Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin

Reviewed by Yusmibel L.
Grade 10

Beyond Magenta - Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin was an informative and perspective-challenging experience. Each section was thoughtfully written and the book contains a thorough explanation of its sources and the journey taken to create it. Although I felt quite positively about the book, each portion of it wasn’t equally enjoyable. It was easier to connect with some individual’s thoughts more than others. Despite this it definitely would provide a different experience to connect for every reader.

The book stars 6 teens--Jessy, Christina, Mariah, Cameron, Nat, and Luke. Each story was mostly written in a loose interview with an introspective take on their childhood. They all somewhat include the discovery of their gender, their personal and family relationships, and challenges they experienced throughout their life . Although these people identify as transgender, they each have vastly different experiences. Half of the participants fall within the binary of male or female; the other half fall somewhere between those two lines.

Quite possibly the best part of the book was the style in which it was written. It was easy to read. All of these people have vastly different relationships with their gender identity. Each ‘chapter’ reflects this by having a different flair to it customized by each subject. With a special distinction made with Luke’s chapter, his story is written more as a play to express his involvement in theatre and the arts. His chapter is also where the book gets its name. 

The comparison between each segment was subtle at points but gave some insight into the style and personality of each person that the writing couldn't. The use of photographs throughout the story helped create a connection between the contributors of the book. Although the book has some relevant resources in the final chapter of the book, some bits of the book do reveal it as somewhat dated. Although I feel this doesn’t detract much from the value of the book, it’s to be noted it interchangeably uses transsexual and transgender. Neither of these terms are inherently wrong in their meaning. However, transsexual can be considered a more specific term under the transgender umbrella. Transexual can also be considered an offensive term for some and has gone out of popular use in 2018. It also includes the term metrosexual, another term that has fallen in popularity and use.

Beyond Magenta is a part of the ALA’s top 10 most challenged books of 2021 for its LQBTQIA+ content and because it’s considered sexually explicit. Although both of these are characteristics of the book, they are both crucial to the book’s message and informative nature. Written in a subheading labeled “nut’s and bolts” in the Authors' note, Kuklin states the basic plan of the book was to write non-fiction about sex and alienation. 

Although the book is in part somewhat outdated, it’s written about a complex and evolving subject. I cannot step into the shoes of my transgender friends and, although I know some of their experience, I’m somewhat ignorant on the subject. I don’t know the nuance of their relationship with gender. This book was a fantastic chance to broaden my view on how complex that relationship is and can be. There is so much more to being trans than simply wanting to be a boy or a girl and being in the opposite body. The people in this book were messy, unique, and sincere in the telling of their story.

Several times did it make me want to step back and try to read the book as if I were different people. I recommend this book. It was a learning experience for me and the goal was definitely successfully achieved experience. 

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Reviewed by Leiden T.
Grade 9

If you’d like to find a book filled with horrible stereotypes, lack of purpose, a selfish main character (not complex, just aggravating) with a writer who obviously doesn’t know what he’s doing, then you should take a look at Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.

Greg is the narrator of this completely uninteresting tale. This book starts out with the author warning the readers that he is in fact, not a good writer. After this, it talks about how Greg is being forced by his mother to help a girl with cancer by being a good friend to her. He is extremely reluctant but decides to go on with it, alongside his best friend Earl.

This story is told in the first-person perspective of Greg that has some fourth wall-breaking where he talks to the reader. The way the book is set is an obvious way to get attention and seem original, but it just is very… weird. Repeatedly throughout the book it will tell you to stop reading and I wish I listened to it. The humor is just not funny in the slightest and there’s lots of vulgar language to make itself appeal to teens. I didn’t understand the point of the book, no moral or real plot, which made it feel like a chore I had to finish. Besides the way that is written, there are still many faults. It was almost as if the writer had a goal to fill the book with as much racism and sexism as possible. He uses a derogatory term used against black people on multiple occasions, even though he is a white man.

I’ve said multiple of my critiques and despite the fact I think it’s a bad book, there are redeeming qualities. I will say that I enjoyed how Greg is depicted as a deeply flawed character which makes him relatable. I could heavily relate to his need to make people smile and that’s one of the main reasons I kept on reading.

I don’t recommend this book to anyone, though that doesn’t mean I don’t think it should be in the library. Despite the fact that this is considered a frequently "Banned" or "Challenged" book, I do not believe that any book should be banned. 

Celebrating our freedom to read during Banned Books Week

Written by Bella S., Sienna V., Bel L., Delany B., Leiden T.

As Americans, one of the main issues of our country is freedom. We can say what we want, protest what we want, publicize what we want, and we have many other rights that allow us to be free from control so that we can make our own choices. But lately, one particular problem continues to occur. Should we be allowed to have the freedom to choose what we want to read as teens? 

Some believe that just as we can write what we want, we should be able to read what we want. But others think that we should be limited on what content we are exposed to. Topics like race, gender, and culture are all on the chopping block. As you continue to read, books that have been nominated to be banned will be reviewed. But I’ll let you make your own decisions on what you think about banning books. (BS)

Below are some of the books that have been included an the American Library Association's Top 10 Most Challenged Books lists for 2021 - 2020:

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out (2014) by Susan Kuklin

Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit. 

Beyond Magenta is a collection of interview style tales told by several trans and queer teens. Between the gorgeous photography in this book, comes honest reflections of their experiences coming of age while grappling with their gender identity. Their place as a banned/challenged book is just one of many attempts to conceal their stories. (BL)

#10 of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2021

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2012) by Jesse Andrews

Reasons: Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and degrading to women

This book follows the tale of Greg, Earl, and his former friend Rachel, who now has cancer. Earl has been forced by his mother to help Rachel find happiness in her horrible situation. In the book, it has multiple slurs used along with racial stereotypes and misogyny. Despite this, I do not believe any book should be banned to the public, so I do not think the correct decision is the ban it. Though, I do not support the book in any capacity. (LT)

#7 of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2021

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (2007) by Sherman Alexie

Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references and use of a derogatory term

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, a Spokane-Coeur d'Alene-native, is a semi-autobiographical novel about the life of a young Native American named Junior. This book should not be banned or challenged because it offers a new perspective about America which often gets overlooked, and it gives Native American children a new narrative with universal challenges such as poverty and sexuality. Alexie forces American students, who often only hear about Native Americans in regard to tragedy, to see them as real people. (DB)

#6 of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2021

All Boys Aren’t Blue (2020) by George M. Johnson

Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, profanity, and because it was considered to be sexually explicit

All Boys Aren't Blue is a memoir that follows the life of George Johnson. It highlights their struggles growing up and dealing with racism, homophobia, and gender identity. This book most definitely should not be banned because it can be a great help to others that are experiencing George's same struggles. Not only do I think this book should not be banned, I think that everyone should read it to get educated on the importance of equality. (SV)

#3 of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2021

Speak (1999) by Laurie Halse Anderson

Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint and it was claimed to be biased against male students, and for the novel’s inclusion of rape and profanity

Speak is a novel about a girl named Melinda who is dealing with sexual assault. While this is a heavy topic, it is a sad reality that so many people face. This book is so important to help people understand that they are not alone. Aside from it being informative, it is also very well written and illustrates the struggles Melinda faces. (SV)

#4 of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2020

Click here for more information on the history of Banned Books Week.