By Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings
Illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
Herthel, Jessica, et al. I am Jazz! Dial Books for Young Readers, 2014.
Lexile Level: AD300L
Grades: 1st-5th
Domain: Affective
Summary:
This book was written by a young girl named Jazz along with co-author, Jessica Herthel. Jazz was born a boy but ever since she could remember, she has always felt like a girl. Jazz explains what transgender means as well as her experience being a transgender teen. Jazz is one of the first teens to speak out about being transgender.
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.2: Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 (grades 3 and 4) topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Goal:
Students will understand what transgender means.
Students understand, appreciation and respect every person regardless of their differences.
Objective:
Students will know the definition of gender, and gender identity.
Students will understand what it means to be transgender.
Outcome:
Students will recognize what parts of them make them you they are.
Students will create a poem identifying who they are.
Procedure:
After reading I am Jazz!, explain the definition of gender and gender identity. Then ask the students the following questions:
Jazz is transgender. What does it mean to be transgender?
What are some of the ways that Jazz sees herself?
What are some of the ways that others see Jazz?
How’s Jazz feeling when people give make fun of her?
Engage the students in a whole class discussion as they think of answers to the questions. Ask the students to think about what parts of them make them who they are. The students will then create a poem identifying the parts of themselves that make them who they are.
Additional Resource:
Video of Jazz Jennings reading her book.
https://youtu.be/h1pw77FyTvQ
There is also a tv series on TLC about Jazz and her experiences.
Selling tool:
What does it mean to be transgender?
This is an autobiographical story is about a transgender youth, Jazz. Jazz explains what it means to be transgender and what her experiences have been trying to get the world to understand who she is. Perfect way to start conversations about gender and gender identity with young children.
A 2015 Rainbow List Selection
"All young people—regardless of difference—deserve the things Jazz shares in her lovely book: a loving family, supportive friends, and the freedom to be their true selves. A beautifully illustrated and accessible primer on one trans girl's journey of living her truth."—Janet Mock, New York Times bestselling author of Redefining Realness
"I wish I had had a book like this when I was a kid struggling with gender identity questions. I found it deeply moving in its simplicity and honesty."—Laverne Cox, acclaimed actress and transgender advocate
"Jazz is a sensitive and courageous young woman. Her story is inspiring and important to read. By sharing her experiences and view she has added to our understanding and compassion for the transgender experience."—Barbara Walters
"A terrific and timely book that explains to kids what it means to be transgender and—more importantly—that reminds kids our similarities are much more important than our differences."—Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of The Storyteller and Between the Lines
What does it mean to be transgender?
This is an autobiographical story is about a transgender youth, Jazz. Jazz explains what it means to be transgender and what her experiences have been trying to get the world to understand who she is. Perfect way to start conversations about gender and gender identity with young children.
A 2015 Rainbow List Selection
"All young people—regardless of difference—deserve the things Jazz shares in her lovely book: a loving family, supportive friends, and the freedom to be their true selves. A beautifully illustrated and accessible primer on one trans girl's journey of living her truth."—Janet Mock, New York Times bestselling author of Redefining Realness
"I wish I had had a book like this when I was a kid struggling with gender identity questions. I found it deeply moving in its simplicity and honesty."—Laverne Cox, acclaimed actress and transgender advocate
"Jazz is a sensitive and courageous young woman. Her story is inspiring and important to read. By sharing her experiences and view she has added to our understanding and compassion for the transgender experience."—Barbara Walters
"A terrific and timely book that explains to kids what it means to be transgender and—more importantly—that reminds kids our similarities are much more important than our differences."—Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of The Storyteller and Between the Lines
