4.5 Stars

I really like that this book, instead of talking about trans people, is allowing trans people to speak for themselves. This is such an important thing to have and I am glad it exists! However, the interviews were so brief that I felt it did each person a disservice. I totally understand the time and length constraints but I just feel like the interviewees didn't feel as much like individuals because of the brevity. That being said, I appreciate that Juno Roche included interviews with kids of all ages (plus some adults and parents too!).

I think this is a great starting point for people (especially parents of trans kids) who are at a bit of a loss as to what to do or how to act.

I have possibly never cried while reading a non-fiction more than I cried while reading this one.

The bravery of the people interviewed, children living their truth and taking the time to share their own stories, the guidance and love given by the people in their lives.

All threaded together beautifully by Juno Roche in a book that was both eye opening, heartwarming and heartbreakingly honest.

A wonderful exploration of Gender with essays and thoughts from people with varied experiences and perspectives

I remember when people were raving about Beyond Magenta, but I was so underwhelmed by that book. This is the book I wanted to read then! Trans kids talking about their experiences in an open and honest way is the book we need right now with the current political climate in the U,S.

I received an arc of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

In this present time when trans children are seen as a debate and their rights to healthcare, sports, bathrooms, and simply existing are constantly under attack, on both sides of the Atlantic... how refreshing it is to have a book where trans children just simply are. This book isn’t a polemic, it’s simply a positive space where they can speak for themselves.

The heart of this book is interviews with children from across the trans spectrum, from the very young to older teens. They have many different experiences, many different perspectives of their gender, and many different levels of support. Through asking simple questions like “If you could have a superpower what would it be?” and “What do you want to do when you leave school?” Juno Roche manages to capture a wonderfully wide range of viewpoints.

As well as the interviews, the author reflects on their own experiences and their attempts to come out as their feminine self “Pansy” as a child in the 1970s, and ends the book with an imagine interview with Pansy. It’s a nice reflection on what many trans readers, myself included, take away from many of the interviews: what if we had had the support and resources that many trans children have now, when we were children? I’m glad Roche leans into, rather than shies away from, that sense of wistful envy many of us have towards trans children today, as difficult as they may have it.

I think this book can be a worthwhile read for a whole range of people who will each get something out of it. Read it if you’ve never encountered a trans child and aren’t entirely sure what to make of the whole thing. Read it if you’re a trans child yourself. Read it if you’re a parent whose child is telling you they’re trans. Read it if you’re a trans adult. I definitely foresee this becoming one of the books I recommend first to people who want to read their first trans books.

I devoured Gender Explorers in a couple of days. Juno Roche shares candid interviews with individuals and their experiences with gender identities.

As a teacher, I found these interviews informative, as most of the interviews were with children from ages 5 - 16 and they shared their experience of coming out as trans or gender fluid within their family and friendship circles and with school.

This text would be so helpful for a variety of different people, those that are trans or are gender explorers; those that are parents or family members of those that are transitioning; teachers, care workers; everyone....literally, everyone.

The book also features a handy support directory at the end.

While I love what this book gives to the trans and non-binary community, I wish that the interviews were longer and maybe fewer? I think hearing from other trans folx is important because this world can be so lonely, and it's good to know that you aren't alone in your feelings, but some of these questions got a bit repetitive. The concept of this book is wonderful though, and I think anyone who considers themself an ally should pick it up.

There are so many hateful voices around the world today that would tell us allowing a child to change their gender and express themselves in nontraditional ways is 'child abuse,' but I don't know anyone who could agree with that after reading through these interviews. Everyone just wants to be seen.

The interview questions are age-appropriate and well-documented. This is an important resource for people to learn how trans and gender fluid children and teens feel and experience the social world around them and should be read by everyone regardless of their own gender identity, i.e. trans, cis, gender fluid, non-binary, etc.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book to read and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Content warning due to talk of suicide. I truly love this book!! I don't read a lot of non fiction but this is a life changing read that I highly recommend even if you're not gender non-conforming or trans. I cried and smiled while reading this because as a Genderfluid person I relate so much to these kids&young adults. I wish I had known at a younger age what I know now at 25. I feel very valid after reading about so many people experiencing the same things I did. I know for sure I wouldn't have been able to express my emotions as well as they did back at ages 5-18.

This book is such an important and powerful collection of stories and advice from trans people of all ages. Being a cis woman myself, it's crucial that I listen to trans voices, not only to understand their journey and difficulties, but also to be a good ally in the future. I loved Juno Roche's style of interview and how empathetic they were with the people being interviewed. Also think it was very important and beautiful that this book was written by a trans person, since it seems like cis people are always trying to take these opportunities from people from the LGBT community. Every single person could read this book and take something from it for their own life. I highly recommend it!

Gender Explorers is a collection of interviews that the author did with trans* kids and young adults, and some of their parents at trans youth groups (Mermaids and Gendered Intelligence). It also includes an introduction and an afterword where the author talks about their own experience as a trans* person.

I was very moved by this book and teared up several times while reading. Both the kids and their parents talk openly and in a vulnerable way about their experiences. The interviewees include kids from the age of 5 to young adults in their early twenties.

What hit me hard was how happy and fluid many of the children's experience had been. Though many also talked about the bullying and external challenges they faced in coming out, there were so many who felt their school and their parents and their friends had been supportive from the start. It's wonderful to hear this since it indicates that the world is changing. A few times the author noted how they felt both happy and proud of these children but also a bit jealous. I thought these emotions were well-explored. Generally, the author seemed very kind and patient in the interviews and interviewed the children at their own pace.

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They want their present, their now, to be positive and happy rather than having to close their eyes and dream about a future in which they might get to run away and become themselves. As I did. Dreaming for years about being the me that no one could see.
(page 18 (in arc))
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I'm not trans* which means I'll never fully know how the experience of questioning your gender identity is. But to be able to support trans* people, the most important actions to take (imo) is to educate yourself, and boost and listen to others' experiences. I think this book is a wonderful resource in listening and understanding the trans* experience in our modern society. Because times are changing, and queer identities are getting more and more needed recognition. Though there are still TERFs out there I think a big takeaway from this book is hope. Hope for the future.

(this happiness and hope is of course also a result of the interviews taking place where they do. I think it's right to assume that most people who seek out these groups are people with support and confidence in their identities.)

I was amazed to read such young people's understanding of themselves and how much their lives changed when they were allowed to be themselves. It was also extremely emotional to read the parents' interviews, where they expressed their fears, the way they handled their young children coming out (mostly well, but some people had regrets), and how they sought support and educated themselves.

Overall, this is a very powerful book that I think everyone should read.

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What's it like when people ask you questions all the time?

Trans teen: It feels really invalidating. [...] I'm not sure it's really their fault, but it's embarrassing and invalidating even if they feel like they are validating me. It feels like I'm constantly having to prove and convince people that I'm valid and that I am who I am.
(page 163 (in arc))
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An uplifting read that was informative and respectful. I'm not trans myself but my sibling is trans and although it might not have been the resolution for them when they were younger it is certainly the case that many behaviours were similar. I wish for their sake that the world had been more open at that time in their life so they could have explored other routes. I will certainly bear this in mind if I ever become a mother - the importance of a supportive family is crucial as this book makes very clear. If you have any doubts about hormone blockers or "phases" I urge you to read this book, put yourself in the shoes of these children and teens and dare you to take away their chances of happiness.

I received an ARC of this book thanks to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

I did not know what to expect going into this book. I knew it was a collection of nonfiction interviews with trans teens, but I was not aware that it also included interviews with their parents and also trans children as young as 5. Now I am fairly 'woke' as the kids say-my partner is trans, almost no one in my closest friendship circle is cis or straight so I am fairly aware of at least a few examples of trans experiences. However, even I was taken aback at the thought of a 5 year old who identified as trans. And that is precisely why this book is needed. I quickly realised my discomfort was entirely due to lack of exposure. Every trans person I know talks of knowing they were trans at a young age. Why should it be surprising kids at a young age know they are trans?

This book was amazing for so many reasons beyond simple education. Never before have I read so many POSITIVE narratives of coming out as trans, of being accepted by parents and peers alike. Is this a universal experience? No, of course not. But it was so lovely to hear that some kids do come out and their parents try hard and as a result, they have a positive experience and live without the fear of not being accepted. This is a story rarely told and it needs to be. It doesn't undermine the negative experiences but instead could offer hope to a child struggling with the decision to live as their true selves.

I genuinely think every parent should read this book. Regardless whether your kid is trans or not, this book had so many meaningful quotes from parents that I think apply to many scenarios. I'm going to include some of my favourites below but be aware I did read an unfinished ARC so I can't speak for the final version.

'You never get a second chance at a first reaction. Put unconditional love first. Anything else can be worked out later.'

'It's not about you, it's only about the child.'

'That's not an easy life. Why would anyone choose it unless there was no other way?' (about being trans being seen as a phase)

'If people stopped making 'trans' such a big decision, it would have made my decision easier and more valid.'

The kids had plenty of important things to say as well which I'm sure will resonate with many people, but personally for me it was the parents that both surprised and stuck with me. I know the trans people in my life are amazing but sadly the stories of accepting parents are harder to find. Maybe this book will be tough to read if you are trans and your parents/family are not so accepting, but overall this book just filled me with joy. As I said, I think all parents should read it and honestly all people. We can all always learn more and own voices books are the places to start.

Overall Rating: 5/5 stars

In Gender Explorers, Juno Roche interviews trans amd gender nonconforming children and teens, as well as some of their parents and carers. The interviews take place at trans youth groups run by Mermaids and Gendered Intelligence, and cover a range of different ages and gender identities. The interviews are left in interview form, rather than being rewritten into prose, with all identifying information removed.

I really liked this book. Roche talks to the kids on their level, and lets them talk about their identities and journeys in their own words. The thing that stuck out the most for me was that these children just want to be happy. They talk about making their own rules, rather than following societies gender norms, and when asked what being trans feels like, what it's like going to school as their gender rather than what was assigned to them, they say that it feels normal, that it feels right. This book really highlights that having the freedom to explore your gender, whether that means breaking gender norms, socially transitioning, or even, in the case of older children and teenagers, beginning a physical transition, lets people live truthfully and free, and helps them to avoid the secrecy and depression that often comes with coming out as trans later in life. Hearing from supportive parents and caregivers about how they looked after their children really brought tears to my eyes. We also get to read the author's personal story, which is utterly heartbreaking. Children deserve so much better than having their gender identity and expression forced out of themselves, leaving them to live a life of shame and sadness.

This book comes from an incredibly important perspective; the trans and gender nonconforming children themselves, and the people closest to them. Again and again, parents talked about how their children had become visibly happier and more confident when allowed to live truthfully, doing better both at home and in school. The most important message this book gives is that we need to listen to trans and gender nonconforming children when they speak to us. We need to trust that they know themselves better than anyone else, and we need to believe them when they tell us their truth. And we need to be ok with experimentation. If a child is free to be whoever they are, and has the freedom to explore their identity, they will make the right decisions for themselves. This book also gives a perspective that the media often ignores in favour of sensationalism. There are real children behind all of the politics and policies and fighting. There are real children who are being hurt, because our media would rather a sensationalist headline.

I encourage you to read this book, whoever you are. Reading these children's stories might help parents and teachers to put aside their prejudices and show love first, and support the trans kids in their lives.

Juno Roche’s style of interview is very empathetic and open with the transgender youth. The questions are both insightful and often fun–asking youth what superpower they would like to have and what they would do with their power. The children themselves had advice for their peers and were often humorous.

I enjoyed reading the thoughts of parents. It was surprising in a wonderful way to see how they supported and uplifted their children. The genuine joy and kindness with which the parents saw their children was so uplifting to read in these trying times.

I think that this was a positive, uplifting read and would thoroughly recommend it to any transgender person or any parent to a transgender child.

As someone who is also trans, I enjoyed reading about others who had explored their gender identity. Would recommend to other trans people looking for understanding or catharsis.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. A full review will be posted on Amazon and Goodreads

Gender Explorers is a collection of interviews with young trans people, in which they talk about their experiences of their everyday lives, their gender, coming out, school, and their aspirations for the future. Ranging from primary age children to young people who've left school, the interviews give an insight into how life is for trans children in the modern age. Some are accompanied by interviews with the parent who accompanied the children to the support meetings where Roche conducted the interviews, but it is always centred around the experiences of the trans person in question. Roche terms these trans children 'gender explorers' as a way of highlighting the freedom to explore and be themselves, rather than be forced into a particular box.

This book feels very important in the current climate as a way of sharing the voices of trans children and young adults in a way that tries to protect them, seeing as all of the interviews are anonymous. Roche's interview style (the interviews are structured to show who is talking and include the questions as well as answers) is empathetic and adjusts depending on the age of the interviewee in a way that feels authentic and allows for different focuses. A theme that arises from the collection is one of happiness: being able to explore gender or be treated in the way that they want to be treated brings happiness to these young people's lives, and though there are struggles both discussed in the interviews and suggested under the surface, Roche always returns to asking for messages that they'd give to someone else who was in a similar situation and these messages are about kindness, positivity, and acceptance.

There have been some collections of essays and insights into the lives of adult trans people, but it feels groundbreaking to have a collection of the insights of young trans people that isn't trying to then analyse what they say, but let their words speak for themselves. This isn't a book looking for a single experience, but a way of opening people's eyes to children's lives and what can be done to support them. It definitely should be read by parents and anyone who works with children, but also people who are looking understand different experiences or feel heartened for the future.

This is a beautifully curated collection of interviews with children and young people who identify as trans or non binary. There are also interviews with their parents/guardians.

It was really interesting to hear from children how they came to identify as trans or enby. It's definitely a group of voices that aren't heard from much.

The parents/guardians were so open and honest about the joy and the pain they felt watching their children's journeys.

As someone who doesn't have many people identifying as trans or enby around me and as someone who works with children and young people this felt essential reading for me.

*I received an advance copy of this ebook from Netgalley in return for an honest review*

4.5 stars

This is a fantastic collection of interviews completed by trans, gender fluid, and nonbinary children and teens, adults, and - at times - their parents.

In the introduction, Roche discusses personal experiences with identity, feelings of acceptance and being oneself, and both internal and external struggles. The vast majority of the work centers on two groups of interviewees, and Roche is the one to conduct all of the Q&A. Each respondent offers personal insight into their experiences at school, at home, and in the world at large. What's striking is how uncomplicated the respondents' answers are; they're just living their lives. When readers get expressions of angst or more in-depth conversations about pain, acceptance, and ongoing struggle, it always comes from the parents or the adult mentors. I love how clearly delineated these responses are since the overwhelming messaging is that regardless of the external obstacles they face, a person who lives as themselves is going to be happier and more functional in every way than a person who lives by others' expectations of who they are supposed to be. This sounds obvious, but I think the repetition of this pattern and message is one of the strengths of this collection as a whole.

The one space where I would have liked to see more is in the final notes. There are resources listed - which is essential - but some final impressions and reiterations there from Roche to round out the conversation would be ideal.

Overall, this is a compelling collection of insights from generally young gender explorers (as Roche terms the subjects). I'll absolutely be recommending this widely to students and everyone I know: especially, in my case, other folks working in academic spaces where we can impact individuals' feelings of safety and acceptance in more obvious ways.