2020 ALA Alex Award Winner
2020 Stonewall — Israel Fishman Non-fiction Award Honor Book
Gender Queer is the most recent news-headlining story about the widespread banning of a title. Published in 2019, it became a banned book rather quickly.
The author is asexual (doesn’t experience sexual attraction toward either gender) as well as non-binary (gender identity neither strictly female nor strictly male.) For that reason, the author will be referred to as “em,” “eir,” and “e” in this review. These are eir preferred pronouns; if you find that confusing, perhaps that can help you empathize with the author a bit.
Kobabe relates eir experience throughout childhood and adolescence of someone who not only felt e didn’t fit in, but was confused as to why. The artwork in the graphic novel is masterful: it pulls the eye along seamlessly, and poignantly depicts eir happiness when with accepting folks, and eir confusion, pain, and panic in less ideal situations.
The book has been banned for content: mentioned openly are monthly periods, genitalia, self-pleasuring, and gynecological visits.
The reader gets the sense, by the final page, that Kobabe has found some peace in simply relating eir personal experience. However, there is no sense of actual, serene closure, as the pain of being viewed as “different” must still be dealt with on a daily basis.
I encourage you to read Gender Queer; the well-read human is an informed, compassionate neighbor, citizen, and voter.
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As a true librarian will always tell you: it’s okay if you don’t think your child is ready for, or in fact, should ever read this book. It’s definitely not okay for you to make that call for everyone’s child.
Did you know that Winchester has its very own banned book club? Mason’s Banned Book Club meets at 1 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. We are currently meeting at Gaunce’s Deli and Café.
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