JAZZ MERGIRL is the compelling true story of a transgender girl born in a boy’s body. It tells how Jazz Jennings and her family navigate the challenging road of her transition into the bright and beautiful teen she is today. Jazz is an award-winning activist, author, artist, and TV Star of "I Am Jazz".
Learn how Jazz champions equal rights, courageously speaking out to build understanding and acceptance of transgender and other unique and special people. Jazz also encourages kids who are different to accept and love themselves.
Teens and adults will be fascinated and engaged by JAZZ MERGIRL. This story will also interest parents, teachers, therapists, healthcare and child-service providers, and those in psychology and gender studies programs. Included are online resources, an extensive, user-friendly glossary, and a Q&A section about Jazz.
Although not an "official authorized biography", this book's profits go to support Jazz's TransKids Purple Rainbow Foundation.
Bruce Edlen is a credentialed teacher with a Masters Degree in Education. He taught for over 20 years, but says, “Once a teacher, always a teacher.” That natural inclination to inform and educate led him to write Jazz Mergirl. Working with students and grownups gave him the background and skills necessary to present this story in a way that is accessible and engaging to both teen and adult readers.
In his spare time, the author enjoys keeping current on issues in education, reading, listening to an eclectic mix of music, photography, traveling, gardening, and feeding a bunch of feisty backyard hummingbirds. He also spends quiet time at his mountain cabin retreat. Bruce Edlen resides in Southern California.
Author(s): Bruce Edlen
Edition: Paperback
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Year: 2015
Language: English
Commentary: inspirational; overcoming adversity; LGBTQ+; trans*; trans inclusivity; diversity; tolerance; acceptance; gender; trans youth; trans children
Pages: 214
Chap 1 — Barbie, Barbie, Barbie!......Page 17
Chap 2 — Gender Identity Disorder......Page 21
Chap 3 — Why?......Page 28
Chap 4 — Acceptance and Transition......Page 36
Chap 5 — Coming Out Party......Page 42
Chap 6 — Social Transition......Page 45
Chap 7 — Kindergarten!......Page 48
Chap 8 — Friends and Bullies......Page 51
Chap 9 — TransKids Purple Rainbow......Page 55
Chap 10 – My Secret Self......Page 58
Chap 11 – Ripple Effect......Page 63
Chap 12 – First-Grade Frustrations......Page 69
Chap 13 – Sports: Setbacks and Success......Page 71
Chap 14 – Questions and Concerns......Page 76
Chap 15 – Filmed Appearances, 2008 – 2011......Page 80
Chap 16 – The Blockers......Page 86
Chap 17 – Chemical Transition......Page 93
Chap 18 – Gender-Affirming Surgery......Page 100
Chap 19 – Filmed Appearances, 2012 – 2013......Page 105
Chap 20 – Filmed Appearances, 2014 – 2015......Page 113
Chap 21 – The Art of Jazz......Page 122
Chap 22 – I Am Jazz – The Book......Page 127
Chap 23 – Speaking of Jazz......Page 137
Chap 24 – Why Jazz?......Page 150