I Am Jazz

An autobiographical picture book describes trans-youth activist Jazz Jennings’ story of embracing and asserting her transgender identity.

Both the title and the opening text proclaims, “I am Jazz!” The book goes on to detail Jazz’s various interests and tastes, which follow traditionally feminine gender norms. But as Jazz goes on to explain, she has “a girl brain but a boy body. This is called transgender. I was born this way!” Although the realistic watercolor illustrations consistently display only happy faces in these beginning pages, the text recounts her family’s struggle to understand her early-childhood assertion of femininity: “At first my family was confused. They’d always thought of me as a boy.” Jazz show more recalls her pain when compelled to wear “boy clothes” in public. “Pretending I was a boy felt like telling a lie.” Her parents’ efforts to understand prompt them to meet with a doctor who introduces the word “transgender,” which enables the family’s powerful affirmation: “We understand now. Be who you are. We love you no matter what.” The story balances this acceptance with honest acknowledgement of others’ ongoing confusion and intermittent cruelty, and it briefly addresses Jazz’s exclusion from girls’ soccer in her state. Ultimately, Jazz’s self-acceptance, bolstered by her family’s support and advocacy, acts as a beacon for readers, trans- and cisgender alike.

An empowering, timely story with the power to help readers proclaim, in the words of Jazz’s parents, “We understand now." (Picture book. 3 & up)

-Kirkus Review show less

An autobiographical picture book describes trans-youth activist Jazz Jennings’ story of embracing and asserting her transgender identity.

Both the title and the opening text proclaims, “I am Jazz!” The book goes on to detail Jazz’s various interests and tastes, which follow traditionally feminine gender norms. But as Jazz goes on to explain, she has “a girl brain but a boy body. This is called transgender. I was born this way!” Although the realistic watercolor illustrations consistently display only happy faces in these beginning pages, the text recounts her family’s struggle to understand her early-childhood assertion of femininity: “At first my family was confused. They’d always thought of me as a boy.” Jazz show more recalls her pain when compelled to wear “boy clothes” in public. “Pretending I was a boy felt like telling a lie.” Her parents’ efforts to understand prompt them to meet with a doctor who introduces the word “transgender,” which enables the family’s powerful affirmation: “We understand now. Be who you are. We love you no matter what.” The story balances this acceptance with honest acknowledgement of others’ ongoing confusion and intermittent cruelty, and it briefly addresses Jazz’s exclusion from girls’ soccer in her state. Ultimately, Jazz’s self-acceptance, bolstered by her family’s support and advocacy, acts as a beacon for readers, trans- and cisgender alike.

An empowering, timely story with the power to help readers proclaim, in the words of Jazz’s parents, “We understand now." (Picture book. 3 & up)

-Kirkus Review show less

I have followed the story of Jazz for many years. This book is nice because it is clear that Jazz was always a girl. Often times people think it's a choice. Jazz expresses that she only feels good in dressed and skirts, and playing with other girls. I used to work at a school with a transgender child. Parents were enraged at the idea of this child using the bathroom with "real" girls. I understand both sides. It reasonable to not want a child with a penis to go into the bathroom with your little girl. It's also very easy for me to understand a child that feels like a girl trapped in a boy's body. This book finds a way to show us how Jazz feels! I was happy to see her accepted and loved. I really enjoyed this book!

I decided to celebrate Banned Book Week by reading a small pile of frequently challenged books. I can see how intolerant people would have a problem that this book even exists. It succeeds with nice art and a story that educates and gets its point across quite simply. This is a good introduction to a complex issue for kids or even adults like me who live pretty sheltered lives.

I enjoyed reading "I am Jazz" for three reasons. First, I enjoyed reading this book because there are not a lot of transgender childrens' books out there. I have heard of Jazz before and was interested to read what the childrens' book was about. Second, I found this book to be inspiring and courageous. There are many examples in the text that show Jazz being proud of who she is (ex. "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"! Third, I liked the message behind the book. Today, I know there are probably many children who are struggling with their identity. This is a great book for children to use if they show more need reassurance that being different is okay! Although I enjoyed reading "I am Jazz' I think this book would be most appropriate for an older age child, especially ones that can relate to Jazz. "I am Jazz' is a non-fiction story about a child who realizes they are transgender at a very young age. Although the child struggles with being different in the beginning of the text, she realizes that on the inside she is happy and proud. The message behind the book is that being different is okay. As long as someone is happy and staying true to themselves, that is what should matter the most. show less

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 show more 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! show less

Jazz is lively child who loves pink, dancing, dressing up like the other girls. There is just one problem, she grew up a boy and her parents and family addressed as such. Jazz learns that she is transgender and her family and friends, although confused as to her identity learn about transgender children and accept her for who she is. Most importantly, Jazz learns to accept herself. A book told from a child's pint of view who is transgender and how confusing it can be to feel accepted. Even though the book is upbeat about Jazz's overcoming diversity, it makes you wonder how many more children suffer from bullying and hate. My wife and I had friends who had a son who was coping with these issues and he would wear girls clothes to school, show more and did things at a very young age and he suffered a lot of bullying from family and friends. When we are taught and enlightened by this issue we must teach children that we are human and being human means we must ask those questions that deserve our understanding, and we a better off for abiding by this acceptance. show less