I Am J: A Boy's Story (who was born as a girl)

I Am J by Cris Beam

Why did I read it?

I just started another library science class this summer, and it is Children's Literature for a Diverse Society. I am J is a new book that just rolled across my desk, and it fits right along with the themes of my class.

What happened?

J might have been born a girl, Jeni, but he has known his entire life that it was a mistake. He knew that if gender was assigned, that his was assigned incorrectly. J has plodded through his life, stuck with a body that he hates and that continues to betray him. But that is all about to change.

After a certain incident with his best friend, J starts to question how he's been living. Instead of existing as a head trying to avoid his body, he wants to start making changes to his body so it is closer to what he knows he is.

But, that decision starts to dissolve his relationships with his friends, his family, and the future that he had initially planned. While that is the case, J knows this is something he has to do, and while he will try to get those other pieces back, he knows he has to be himself.

What did I like or not like?

My first assignment for my summer class is talking about books on diversity and whether they serve as a window to another culture, or a mirror about myself. These kinds of books do both for me. I am not very familiar with the LGBTQ world, so Will Grayson, Will Grayson and I Am J were a very eye-opening window into how this community thinks and exists.

But on the other hand, both books made me think about my own ideas on these topics, and how we all question who we are and who we are going to become. So, they also served as a mirror.

P.S. This book deals with a transgender main character, discussions of sex and sexual identity, and has some cussing.

That Name is My Name Too...

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Why did I read it?

I'm always amazed at how many books there are in the Young Adult category. From fiction to non-fiction, romance to realism, straight to gay, there are more books out there than any one person could read. However, there are a few books that many folks agree should not be missed, and Will Grayson, Will Grayson is one of them. While I must admit I probably wouldn't have picked it up unless it was for a class, I'm glad I did.

What happened?

Although there are two Will Grayson's living in the Chicago area, they have never met each other. Will Grayson has two rules: shut up and don't care. will grayson doesn't see a reason to care. Will Grayson has a best friend named Tiny Cooper (who is in all actuality the largest and gayest football player you'll ever know), and will grayson has a frenemy named maura. Finally, Will Grayson's desire to be with Jane is only matched by his desire not to be with Jane, and will grayson's desire to be with isaac is the only thing keeping him upright.

Ultimately, these two distinct characters and stories begin to blend together as their lives intersect one night in downtown Chicago, and as Tiny becomes the main character in both of their lives and his upcoming musical production of Tiny Dancer: The Tiny Cooper Story.

What did I like or not like?

The way this novel was written was really cool. Green wrote the story from one Will's perspective, and Levithan wrote the story from the other Will's perspective, and the truth we find between these two perspectives works out really nicely. another cool fact is that one will grayson perspective is written entirely in lowercase letters. Ultimately, we get an interesting look at how trying to avoid hurt by not caring might actually hurt more than pouring your life into someone else.

P.S. Obviously, this novel has several gay characters, and deals with sexual identity throughout. There is also some sexual content and discussions, and cussing. Even though its a good book regardless of these elements, I didn't want you to be surprised.