Beyond
Magenta is a captivating nonfiction book written by Susan
Kuklin, and recognized in 2015 as a Stonewall Honor Book. The story chronicles the life of six
transgender or gender neutral teens as they recount the before, during, and
after of their discovery of a life far different from what they were born into. Through the meeting and interviewing of these
individuals, Kuklin was able to provide the audience with insight into the teens’
emotional account of navigating friendships and other social interactions, all
while addressing questions of identity and gender. The audience learns of inconsistency in how
each person was treated during their challenging transitional times. Once the second chapter begins, it is quite
apparent that each teens’ story is not only informative and powerful, but also
unique. For example, Jessy was born as a
young woman and in her teenage years began the process of changing
genders. Overall, Jessy’s family and
friends demonstrated unfaltering support and a desire for Jessy to be truly
comfortable and content in her own body.
Through their acceptance during the transition process, Jessy developed
a very healthy self-concept as she said, “When I first started my transition, I
wanted it to be complete, from one side to the other. But now I’m embracing my
in-between-ness. I’m embracing the whole
mix that I have inside myself. And I’m
happy. So forget the category. Just talk to me. Get to know me.” (p. 23)
Beyond Magenta,
in my opinion, is a book designed for readers nearing the end of high school or
of an older age. Although the topics addressed in the book are of adult
content, they are too important to be overlooked in a classroom setting. Through careful exposure to LGBTQ issues
addressed in the story and through appropriate class discussions, teachers and
students may explore topics of diversity, acceptance, embracing differences, as
well as identity in general. Kuklin’s
book offers her audience an opportunity to understand the inner workings of six
teen’s lives. In doing so, we are
provided a chance to practice being less wary of individuals with differences,
and rather be able to look inside ourselves and consider how our reactions
affect others. Students will be able to
relate to each young adult’s desire for acceptance and approval in a world that
is sometimes cruel and cynical. Whether
facing LGBQT concerns or other issues, all people can understand the desire to
feel a sense of belonging in a group, as well as truly being comfortable in
their own skin.
Kuklin, Susan. 2014. Beyond Magenta. New York, New York: Candlewick
Press.
No comments:
Post a Comment