Book Description
for Some Assembly Required by Arin Andrews
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Transgender teen Arin Andrews tells the story of his emerging understanding as a young teen that his female body did not reflect who he knew himself to be. Growing up in Oklahoma, Arin found support at a local community center for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender teens. At home, his mom, although struggling with Arin’s revelation, remained his strong supporter and worked to broaden her own knowledge and understanding of transgender issues. Arin’s voice is open, honest, engaging and refreshingly undramatic. He talks about everything from the beauty pageants he entered (and sometimes won) when he was younger to his growing disconnect with his body as he reached puberty and developed breasts, to relationships and romance. In addition to a list of books, movies, and online resources, the additional material includes an outstanding “How To Talk to Your New Transgender Friend (A Very Brief Guide).” (Age 12 and older)
CCBC Choices 2015. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2015. Used with permission.