Awards

• Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
• NYC Reads 365 Recommended Reading List

Overview

Full Product Details

9780761390220

Table of Contents

Reviews

In chapters that blend first-person discourse (apparently based on author interviews or prompts), editorial segues, and objective information, Cronn-Mills offers an overview of a range of gender-nonconforming life experiences. Paying careful attention to vocabulary and terminology preferred by the GLTB(QQIA) community, she navigates the distinction between gender identity and sexual orientation and advances the voices of people who have transitioned from assigned birth gender to current gender, with varying degrees of medical intervention. Whereas the testimonies here are briefer and more frequently interrupted than those of Susan Kuklin's Beyond Magenta (BCCB 2/14), the information concerning hows and whys of hormonal and surgical interventions (as well as the choice to elect neither option) makes this a complementary resource. Although the title refers specifically to transgender persons, Cronn-Miller also includes gay drag performer Dave Gaer, who appreciates his feminine traits without transitioning from his birth identity, and genderqueer Julia Kelleher, who avers, 'I don't think I am really a man or a woman.' Inclusion of these related perspectives broadens the range of issues and offers valuable clarifications for readers who are sorting through what may be an unfamiliar set of life experiences. A timeline of selected transgender events is included, as well as a glossary, a selected Who's Who of trans* Americans, source notes, resources, and index are included. YAs familiar with Cronn-Mills from her Stonewall Award-winning Beautiful Music for Ugly Children (BCCB 1/13) will be particularly pleased to encounter her nonfiction work. --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Literature --Journal In this collection of narrative and photographic portraits, Cronn-Mills introduces her readers to individuals who defy generalization in their lives spanning the transgender spectrum. Natasha, like many others interviewed by the author, says that ever since she was a child she has felt that she had 'to live for myself.' Hayden's sister claims that 'he is the same person.' Brooke 'thinks it is an honor' to represent trans youth. Julia, in her freedom to express her fluid gender identity, says that she is 'just being myself.' Interspersed with the profiles of each individual are informational sections regarding history, language, medical and insurance concerns, and politics. But speaking loudest and clearest are the full-page photographs of the interviewees, who honestly describe the journeys toward their refreshingly genuine life choices. Respectfully included by Cronn-Mills in each portrayal are the allies, friends, and family members, who see only 'the person that [they] love.' Even readers familiar with transgender narratives will grow with deeper understanding and compassion. --Booklist --Journal Cronn-Mills has written an admirably informative and respectful book, exploring the diverse and complex world of transgender identity. Through personal narratives, the reader meets remarkable people who represent a wide range of experiences as they have realized and acted for their gender identities. Cronn-Mills grounds the personal in well-researched and well-organized information about the transgender spectrum and identities; about perspectives and interpretations through history and across cultures; about legal ramifications; and, in a particularly unsettling chapter, medical issues. She includes a timeline of key events and a 'Selected Who's Who.' She also gives the reader an extensive list of fiction, nonfiction, and film and TV sources for further information. This book should be on the shelf in all middle, high school, and public libraries where patrons could be seeking understanding and/or affirmation of the complexities of gender. Bibliography. Glossary. Websites. Index. [Editor's Note: Available in e-book format.] Highly Recommended. starred, Library Media Connection --Journal

Cronn-Mills has written an admirably informative and respectful book, exploring the diverse and complex world of transgender identity. Through personal narratives, the reader meets remarkable people who represent a wide range of experiences as they have realized and acted for their gender identities. Cronn-Mills grounds the personal in well-researched and well-organized information about the transgender spectrum and identities; about perspectives and interpretations through history and across cultures; about legal ramifications; and, in a particularly unsettling chapter, medical issues. She includes a timeline of key events and a 'Selected Who's Who.' She also gives the reader an extensive list of fiction, nonfiction, and film and TV sources for further information. This book should be on the shelf in all middle, high school, and public libraries where patrons could be seeking understanding and/or affirmation of the complexities of gender. Bibliography. Glossary. Websites. Index. [Editor's Note: Available in e-book format.] Highly Recommended. starred, Library Media Connection -- Journal (3/1/2015 12:00:00 AM) In this collection of narrative and photographic portraits, Cronn-Mills introduces her readers to individuals who defy generalization in their lives spanning the transgender spectrum. Natasha, like many others interviewed by the author, says that ever since she was a child she has felt that she had 'to live for myself.' Hayden's sister claims that 'he is the same person.' Brooke 'thinks it is an honor' to represent trans youth. Julia, in her freedom to express her fluid gender identity, says that she is 'just being myself.' Interspersed with the profiles of each individual are informational sections regarding history, language, medical and insurance concerns, and politics. But speaking loudest and clearest are the full-page photographs of the interviewees, who honestly describe the journeys toward their refreshingly genuine life choices. Respectfully included by Cronn-Mills in each portrayal are the allies, friends, and family members, who see only 'the person that [they] love.' Even readers familiar with transgender narratives will grow with deeper understanding and compassion. --Booklist -- Journal (10/1/2014 12:00:00 AM) In chapters that blend first-person discourse (apparently based on author interviews or prompts), editorial segues, and objective information, Cronn-Mills offers an overview of a range of gender-nonconforming life experiences. Paying careful attention to vocabulary and terminology preferred by the GLTB(QQIA) community, she navigates the distinction between gender identity and sexual orientation and advances the voices of people who have transitioned from assigned birth gender to current gender, with varying degrees of medical intervention. Whereas the testimonies here are briefer and more frequently interrupted than those of Susan Kuklin's Beyond Magenta (BCCB 2/14), the information concerning hows and whys of hormonal and surgical interventions (as well as the choice to elect neither option) makes this a complementary resource. Although the title refers specifically to transgender persons, Cronn-Miller also includes gay drag performer Dave Gaer, who appreciates his feminine traits without transitioning from his birth identity, and genderqueer Julia Kelleher, who avers, 'I don't think I am really a man or a woman.' Inclusion of these related perspectives broadens the range of issues and offers valuable clarifications for readers who are sorting through what may be an unfamiliar set of life experiences. A timeline of selected transgender events is included, as well as a glossary, a selected Who's Who of trans* Americans, source notes, resources, and index are included. YAs familiar with Cronn-Mills from her Stonewall Award-winning Beautiful Music for Ugly Children (BCCB 1/13) will be particularly pleased to encounter her nonfiction work. --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Literature -- Journal (1/1/2015 12:00:00 AM)

Author Information

Kirstin Cronn-Mills, PhD, teaches writing, literature, and critical thinking at South Central College in North Mankato, Minnesota. She writes fiction, poetry, and nonfiction books and articles. Her young adult fiction and nonfiction have been honored several times, including a Minnesota Book Award nomination for LGBTQ+ Athletes Claim the Field in 2017. LGBTQ+ Athletes was also a 2016 Junior Library Guild selection, a 2017 American Library Association Rainbow List selection, and a 2017 Best Children's Books of the Year selection from Bank Street College.

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