This is a great educational read. I feel like this book did a good job at simplifying large, complex topics while also providing cultural and scientific context to better help explain concepts. The artwork also paired really well and this book was able to convey a lot in bit sized information. I’d highly recommend this if you want to learn more about gender or need a quick crash course / intro!

"Gender is Really Strange" written by Teddy G. Goetz and illustrated by Sophie Standing is a part of the "...Really Strange" series and provides an in-depth yet moderately approachable introduction to the complicated subject that is gender. Including multiple citations and sources, "Gender is Really Strange" reminds me of an illustrated research paper that takes the reader through the psychology, sociology, physiology, anatomy, and cultural concepts of gender in the modern era, within history, and across cultures. This latter part really stuck out to me because decolonizing gender is something that is incredibly important within this subject and is often forgotten about.

Now, I read this graphic novel late at night and, if it weren't for the fact that I'm a Transmasc Psychology Grad Student whose research interests revolve around the LGBTQIA2S+ community, I would've easily gotten lost. This isn't a casual read. While "Gender is Really Strange" remains an introductory book to the complicated subject that is gender, I would recommend this more for late teens/early twenties and upwards because of the medical jargon.

Nevertheless, this book is going to become an integral feature of my Trans book collection upon release and I look forward to checking the rest of the previously published "...Really Strange" series.

This is an incredibly beautiful and ACCESSIBLE introduction to how society has formulated the concept of "gender". I really appreciated the intersectionality with racial perspectives, as well as the biology of the matters as well, and the ways these things have all impacted each other in our learning and expression. I would love it if this was required reading in schools, along with the other volumes in the "Really Strange" series, which I will have to check out. I consider myself pretty well-versed as a queer person, but I learned some things from this, which I appreciated. Also, the illustrations are lovely and colourful and comforting.

"Gender is Really Strange" is a graphic novel authored by Teddy G. Goetz, aimed at elucidating the concept of gender for young readers. In just forty succinct pages, it adeptly distinguishes between gender and sex, catering to the understanding of young minds. Particularly for LGBTQ+ youth, this book could serve as a valuable tool for enhancing self-awareness. I extend my gratitude to NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to peruse this work. I look forward to acquiring a copy upon its release.

Gender is really strange is a thoroughly interesting and educational comic exploring the complexities of gender. Accessible and engaging this book looks into the history of gender cultures around the world and across different religions as well as delving into the biological and neuroscientific aspects.
To top it all off, the illustrations and colour palette are beautiful and made this a real pleasure to read.

‘Get ready to break down the binary B.S and celebrate gender in all its messy glory!’

Thanks to the author, Jessica Kingsley publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this thought provoking and important book

Everything was organized in an easy-to-follow manner that reminded me a bit of the DK Eyewitness books. Instead of photos and cutaways we’re treated to the flowing lines soothing palette of Standing’s art supporting Goetz’s small bites of easily digestible information.

This is no small accomplishment, since the book covers concepts from biology (not as binary as you think), neuroscience, and all the myriad social issues and constructs, including a nice dose of queer history.

I like to think I’m fairly well-informed about gender, so I was somewhat surprised by how much new information I found in this book.

This book is an excellent introduction to difficult concepts and a handy resource. I strongly recommend it, particularly to small libraries that may not have the support to invest heavily in materials in the subject.

4⭐

Gender is indeed really strange. I really enjoyed this! It's a short 40 page graphic novel filled with important information about gender and identity.

The art style is really beautiful and vibrant, I really loved it!

I will say when I picked this up I was expecting a bit more of like individual stories based on experiences with gender as a whole, but this read a lot more like a textbook. It has a lot of information and a lot of helpful visuals, it also seemed very well researched and had other sources listed at the back of the book which I appreciated.

I do believe books like these should be required in schools!

In 2023 I've been working my way to becoming a better ally for the LGBTQIA+ community and I do think reading books like this really help me learn new things and get a better understanding.


Thank You Netgalley, Teddy G. Goetz & Jessica Kingsley Pub. for an arc in exchange for an honest review! I really appreciate it!

This was good – loooved the graphic novel style, and that it packed so much information in such a short book! It spent time discussing neuroscience and hormones as well which I was not expecting but very interesting. A great introduction to the gender binary, different gender identities and expression. The author clearly did a lot of research and there are many references for further reading at the end. This should become THE introduction to gender, its so great.

this is a very sweet & important read, but i struggled a bit with the part that deals with “neo-pronouns”, as i still have a hard time wrapping my head around them, as well as autigender and such; i felt like the approach to these topics was too neoliberal-y for my taste. other than that, though, it was definitely a lovely read!

"Gender is Really Strange" by Teddy G. Goetz is a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of the complex and often misunderstood concept of gender. With its engaging illustrations and insightful narrative, the book delves into the nuances of gender identity, expression, and the societal constructs that shape our perceptions.

The book skillfully navigates the reader through a variety of essential topics related to gender, offering a blend of scientific research, personal stories, and historical context. Goetz manages to distill intricate ideas into accessible language without oversimplifying the subject matter. The illustrations by Cory Silverberg complement the text beautifully, making it an even more engaging and visually appealing read.

One of the book's strengths is its ability to tackle the subject of gender with sensitivity and inclusivity. It acknowledges the diversity of gender experiences and identities, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all definition. Goetz skillfully dispels common myths and misconceptions surrounding gender, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the fluidity and complexity inherent in human identity.

The book's only potential limitation is its brevity. Given the complexity of the topic, some readers might wish for a more in-depth exploration of certain aspects. However, it's important to note that the concise nature of the book also contributes to its accessibility, making it an ideal starting point for those who are new to the subject of gender studies.

"Gender is Really Strange" is an excellent resource for individuals seeking to broaden their understanding of gender beyond the binary framework often presented in mainstream society. It challenges readers to question their assumptions and encourages open-mindedness and empathy towards those with diverse gender experiences. Whether you're well-versed in gender studies or just beginning to explore the topic, this book is a valuable addition to any reading list.

In conclusion, Teddy G. Goetz's "Gender is Really Strange" is an enlightening and accessible exploration of gender that invites readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery and societal reflection. It succeeds in fostering a deeper appreciation for the complexities of gender while encouraging inclusivity and understanding.

I enjoy graphic novels and love reading about gender and how complex it is so was intrigued to pick this up. I think the discussions of the social and cultural aspects of gender were well done (though I would've loved some more depth but, now seeing this belongs to a series, I'm guess the focus is more on the science side of things). The neuroscience and hormone stuff was interesting but it felt like what it was saying was said in too many words. I feel like it could've been a tad more accessible but I did get the gist (though I'm not sure how much of that was due to prior reading). Still, I think this is a nice introduction to some ideas around the complexity of gender and how differently people experience it (both now and historically).

Both my middle schooler and I agree that this is a fantastic discussion of gender, what it means, and what it doesn't mean. It's presented in an easy, fun, inclusive way that is accessible to folks of all ages. Highly recommended.

Gender IS Really Strange. A comprehensive easy to understand graphic novel how the social construct of gender came to be and how inaccurate it is. Scientific in it's writing, but easily understood. A great graphic novel for readers who are questioning or those who just want to learn more.

4/5⭐️

I think this is an excellent book for anyone who wants to learn more about gender, whether that be someone from the transgender/genderqueer community who wishes to learn more about their experiences or someone cisgender who wishes to educate themselves.

In a succinct yet colorful and creative format, the authors and illustrators break down the construction gender and sex using biology, society, and other concepts such as white supremacy which many might not think to connect with the concept of gender.

While this is by all means not a comprehensive and complete education on everything about gender, it is a great introduction to the topic in an easy to understand and follow way. It gives you a knowledge basis to build off of if one wishes to continue learning with the more complicated and academic material the book references.

EVERYONE should read this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an open and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is a very informative graphic novel type of book! I love the pictures and all the descriptions, this will be such a great book just for people who are wanting to know more information. Or have questions and don't know how to ask for fear of it being rude. I learned things I didn't know already and I thought I had a pretty decent knowledge on sex, gender, etc.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for allowing me to read an arc of this comic in exchange for an honest review.

Gender is Really Strange by Teddy G.
Goetz is a good introduction to gender and the conversations around it. It is informative and I think it would be helpful to anyone who wants to start their journey in learning more about gender both as an identity and as a social construct. However, as informative as it is, I found it lacking on the comic side of things. I personally did not love the art. It was fine, but nothing as inspiring as the text was. This is fine if they just wanted to add some colorful art to spruce up a book on gender. However, this is pitched as a comic within the summary and I have higher standards for comics. The art is not super eye catching like I would hope for it to be and the paneling was also not quite working. Honestly, this overall felt more like a brochure than comic to me. Which is fine, but that should be reflected in the summary. Well this didn’t hit what I wanted out of the comic art wise, it is never a bad thing to have more information about gender and questioning it out in the world and I am happy it exists.

This was a fantastic short yet comprehensive look at gender. The art was gorgeous and inviting and did a great job of helping the information being shared to shine even more. I especially loved the section on gender in other cultures and learning about all of the different ways that gender has existed throughout the years. I admit, my head started to swim a bit when it got to the more scientific explanations, however even the parts I struggled to understand I found absolutely fascinating. A fantastic read about how gender exists in the world.

I loved this book. It was a great primer into the spectrum of gender and presented in a wonderfully illustrated way. I learned so much reading this book!

This was everything I wanted ‘My Culture, My Gender, Me’ by Cassandra Jules Corrigan to be. This was a dense, comprehensive guide to gender vital to all activists, teachers, and medical professionals. I learnt lots, such as that ‘passing’ is a term co-opted from people of colour and that ‘external legibility’ is a good alternative.

I also loved TNG (trans, non-binary, and/or gender expansive) as a term. I’ve never heard it before but gender expansive is SUCH a stunning term.

This was such an interesting and informative read. Gender Is Really Strange is a very short but info-packed graphic novel. I really liked the artstyle and the way it was written. I do kind of wish that this had been a little longer, because while this seems to be more of an introduction to the topic of gender, I feel like it would have benefited from more detail in places.