{"id":92,"date":"2018-06-04T19:44:37","date_gmt":"2018-06-04T19:44:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itslitteaching.wordpress.com\/?p=92"},"modified":"2020-10-24T05:56:21","modified_gmt":"2020-10-24T10:56:21","slug":"i-am-j","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itslitteaching.com\/i-am-j\/","title":{"rendered":"I Am J: Do You Need this Novel?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Now more than ever, I believe it is our duty as educators to introduce students to diverse voices. I am J<\/em> by Cris Beam does a wonderful job of introducing teen readers to the story of J, a transgendered teen who struggles to accept himself. <\/strong>This novel is simultaneously heart wrenching and hopeful. It is a great read for students who are struggling with their own gender identity or who would like to understand further the struggles of their transgendered peers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and love, or think my readers will find useful.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Drew Me to I Am J<\/em>:<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our school (an alternative choice school) is slowly becoming an oasis for transgendered and questioning students who are struggling at the larger high schools. Because of this, I am actively trying to increase the amount of LGBTQIA literature in my classroom library. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also want to be familiar with trans lit myself, so I can make recommendations to students. I got this title from a colleague, and I can’t wait to get my hands on more books for my students who are struggling with their identity. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Makes I Am J<\/em> “Lit”?<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When I started I Am J<\/a>,<\/em> I wasn’t really into it.<\/strong> The main character J hates himself so much. He’s negative and self-defeating, and it’s hard to be in someone’s head like that for very long. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, as J comes to realize, acknowledge, and accept his identity as a trans man, the book becomes more enjoyable and pleasurable to read.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think this effect is pretty masterful on the part of the author. <\/strong>Regardless of how we the reader identify, we are pulled along through J’s transformation: his denial, his self-hate, his transformation, and finally his self-acceptance. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We ride the emotional roller coaster that comes with J’s journey. By the end of the novel, I felt lighter myself as J finds his community and himself. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

J’s family isn’t supportive of his being transgendered. His best friend Melissa doesn’t really get it at first. J isn’t even sure what being trans means himself or what you’re supposed to do once you realize you are trans. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think there are a lot of young people who can understand this struggle. Or maybe they have a friend going through the struggle of learning what it means to be transgender. This novel could be invaluable to them. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For students who are struggling with their own identity, I am J <\/a><\/em> shows them that they are not alone. For others, it shows them a glimpse into the trans experience so that they can better understand and empathize. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I highly recommend having a couple copies of this book on your classroom shelf; you never knew for whom it could make all the difference. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Who’s The Ideal Reader for I am J?<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The LGBTQ population is growing in my school, specifically the number of trans students. I wanted to make sure that they would have something on the shelf that makes them feel represented. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

J is someone you can connect with, and his story can teach those questioning their identity a lot about starting that journey. It can also provide hope that eventually, one will find his or her community–even without a supportive family.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For non-LGBTQ students, J’s story can build understanding and empathy. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am J<\/a><\/em> <\/em>would be a great book for any student who is drawn to LGBTQ stories or who is actively questioning their own identity. It could be a great book for gay-straight alliance groups or peer support groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It might also be great to have on hand to recommend to parents who are struggling with understanding their child’s identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wouldn’t really recommend I am J<\/em> <\/a>to anyone who doesn’t actively seek out this genre. <\/strong>For one, the beginning is a little hard to get through if you can’t connect (I hated being in J’s self-hating head!). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Book talk this in your classroom or display it prominently, and the students who need it will find it. But this isn’t one to push on students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n