Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen
Ratings5
Average rating4.3
15
Ratings5
Average rating4.3
Celebrate Pride every day with the teen advocate, trailblazer, and reality show star Jazz Jennings—one of Time Magazine's "25 Most Influential Teens" of the year. In this groundbreaking memoir, she inspires people to accept the differences in others while they embrace their own truths through sharing her very public transgender journey. "Jazz is one of the transgender community's most important activists." —Cosmopolitan "A role model for teens everywhere." —Seventeen At the age of five, Jazz Jennings’s transition to life as a girl put her in the public spotlight after she shared her story on national television. She’s since become one of the most recognizable and prominent advocates for transgender teens, through her TV show, interviews, and social media. Jazz’s openness has led to bullying and mistreatment from those who don’t understand her choices. She’s fought for the right to use the girls’ bathroom and to play on a girls’ soccer team, paving the way for others. And in this book, Jazz faces an even greater struggle—dealing with the physical and social stresses of being a teen. But being on the front lines of trans activism doesn't stop Jazz from experiencing the joys of growing up, from day camp to first dates. Jazz Jennings is one of the youngest and most prominent voices in the national discussion about gender identity. This remarkable memoir is a testament to the power of accepting yourself, learning to live an authentic life, and helping everyone to embrace their own truths.
Reviews with the most likes.
Jazz Jennings, like Oprah, speaks like 75% in Inspirational Sayings, but like Oprah, she sells the shit out of them. I wasn't sure I'd get into this book tbh–I felt like it was maybe aimed more either at kids/teens questioning their gender identity, or maybe people who want a Trans 101, but Jazz (who reads the audiobook) has a really sincere tone that really works here–she's open and funny about some of the struggles she's gone through, but also super aware and obviously super moved by the fact that a lot of trans kids haven't had the support she's had. I teared up like ten thousand times listening to it.
I do think it would be great especially for trans kids/teens (or parents/friends/etc of trans kids/teens...so like, most people really), but Jazz's life story is funny and moving for anyone. She reads the audiobook herself and does a killer Obama impression in it.
Informative and touching
Really glad I got to read this book. I learned a lot about jazz but also about some of the hardships transgendered kids have to go through. Even though you can tell this was written by a 15 year old girl, it reads exceptionally well. For anyone who wants to know more about the trans youth and is willing to try to understand or learn more or ways you can help. Lots of awesome information and links included at the end of the book too in order to do more research on your own.
