I thought this book was fine, though I am a cisgender lady so I am not the target audience. Mainly I read the book before purchasing it for my library since it's about gender & sexual identity. The previous teen librarian really amped up that section so I wasn't sure if it would bring anything new to the table. Additionally, sometimes the content of puberty books is more for the middle school collection vs the high school collection and I just like to check 'em out if I can. The cover art is real nice too, especially alongside This Book is Gay. I think it is a very well done and age appropriate introduction into "the T."

Writer and activist Juno Dawson has revisited her idea of a manual to answer questions for teens about LGBTQIA+ topics. Dawson also wrote This Book Is Gay, orignally under the name James Dawson, now with a revised and updated edition under the name Juno Dawson and with an introdcution by David Levithan. This time she has gathered stories from real teens about their experiences, information about the "full spectrum of gender identity," and Soofiya Andry has created humorous illustrations that are sprinkled throughout the book. There is a special chapter for parents and caregivers, a chapter on organizations to contact for support, as well as a glossary, references, and a list for further reading.

Juno makes a statement early in the book; "I am not here to sell you a Transgender Package...I don't know why you're reading this book." She mentions several possible reasons including curiosity, support for a transgender friend or family member, seeing the book on display in a store, or because you have questions about your own gender. The explanations and examples she gives in the book are geared to answer the questions of readers, whatever their reasons.

The first part of the book deals with identity (including gender identity), a brief mention of some trans figures from the past hundred years or so, a look at some scientific studies, and a chart of how genders are identified in various cultures around the world. The second part discusses coming out, problems that are encountered in various aspects of life, medical questions, love and romance, and legal issues. Before each chapter is a profile of someone from the "Transgender Hall of Fame" like Ayla Holdom (UK police force helicopter pilot) and Hanne Gaby Odiele (top fashion model).

This book is for young adults due to the language and topics included, as well as for adults who live or work with young adults. It is written as if the reader is having an open and honest conversation about a difficult topic with someone more knowledgeable. That will probably also be what causes many people to disapprove of the book. As the title of chapter 8 says, "The problem is other people." Like many other books recently, this one will probably garner a lot of criticism and pushback, but perhaps it will have the chance to help some YA readers who are very confused and don't know where to turn for information.

This is such an important read and one I think everybody should pick up and read about. I really appreciated the honesty

Juno Dawson wrote a great book on Being Transgender/Gender nonconforming for young adults. As a cis woman, I learned a lot even though the book is really written by and for trans people. I hope more people will read it since Dawson gives a great basis of information as well as resources for those questioning their gender, transitioning or those who want to help them!

Thank you to Netgalley & Sourcebooks Fire for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly, I have followed Juno Dawson for years and have always appreciated how honest and real she is with her audience. "What's the T?" doesn't stray away from this honesty and does not only describe Juno's personal experience with her transition but works to educate on gender issues as a whole.
The positives for this book are that even I who consider myself to be an ally to all genders learned a lot, whereas I didn't initially think I had much more to learn. Juno's tone is always lighthearted and engaging, even though at times the book borders into a research/dissertation feel, it is still an easy read and doesn't just feel like flat facts and figures. The book is also beautifully laid out and designed throughout with lovely illustrations.
Unfortunately, near the end of the book, it does borderline a bit too much on maybe being just a string of information which probably won't be for a lot of readers.
However overall this is a great resource for people dealing with gender questions as well as those around them who may need some additional support themselves.

This was a great, informative guide to all things trans/queer. I really appreciated the descriptions, and I think this would be so helpful for people just starting to figure out their own or begin understanding the identity of their loved ones.

An invitingly informative and light-hearted (but by no means lesser for it) introduction to trans identities and particulars, written with pointed and well-organized pithiness in order to be as plain as possible to trans and cis people alike. In turn inspiring, instructing, advocating and assuaging, What's the T? is an important (if abridged) text that's put together with anyone interested in learning the basics of the topic for whatever purpose - or looking for a primer if they or a loved one have just arrived at being trans themselves - in mind as an audience, an all-inclusive intention that it implements with infectuous liveliness and affirming implicational awareness.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for kindly passing on this ARC! 💫

A well-written and accessible book that will be so vital for sharing experiences and educating others. I learned much from reading this as an adult — an educational guide for youth, as well, and a book for creating spaces of welcome.