Written & photographed by: Susan Kuklin
APA citation: Kuklin, S. (2015). Candlewick:
Cover image: http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Magenta-Transgender-Teens-Speak/dp/0763673684/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1461004540&sr=1-1&keywords=beyond+magenta
My summary of the plot: Six young people tell their transgender coming out story. There are a range of parental reactions.
Keywords: transgender, teens, coming out
My assessment: It would be difficult to exaggerate how important this book is. Teens and children are coming out as transgender at an early age. This book would be informational for both a trans teen and their parents. This
Audio review: The audio book was disappointing. The voices weren’t right and no pictures were included.
Citation for audio book: Kuklin, S. Beyond magenta: Transgender teens speak out. [Audio Recording]. Grand Haven, MI: Brilliance Audio.
Review from a library journal:
Gr 9 Up–Extended interviews with six very different transgender, genderqueer, and intersex young adults allow these youth to tell their stories in their own words. Author-interviewer-photographer Kuklin interjects only briefly with questions or explanations, so that the voices of these youth-alternately proud and fearful, defiant and subdued, thoughtful and exuberant-shine through. While the interview subjects do occasionally ramble or become vague, the power of these 12-to-40 page interviews is that readers become immersed in these young adults’ voices and experiences. The youth interviewed here do not uniformly share It Gets Better-style happy endings, but their strength is nonetheless inspirational as they face ongoing challenges with families, sexual and romantic relationships, bullies, schools, transitions, mental health, and more. The level of detail about their lives, and the diversity of their identities-including gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and geography-provide a powerful antidote to the isolation and stigma that some transgender youth experience. Photographs of four of the subjects, including some before-and-after transition pictures from childhood and adolescence, help tell their stories and bring their transitions to life. Extensive back matter includes an interview with the clinical director of a health program for LGBTQI youth, a glossary, and books, media, websites, and organizations of interest to transgender youth. While this book’s format and subject matter are probably never going to attract a broad audience, there is much here that will resonate with and hearten the kids who need it and will foster understanding and support among those who live and work with transgender teens.–Sarah Stone, San Francisco Public Library
Citation for book review: Stone, S. (2014). Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out. School Library Journal, 60(2), 125.
Recommendations for library or classroom use: Every high school and library should own this important book. It would be a great book for a Gay Straight Alliance to use as a book for a book club.
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