences and how we should treat other people even if they are different from us. I Am Jazz speaks volumes about transgender youths and I think it is important to share with the world. Give the book a read if you have a chance!

[Adriana Scarpin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Estava procurando literatura queer infantil e me deparei com esse livrinho que mostra a transição de Jazz Jennings ainda na infância. Confesso que não tinha ouvido falar dela até agora, mas ela já tem 22 anos, transicionou na infância e é considerada a pessoa mais jovem a o fazer documentadamente ainda em 2005 na idade de cinco anos, para isso ela contou com profissionais e pais compreensivos. Soube também que ela tem uma série reality desde 2015 e mostrou todo seu processo de adolescência e entrada na fase adulta, sua cirurgia de afirmação de gênero e a compulsão alimentar.
Recentemente esse livrinho foi banido na Flórida (always) como sendo infantil, mas não podendo ser lido por crianças nas escolas, o que não quer dizer que não podemos achá-lo facilmente na Internet, hehehe
Talvez o livrinho deixe parecer que a transição seja mais fácil do que de fato é, é bem otimista, mas sem dúvida é um deleite para outras crianças trans que se enxergam na protagonista.
Happy #pride!

[Tyler Gray · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had some issues with this book.

1. Jazz is not white. So why is she white in the book?

2. Please don't use terms like "boy body" and "girl clothes." Don't enforce the binary and gender stereotypes on small children. Jazz is a girl, and therefor has a girls body. I understand all too well as a trans person with dysphoria myself being uncomfortable in one's body. That doesn't make my body a girl body. I'm not a girl.

3. I wish it had gone into a little more depth (it could've and still been for children) about what being trans means. That this is just one story, each story is important, but each story is also different.

4. And girls can like trucks and superhero's, boys can wear dresses. It ends up using the fact that Jazz likes dresses and being a princess as evidence for her being trans. It just reinforces gender stereotypes. There is nothing wrong with being a feminine girl, there is something wrong with saying to be a girl means to be feminine. You see what I mean.

And apparently this was written by 2 white cisgender women? I know people can write "stuff outside their lane" but I really think trans authors would have handled this better.

2 stars. I liked the message of accepting your child for who they are. That's always a good message.

[Kristie]

I read this book for banned book week 2018. This is a true story about a young girl that was born in a little boy body. She tells how it felt to her to be a child that didn't feel like her brain and her body matched. She does a very good job of explaining it at a level where children can understand. If you are looking for a way to explain transgender to your child or have a child that may struggle with this, this would be a good book to start with. If you are just trying to promote acceptance and kindness in your child, give it a read.

I understand that there are many people that don't understand transgender or don't know how to (or want to) explain it to their children. I also know some people just can't accept it as a reality. If you just can't handle it, don't read it, and if you don't want your child to be exposed to this part of life yet, don't have them read the book.

However, banning this book does an injustice to kids, particularly those that may be struggling with this and would benefit from not feeling so alone in the world. Honestly, the only thing this book will do to a child who is not transgender is help them to be more understanding and accepting of differences in others, which in my opinion is a good thing. Of course, it is totally your choice to read it or not, but banning is never helpful.

Read 9/17/18

[orangerful · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tricky book to write. The idea of gender identity for a child is not something easy to explain (not that it's really that much easier for adults). I think the author did the best she could to get the idea across on a level that would make sense to another young child.

But, as other reviewers have said, the examples of why she must be a girl weren't quite solid enough and I could see them confusing some younger readers who are comfortable with their gender but don't like the things that they are "supposed to" according to the toy people. As a kid (and today still) I loved Star Wars, video games, action movies and Ninja Turtles but I didn't have any gender identity issues.

It is hard to communicate what it must actually feel like for a transgendered child to know they are being treated as the wrong gender. This book does it's best to get that across and I have to applaud the effort. Hopefully this will pave the way for even more titles with similar themes and issues to help young children start to understand the multicolor rainbow of a world we live in and maybe grow into more tolerant teens and adults.

[Becket · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book whose moment has arrived. Sweet and simple, it still treats gender as a binary (understandable, since the idea of a gender spectrum may be challenging for kids still in the concrete-thinking stage), but sensitively explains the bare bones of what it means to be transgender. A great first step for helping kiddos (trans or cis) understand gender diversity.

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 1 out of 5]

My take away from this book is if you like mermaids, the color pink, and having long hair you are a girl...what?

Also...what are "girl thoughts"?

[Alejo Alvarez || babblewithale · Rating 2 out of 5]

DISCLAIMER: This review is currently under researched, and I'll hopefully come back to update my review when I do a larger deep dive on the controversy surrounding this book

Two things that bothered me about the book based on what I currently know/have perceived:

1) I recently learned that this book was modeled after Jazz Jennings, and assuming that the main character in this book is meant to represent her experiences, the blatant white-washing is disgusting and ridiculous. I know people may try to argue the fact that this was published in 2014 and that we should "take what we can get" when looking historically, but I refuse to believe that's healthy practice, especially when it doesn't authentically express nuanced trans experiences and the intersectional identities being erased in order to make it "palatable" to white folk. True education on these subjects can't be achieved when identity is censored or erased in such a manner. (Note: if anyone has any recommend sources, please share, but I would like to see how Jazz Jennings has responded to this type of criticism to the book)

2) I was also quite bothered by the language used to express gender dichotomies throughout the book. I know several people will interpret and have unique experiences with Trans identity, especially if people still interpret their identites to work within this dichotomy in order to express their true gender identity. (For example, I've seen this discourse especially in conversation surrounding gender neutral/inclusive terms like Latinx and Latine and how Trans folk find these terms, as being Latin American, to erase their identities and not exemplify their journey in discovering their Trans). However, based on my own understandings, experiences, and applications with this, I also see Trans identity create the space to ultimately challenge contemporary gender dichotomies and allow consistent fluidity and change as we grow as humans and discover how our gender identites may continue to be flexible. As such, that's why I was bothered by terms such as "girl's mind," "boy's body," "girl thoughts," "girl dreams," "girl stuff," etc. (Note: please understand that I am subtextually recognising gender dysphoria and how physical regalia and changes in cultural practices based on gender structures will be euphoric in gender validation, I am not challenging this). I think I'm just particularly upset that this type of language and framing was used since it is limiting to what a wide array of Trans identities will look like, in no way is intellectually liberating us from oppresive gender systems and practices (yes, even in a children's book: I literally just read Julián is a Mermaid, and it was sooooo much better), and it felt like it was intentially used to, yet again, be made palatable to straight, cis white folk so that they wouldn't be too riled up and still buy this book 🤨

‼️IN ADDITION‼️

The amount of conservative male reviews that I've seen left on this book is befuddling 😵‍💫 (Imagine if this energy was placed elsewhere, in actually helping our communities 🫩) But, who knows, if they're on this app, maybe someone can make them read something woke 🫣

But I actually do find these reviews by them to be revolting and hypocritical; so, to them, I send a fart of empathy hoping they soon understand that Trans people are people and are not an attack to their personal identity, ego, false sense of power, or unique gender identity that may currently be suppressed and should allow themselves to explore 💨

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a good book!!!!!
I love it so much.. I read it to my niece and nephew..
I know it's a banned book but honestly its a good book..

[Sage Staples · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a non-binary identifying individual, I found that this book highly reinforced gender stereotypes and gender roles. This is Jazz's individual experience, and I would never deny her of that and her experience is totally valid. I will be evaluating the book from a perspective of what this book could be read as for the larger gender-expansive community. The book communicates to me, that to be a girl, one must like pink, princess gowns, makeup, and high heels. Although Jazz is seen participating in physical activity, to have her physical activity be validated as a "girl activity", it must be done with other girls.

The page in which Jazz says that she is not exactly like Samantha and Casey, we see that Jazz is frowning. The book often says that what is important for Jazz is to accept herself; however, we see on this page that to be perceived by society as a girl, trans girls will always be seen as "less than" cis girls.

Saying that there are "boy" and "girl" bodies implies that to have a boy body, one must have certain body parts. I challenge this. What is a "boy" body and a "girl" body? What about intersex individuals? After this phrase, there is "I was born this way!" This narrative reinforces biological essentialism and denies social constructivism. This narrative can be harmful because it denies the existence of gender-expansive individuals who feel in-line with both theories of gender development, social constructivism only, or neither. Reasons of gender identity are not as clear-cut for everyone.

Lastly, the part in which Jazz is taken to the doctor reinforces two narratives: 1. to be validated as a trans girl, one must be told by a "professional" that this identity is valid 2. medical professionals know more than the individual. Jazz's parents needing a medical professional to know more about Jazz denies Jazz of her autonomy and agency. Jazz is not a girl to them until someone with a degree tells them that she is. Additionally, medical professionals are not always this knowledgeable. There is a large amount of abuse in the medical system toward trans individuals. It is unfair to trans people to have medical professionals be the gatekeeper to their health, identity, and safety.

Children's books are educational literature. Many, many children's books reinforce gender stereotypes and roles. This one is no different. This book is important, but it is also limited, as all books can be. It is important for children to have talks about this book, what it implies, and what it is missing.

[Florian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jazz Jennings is a young trans girl who works to spread positive messages about transness and increase awareness about gender identity. I applaud her efforts across many forms of media to educate, and her ability to so openly share herself and her stories with the world.

There is an urgent need for books about gender diversity for people of all ages, especially children. There is so little to serve the trans and gender variant communities in terms of children's literature, and the crumbs that do exist have never been written by trans people. Many of these books therefore lack an authenticity of experience. Bottom line: I am so glad that Jazz contributed to this book, and that her experiences as a trans person are out there in the world to help trans kids.

That being said, it is important to recognize that Jazz's story fits very neatly into the most conventional ideas of transness. It has many of the elements of the basic trans narrative: born in the wrong body, historic attraction to things of the "opposite" gender, early and persistent knowledge of being trans, fitting into the male/female binary, etc. It is the most commonly heard trans experience, but not the only one.

I wish that this book gave more consideration to recognizing that gender isn't a binary, and that trans or gender nonconforming children have a diverse array of experiences. I cringed on the page that defined transgender as "I have a girl brain, but a boy body." The fundamental idea of transness is so much more nuanced than this. I don't think children would be unable to grasp a more complex idea of gender.

When I talk to children about gender, they often exhibit a flexibility and imagination that most adults lack. I wish that I Am Jazz didn't package its message in such a watered down way because the authors underestimated children's ability to understand complex ideas.

Ultimately, this was not the book I wanted it to be, but the solution is to have more options to choose from. We need books about trans kids of color, nonbinary trans kids, books about trans kids that seek to educate, and books about trans characters that just happen to be trans. We need more media to tell the vibrant and diverse stories of the trans community.

[Colona Public Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is on the banned book list this year! Every year I celebrate banned book week by reading a book off the yearly list. At our library we like to have the freedom to read! I thought this book was well spoken and tackled perhaps a confusing subject for kids, very nicely and respectfully. I didn't particularly like the stereotypical society "boy stuff" and "girl stuff" bits, though I felt it still was a good introduction. ~Ashley

It was nicely illustrated, but after reading some reviews it sounds like they have whitewashed Jazz. I could understand if they based a character off of her, but it is literally about her.

[Melissa Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story about a little girl named Jazz, who despite being born a boy, learns that she is transgender. Showing the reader that it is ok to feel different and this book can help children to understand this. Would help children to be more accepting of others beliefs and not tease each other, like how Jazz had been.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the true story of a young boy who felt more comfortable as and thought of himself as a girl. Luckily for him, he had parents who took him to a specialist who told them that he is transgender. They then let him be the girl he wanted to be, and to change his name to Jazz.

What I especially like about this book is that Jazz tells her story herself, which allows the reader to empathize more easily with her. As she describes her feelings and frustrations, it becomes clear that she can't help how she feels. This is so important for others to understand.

At the end of the book is information on the TransKids Purple Rainbow Foundation accompanied by photos of the real Jazz as a young boy and young girl. On the jacket flap is a photo of Jazz as she is today, at age 13. This is a wonderful book to pair with Jacob's New Dress by Sarah and Ian Hoffman. Recommended!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am Jazz is a cute introduction to what it means to be trans to help kids understand. I think it's a solid introduction, and worth a read, but best to be combined with other LGBTQIA+ kid-friendly books.

The story is laid out nicely, and the tone is straightforward and informative, but still lets you see into Jazz's feelings and experiences. The illustrations are very cute. The book addresses a topic that I think kids deserve to have discussed with them.

The illustrations also seem to lighten her skin-tone a fair bit, which I was less than fond of. The narrative also seems to really reinforce the gender binary in a way that I didn't think was helpful, and would potentially be hurtful.

I do think this was a good place to start with kids regarding trans identity, but I also think that it's the kind of book that requires following up with other books to accompany it.

[Sisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a girl named Jazz who was born a boy. Ever since she was young, she liked to wear dresses and play with dolls. She never liked trucks or anything like that. At first, her parents let her wear the dresses at home but whenever they went outside, she wore boy's clothes. She did not like this. Her parents would refer to her as a boy but she would tell them that she is a girl. At first her parents were confused but eventually, they took her to see a doctor and the doctor was able to help her with the transition. Now she loves her life being a girl. This story is based on a real child named Jazz. She has her own TV show as well that talks about her transition. This book includes the themes of difference and acceptance. I think it will be a good resource in the classroom.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a good younger version of Jazz's [auto]biography. I think I need to try to read this with my kindergartens and see how that goes!
Update: Read with grade 1 and it went very well! I think it explains things so well. The only thing I don't like is how it speaks of gender-specific clothing, but it is important to Jazz's story and the kids do understand and can empathize with being forced to live as a gender different than what they identify with.
Read with Kindergarten. They didn't ask as many questions as grade 1 did but I think they still got the point.
Also read with PreK

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Jazz's story so I guess I just wanted more from this story. It was a good beginner's book, but I think that there should have been a little more information on what it means to be transgender. A lot of people don't understand what that really means so I think a book like this would serve as a great tool to help children understand what it really means to be transgender. I hope that Jazz does decide to write a memoir about her experiences one day. I definitely would pick that up.