Book Review: Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family / Amy Ellis Nutt

We had a couple of guests (Jeff Perrotti and Landon Callahan) present at a professional development workshop with the goal of sharing how we can best support our LGBT+ students. (And honestly - when teachers learn to support one population of students better, I think that there are ripples that extend to all populations.)

Jeff shared with us some books that provide fodder so that we can be our most informed selves, including the biography Becoming Nicole by Amy Ellis Nutt. I gravitated toward this title because I believe that we can better understand other people by "walking in their shoes" (as my mother would say) and what better way to do that than by reading about a person or people who have walked a different path, in this case the transwoman, Nicole (Nikki) Maines.

The book Becoming Nicole begins with Kelly and Wayne Maines visiting the sonographers office as they look at their two identitical twin boys. As the story progresses you learn about Kelly and Wayne's backstory including that the bio mother of the twins was a cousin of Kelly's who (at 16 years of age) felt unprepared to take on the task of raising twins. Kelly and Wayne decided to adopt the infants and three months later (October 7, 1997) had two beautiful babies in their arms, Jonas and Wyatt.

As they grew into toddlers, the twins started developing their own personalities with Wyatt loving everything Barbie and Jonas gravitating toward Power Rangers. As they continued to grow they both loved acting out stories with Jonas playing the male roles and Wyatt the female roles. As time progressed Wyatt increasingly identified as female, as Nikki  -- this book shares the trials and tribulations of that story. (OK, that was totally oversimplified, but I had to start somewhere.)

I really loved this book. I was expecting something similar to Being Jazz by Jazz Jennings. Nicole and Jazz have similar stories. But what strengthens this book is the author - it was great to have a voice outside the family who could share this story. Nutt really did her homework. She listened to a lot of voices to get this story just right. Additional information is shared in this book that makes Nikki's story more three dimensional - for example there are several chapters on the brain and gender. Also the family's hardships, struggles, and battles endured to secure the rights of all trans kids were well spelled out. This book ends with Nikki's graduation, and her gender-affirming surgery which was her last goal before entering college. 

But the end of the book is NOT the end of Nicole's story. She went to college and has developed an acting career. You can find her splashed across the internet. She has remained a trans activist  - you can find her on Twitter. 

This book is worth the read. I will never be a transwoman. But it was nice to walk in Nikki Maines shoes for a little while and learn about how it feels to be a transperson in school. Walking in others' shoes helps me be the best educator that I can be.

One of my favorite quotes was something Nicole told her father, "Stories move the walls that need to be moved." I hope that people pick up this book and read it and feel their walls move. You can find Becoming Nicole on the shelves of the Nashua Public Library or through Libby in both Ebook and Audiobook formats.

Finally note, there are a ton of resources at the end of this book to delve into if you want more information. 

Book Review: 10 Blind Dates / Ashley Elston

 Merry Christmas vacation. Oh it isn't that time of year? Well, let me tell you, there is not bad time to read this book - it is a bit of a romp.

Sophie is excited for a few hours all to herself - it is something that happens VERY infrequently. Between her senior year in high school, college selection, clubs, and a father who is chief of police and incredibly protective she gets little alone time or time alone with her boyfriend, Griffen. When she calls Griffin to share the good news - he suggests that Sophie joins him at a party. Unfortunately, when she gets there she overhears him talking about how he was looking forward to some time away from her - and the heartbreak begins.

Sophie makes her way to her Nona's and Papa's house - a place where her very large extended family gather and is quickly embraced by her Nona and surrounded with love. But Nona is always scheming and she finds a way to take Sophie's mind off her troubles: 10 blind dates during the Christmas break. AND the blind dates will be set up by members of Sophie's extended family. What could go wrong???

Reading this book is a great little brain vacation for anyone who likes crazy antics, a few laughs, and an escape from studying for exams. This is a story about love - the love of friends, the love of family, the heartbreak of lost love, and finally of just plain luv. 

You can find this book on the shelves of the South Library or check out NPL for audio and ebook options. There is also a companion book, 10 Truths and a Dare which I look forward to reading when I need something light.

Book Review: Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Sometimes there is a right time or a wrong time to read a book. Am I saying that you shouldn't read a book under the covers with a flashlight? Or that you shouldn't sneak it into your math book so you can read the last chapter? Nope!

But here is the truth. I tried to read this book several months ago. I just couldn't. It didn't feel real to me, just a bit much for my senses. I couldn't handle teen angst. I had enough of our day-to-day realism and a bit of painful mythology was too much. I put Cemetery Boys down and walked away.

It kept calling me to read it. No, not in a spooky sense, but several students recommended it. I saw it on lists of books that others had enjoyed. I heard about if from other librarians and read an inticing review. AND I finally had to give in and read it - I am glad that I did. 

This story is a romp through culture and family and community. It is a coming-of-age novel with a serious plot twist - surprising but it doesn't leave you hanging. Here you will find an urban landscape, characters of many stripes and personalities and energy levels. This story is deeply embeded in Latino culture and centers around Day of the Dead celebrations, but there is a trans main character. The story honors family including extended family. But mostly, this book is about finding one's self. 

Favorite quote: "You don't need anyone's permission to be you."

Found on the shelves of the South Library. Also you will find it in audio, ebook, and print editions through the Nashua Public Library.