I Am J
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4.4 • 31 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
A powerful and inspiring story about a transgender teen's struggle to find his own path -- and love his true self.
J had always felt different. He was certain that eventually everyone would understand who he really was: a boy mistakenly born as a girl. Yet as he grew up, his body began to betray him; eventually J stopped praying to wake up a "real boy" and started covering up his body, keeping himself invisible -- from his parents, from his friends, from the world. But after being deserted by the best friend he thought would always be by his side, J decides that he's done hiding. It's time to be who he really is. And this time he is determined not to give up, no matter the cost.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
J was born Jenifer but has never felt female. Now on the verge of 18, he wants to be "more than just a hovering brain without a body," and starts to transition to male. He binds his breasts; attends a school for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth; and starts therapy so he can be approved for testosterone injections. Change isn't easy: afraid of his father's rejection, J runs away temporarily, and is anxious that the girlfriend who "saw him as a man" will find out that he is "trans." Readers will learn a lot about transgender teens as J does online research, attends a support group, and gets advice from friends who have transitioned; adult author Beam (Transparent) also includes a four-page list of resources. It is J's authentic voice that keeps this challenging story from simply being a problem novel. J is sure of his masculinity, yet vulnerable and confused, and his thoughts often come out in a tangled rush. Readers should be absorbed by J's struggle to prove "My gender's not a lie. I am not a lie." Ages 15 up.
Customer Reviews
The characters in the story really take you on a journey
This is totally worth the read for any lgbt person who feels there isn't much fiction for us to read. What's I really like about this author is the way readers are taken to these rural locations and be a kart of the characters adventures.
Okay, but I have some issues
I am rating this three stars because of some of the potentially dangerous misinformation that can be found in this book for newfound trans kids wanting a book with a main character like them. J binds with ace bandages and does other things in the book that can give new readers the wrong idea about being trans.
Fantastic
I Am J is an astounding book. Not only does appeal to that emotional, angsty teenager inside of all of us. It also attaches to each individuals need to be complete. An outstanding read that everyone trans and non trans should read.