The story of a transgender child based on the real-life experience of Jazz Jennings, who has become a spokesperson for transkids everywhere"This is an essential tool for parents and teachers to share with children whether those kids identify as trans or not. I wish I had had a book like this when I was a kid struggling with gender identity questions. I found it deeply moving in its simplicity and honesty."—Laverne Cox (who plays Sophia in “Orange Is the New Black”)
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.
On sale: September 4, 2014
Age: 4-8 years
Grade: Preschool - 3
Page count: 32 Pages
ISBN: 9780803741072
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.
Jazz Jennings is a trans woman, YouTube celebrity, spokesmodel, activist, and author of the memoir
Being Jazz. She has a docu-series about her life called
I Am Jazz on TLC, which started airing in July 2015. She was named to
Time’s “Most Influential Teens” list two years in a row, was one of
Huffington Post’s “14 Most Fearless Teens,” and was the youngest person ever featured on
Out’s “Out 100,” as well as on
Advocate’s “40 Under 40” list. In 2014, she was named a Human Rights Campaign Youth Ambassador and received LogoTV’s Youth Trailblazer Award.
Shelagh McNicholas has illustrated many books for children, including
I Am Jazz, The Perfect Pony, and
Little Ballet Star. She lives in England.
A 2015 Rainbow List Selection
"All young people—regardless of difference—deserve the things Jazz shares in her lovely book: a loving family, supportive friends, and the freedom to be their true selves. A beautifully illustrated and accessible primer on one trans girl's journey of living her truth."—Janet Mock,
New York Times bestselling author of
Redefining Realness "I wish I had had a book like this when I was a kid struggling with gender identity questions. I found it deeply moving in its simplicity and honesty."—Laverne Cox, acclaimed actress and transgender advocate
"Jazz is a sensitive and courageous young woman. Her story is inspiring and important to read. By sharing her experiences and view she has added to our understanding and compassion for the transgender experience."—Barbara Walters
"A terrific and timely book that explains to kids what it means to be transgender and—more importantly—that reminds kids our similarities are much more important than our differences."—Jodi Picoult,
New York Times bestselling author of
The Storyteller and
Between the Lines “
I Am Jazz is honest, inspiring, and beautiful—but its greatest strength is it never apologizes for being different.”—Brad Meltzer,
New York Times bestselling author of
I Am Amelia Earhart
