Gender Identity: Beyond Pronouns and Bathrooms

Reviews

School Library Connection
Grades 8-12 “Once the terms he, she, gay and straight were all that was required for a discussion about gender and sexuality. Now a plethora of terms exist to helpfully indicate the broad spectrum of genders and sexual orientations which many people are using to better define and express their individual identity. This recognition and acceptance was won by many courageous individuals whose stories, dating back to the 1930s, are told in this title. Still, even today there are cultural norms that limit full acceptance of the true range of gender and sexual expression, especially for people identifying as transgender. Various groups using social media, individual stories, and legal action are working to change laws and attitudes that limit acceptance of individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. Photos, cartoons, and news reports are used to supplement the text. Critical thinking activities encourage readers, individually or in groups, to examine their personal attitudes, and consider how this new information increases their understanding of the range of gender and sexual expression. Recommended”

Windy City Times: The Voice of Chicago’s Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Trans, and Queer Community
"What exactly is gender? How does one determine pronouns, for themselves and others? And why, exactly, is the bathroom debate such a big deal?

Gender Identity: Beyond Pronouns and Bathrooms . . . is a gentle but thorough resource for younger readers looking to define their own identities or understand others, and for adults who want an easy-to-follow guide to transgender history. . . .Gender Identity hits all the important points of transgender history—the life of Christine Jorgensen, the first American to medically transition, as well as the Stonewall Riots, initiated by trans women of color Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson—and supplements with information that isn't as widely known. There's a sober reminder of the demise of Brandon Teena, a young transgender man in Nebraska who was the subject of the Oscar-winning 2000 film "Boys Don't Cry", and more uplifting passages about the rise of social media in helping young trans people feel seen and understood.

Cook's writing is both informative and engaging, favoring short declarative sentences and vivid descriptions. Illustrator Alexis Cornell, a graduate of the prestigious Center for Cartoon Studies, enhances the narrative with a snappy and fun comic strip at the beginning of every chapter. Most significantly, Gender Identity: Beyond Pronouns and Bathrooms encourages communication, respect and acceptance at every turn—and that is perhaps its greatest lesson of all." Read the complete review online.

Booklist
“. . .Gender Identity provides a chronological narrative, providing the history of relevant issues, individuals’ stories, lawsuits, and social changes over the last century.  . . Well organized information and practical help for students researching significant social issues.”

Publishers Weekly
“This addition to the Inquire & Investigate series provides an interactive exploration of gender identity, gendered societal expectations, and LGBTQ rights. Sections explore gender expression in media and place changing views within the broader context of social history. They also name significant events, figures, and legislation pivotal to the LGBTQ movement from the 1930s onward. Cornell’s comic panels feature characters expressing affirming perspectives on gender identity, while Cook provides vocabulary relating to expression, questions for readers to consider, and suggestions for further investigation. A thought-provoking resource. Ages 12–15.”

From the foreword by Christine Hallquist, first openly transgender major party gubernatorial nominee in the United States
“Maria Cook has done a brilliant job of capturing the important moments and the key leaders in the transgender movement, as well as providing an understanding of the nuance of language and the issues. For anyone who is transgender, who knows someone who is transgender, or simply wants to learn about the transgender movement, this is the book for you.”

Praise for other books in the Inquire and Investigate series:

Comparative Religion: Investigate the World Through Religious Traditions
Booklist
"The abstractions of religion make it a tricky topic for objective and clear middle-level resources, but this dynamic book manages to be both informative and accessible."

The Holocaust: Racism and Genocide in World War II
Skipping Stones 2018 Honor Award

Terrorism: Violence, Intimidation, and Solutions for Peace
VOYA Magazine
“. . .a good overview of an incredibly intricate and evolving topic, useful for middle-grade and high school history classrooms.”