Great book, it really helps me understand people’s gender identities better. However, I find it extremely inappropriate that this book is available in middle school libraries. There’s a sex scene with a strap on dildo, children don’t need to see that.

I have been wanting to read this book solely based on how often it has been being banned in the last year but what sold me on picking it up was that I had a student ask me questions about some things they read about gender in this book. And I was so excited to see that it was available in Kindle Unlimited!

What can I say about this memoir that hasn't already been said? It was eye-opening to read and I wish I had read it before now because I have had students and friends who I wish I could have recommended it to when they needed it. I have never really questioned my gender identity but I can see how important this graphic novel is to have on shelves for those who are. I kept thinking of specific friends who needed this book ten years ago when they were struggling with these same things. It makes me sad that it is the most banned book in the US right now. 

The thing I wasn't expecting when I picked it up was how often I saw pieces of myself in this book when the author is was figuring out e were ace/aro. It was something I didn't know I needed to read.

I wish this book could be required reading. Not only so those who need it can read it but also so others can understand the struggles of others and build some empathy.

I'm always trying to learn more about trans experiences. This book was very heartfelt and beautiful.

#fREADom #UniteAgaintBookBans 

As a transgender reader, I loved this book. If I had read this in middle school or high school, I would have understood myself a lot better. I’m sad that this book has risen the ranks of banned books to become THE most banned book in America. I hope this book gets into the hands of the people who need it somehow. 

Kobabe’s story of living with body and gender dysphoria and eir slow, often confusing journey to self-discovery is moving and important. So many people, especially younger folks, are going to benefit from seeing themselves and/or their friends/family in this book. For that alone, I think everyone should read this.

I will say, though, that I’m not sure who the intended audience is for this book. The art style and voice read very, very young but some of the content is very adult—nothing too explicit but there are frank, open discussions of sex and sexuality as well as some nudity. So, I’m going with teenagers? Maybe?

Aside from that, I enjoyed this graphic memoir. Kobabe’s humor, frankness, vulnerability and early 2000s nostalgia are spot on. I especially loved eir discussions with friends and family about gender and sexuality. It was also nice to see eir confusion. So many identity stories are about people struggling to get others to accept who they know they are but there are so few stories of people not really knowing who they are. I appreciated Kobabe’s uncertainty and how difficult it was for em to figure it all out.

I also liked the clean, easy-to-read art style. I do wish it had read more adult and I thought the narrative often felt pieced together, which didn’t flow well.

Overall, though, I’m really glad I read this. And I think you should, too.

this book. it feels so similar to parts of me growing up that it almost hurts, like the scale thing especially that e talk about. and the sentiment of saying "I'm thinking I want to be a boy, not that I am a boy so I don't think I'm trans" and like that rush of adrenaline in summertime presentations where you get gendered like That. additionally the art style feels warm and comforting and i love it.