Candice Pistolesi
Final Project TE 448
Upon starting this project I was not sure what to expect or how it was going to go. At first I was not sure what diverse group I wanted to do my project on, and finally I picked transgender to be my focus. I was at the library for a good hour plus some trying to pick out the books I was going to use for the project. I had a very helpful Liberian who helped me find about 10-15 books to chose from. It was hard for me to choose just three books because they all looked like books I would find interesting as well as beneficial to read. I ended up choosing Luna, Parrot Fish and Grl2Grl. These books have opened my eyes to the world of transgender teens, a world that I never knew. Each book was similar, but also different. Each character was transitioning, but each in a different way with different circumstances surrounding the story, such as parents approval, acceptance at school, friends, their future, etc. The literature I have found on transgenders, I believe are good pieces of literature. Even for those who are not transgender to relate to because they experience the same thing most young adult’s face, just in a different context. Each book taught me something different about transgenders, how they feel inside, what makes them feel this way, how they go about changing themselves, etc. Each book allowed me to fall into the life of these teens and feel compassion, feel hurt and feel anger for them. The way they were treated, the way they felt about themselves, simply because they felt they could not be themselves. The books each contain characters that are relatable to anyone who is struggling with their identity. Each character is going through something different, but all focused on becoming and being free from themselves and being a transgender. Within the books I have read, I noticed each had similar strengths; they all portrayed the character becoming transgender in a positive light, where they had support from at least one or more person’s surrounding them. I liked that the books were written this way, because even though they were shed in a positive light, there were still negative aspects they had to face. I felt this was realistic, and instances that actually occur. Making it easier for readers to understand and relate. Some areas of weaknesses within the books I noticed were they seemed to be focused toward only young adults, but within the books the characters knew from a young age that they were transgender or belonged to a different identity that the one they were born with. So I wonder if that is included in these books, should there be some pieces of literature aimed towards those of a younger status?
I am so grateful for reading these books and know that one day I would like to have books like this within my classroom depending on what grade level I have. They are diverse books that many students can understand and relate to, because we all go through tough times, and we all question who we are in one way or another. One part within one of the books I chose, Luna there was a ‘scene’ that I felt was all too familiar for many. Luna was upset and felt the world could not accept her, so why should she accept her, why should she go on and almost ended her life. Many young teens have felt or feel this same way and some have taken it all the way to ending their lives. This to me is 100% preventable, and if one person’s life can be changed by reading these books, than that is something, because I know that mine has.
Luna by Julie Anne Peters
Luna is a book about a girl whose brother is becoming a female. His real name is Liam and he has known he was a girl ever since he could remember. Growing up, he has tried to tell his parents that he is a girl and wants to be treated like one. Although, this story is told from Regan’s point of view, Luna’s younger sister. For Regan it feels like her life is all about Luna. At night is the only time when Luna comes out, waking Regan up night after night to put on makeup and try on dresses. She is two different people. A boy, Liam during the day and a girl, Luna at night. Regan’s life takes a turn as well when she catches the attention of a boy named Chris. They are lab partners and end up dating, although Regan is hesitant because she is afraid of what might happen to Luna. Luna’s secret though seems more then Regan can handle as she “checks out” often and people seem to notice, “My brother was a black hole in my universe. He was sucking the life right out of me. It seemed as if I was being pulled into this crater by a force I couldn’t fight. Liam was already down there. We were together at the bottom” (page 117.) Luna and Regan share a friend named Aly; she has no idea that Liam is really Luna, and has feelings for Liam. Liam decides that he cannot keep his secret from her any longer and tells her, much to Regan’s dismay. The relationship between Liam, Regan and their parents is a bit strained, they don’t have much in common and the conversations are forced rather than flowing. The mother who deep down knows Liam’s secret, pretends to not know, and ‘ignore it.’ While the father has no idea but senses something and begins pushing Liam to do things he does not want to, things that boys “should” do. Luna does take a stand for herself, and become who she finally wants to be, free. I enjoyed this book and felt that it shed light on every aspect of what a person who is becoming a transgender is dealing with. Told from the sister’s point of view we see someone who is on the inside, but really the outside telling the story. I enjoyed how detail was paid on what Regan was going through as well, but Luna was always the center of the story. This book fits in with diverse literature as it is a rare look into the life of a transgender. The story itself is very diverse as not many people are transgender, or open about it and this is a book that those experiencing this, can relate to. It is a book that opens your eyes to what it is really like for those who are becoming transgender, both physically and emotionally. I thought that the book ended abruptly and more information could have been shed to ‘wrap up’ the end of Luna. From an insider’s point of view Luna is a book that many can relate to. Even those not transgender because of the story line and different experiences that the characters go through; humor, embarrassment, excitement, love, many different and challenging emotions. There is a little bit of everything, it is after all set in high school.
Grl2Grl by Julie Anne Peters
Grl2Grl, a book containing a collection of about ten short stories all focused on lesbian and transgender (female to male) relationships. Each story is different than the next and each one keeps you intrigued. Although even though the stories are each different from one another, they do contain some similarities as each story has a focus on one girl who is dealing with an issue or love, becoming a transgender or coming out. The stories are told on a deep and personal level, with intimate details and dark emotions that these girls are going through. One of the stories included some graphic material this was called, “Stone Cold Butch.” Other stories names include, Passengers, Can’t Stop the Feeling, After Alex, Outside/Inside, On the Floor, Abstinence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder, Boi, TIAD and Two-Part Invention. The stories each contained a girl who was trying to deal with her life either being lesbian or transgender in a way that made her happy, although at most times that was not the case, they could not achieve their happiness in its entirety because of others disapproval, and their own self-esteem. As the character Cam reflects in the story, “Stone cold butch. That’s me. Dead. Inanimate. Object. You could take a sledgehammer to me, crack me down the middle, and all you’d find inside would be dirt. You wouldn’t want to get your hands dirty. Don’t break me” (page 118.) This girl was feeling this way because she was transgender and being sexually abused at home, all aspects of her life were being affected. Many of the stories are similar to this in which we see what is going on with each girl, depression, love, first sexual experiences, changing from female to a male through clothes and/or ‘appendages.’ As well as how their lives and others are affecting who they are. This book was enjoyable to read, I enjoyed the collection of short stories, they were quick and easy reads but with powerful and meaning full messages. The characters seemed real and each dealt with an issue that many young adults deal with, honest issues. This book is most definitely a piece of diverse literature as each story has a different person, a different reason for what they are going through, something that is ‘non-traditional’ or ‘ab-normal’ to most people. This book is one that many can relate to, even those whom are not transgender or lesbian. Because many young adults experience depression, as well as figuring out who they are and what that means to them. Especially for those who are trying to find themselves and be happy with who they are identifying with. One thing I question within this book though is why lesbian and transgender were placed within the same book with similar stories. I believe this might be because in some of the stories the girl was a lesbian and then came out as a transgender, sort of easing her way into her new identity, something that I believe each one of us has done in some form or another.
Parrot Fish by Ellen Wittlinger
Parrot Fish is a book about a young girl who is transitioning and becoming a male, he is a transgender. Her birth name is Angela. Since becoming a male she changed her name to Grady, explaining that it is a name that can be either a male or female, “It’s a name that could belong to either gender, I said, Also, I like that gray part of it- you know, not black, not white. Somewhere in the middle” (page 6.) As Grady goes in his new life, many things change. His once best friend only talks to him outside of school because of his change and thinks that this is okay and Grady should understand that this is because he has become a transgender. His mom, sister and brother are having trouble adjusting to Grady’s new change, but Grady’s father is supportive of his new life. He has changed to be who he wants to be and walks into school expecting everyone to call him Grady and to treat him like the boy he has always been. The book is not over dramatic at all, no parents that throw their child out or disown them, somewhat of a ‘utopia’ with this change with no super dramatic scenes, no one being beat up or bullied excessively. Although I think that this is refreshing and a book that those who are transgender can relate to and feel good about themselves after reading, even though their society might not be at this level yet, it gives hope to those who feel one day they can be accepted without any ridicule. Grady makes new friends after his transition. Friends he thought he would not have anything in common with, especially the school “geek” who enlightens him on how a Parrot Fish changes gender when they need to. This really brings him to a new place in his life, and what he is really looking for when he finally becomes who he has always known to be. For many who are looking for a book that does have a happy ending in a world where most transgender’s hide their true self their entire life because of what the world will say, this is the book for you. A book that is a diverse piece of literature, a book that many will find they will not be able to put it down, I know I had trouble. This book is a good piece of literature, a good piece of diverse literature, and although there is a ‘utopia’ feeling for the book, there are still instances where Grady feels alone and that being himself is not okay, this is relatable for many young adults, even those non-transgender.
To most of us, gender comes as naturally as breathing. We have no quarrel with the "M" or the "F" on our birth certificates. And, crash diets aside, we've made peace with how we want the world to see us--pants or skirt, boa or blazer, spiky heels or sneakers. But to those who consider themselves transgender, there's a disconnect between the sex they were assigned at birth and the way they see or express themselves” (Rosenberg, 2007.) As well as explaining transgender and gender identity the articles focuses on some people who became transgender, either male to female or female to male. All different types of people, including race car drivers, teachers, newscasters, journalists, etc. This article enlightens you as to what many transgender people must go through and how many states and companies are now stepping up to protect them and their rights within the work field and society. The US House of Representatives has passed a bill including gender identity within the hate crime prevention bill, as stated in the article. I felt that this article included very useful information and instances where people transitioned from their gender they were born with to what they felt and knew they always were and that this was a good way to fully understand transgender and gender identity. I enjoyed reading the article; each new paragraph gave me new information on gender identity and transgenders. Information that is critical to I believe all the in world, so we realize that people who become transgenders are dealing with it from the inside, and this information being known could prevent many negative connotations that people associate with transgenders. Strengths included the information and cases presentenced, allowing the reader to really learn and understand gender identity and transgenders. Weaknesses included not including those who were used as cases and examples within the story, their personal feelings or what they went through could have been useful to the readers. Overall this article was very enlightening and pleasant to read. I have learned so much and this article allowed me to fully understand what gender identity is, and what transgenders really mean. They are the same as everyone else and deserve the same treatment and that is both inside and out.
