Reviews

Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope by Jodie Patterson

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librarydancer's review

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Important book for families with younger kids who are struggling with their identity.

sterkaim's review

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challenging fast-paced

5.0

aengh's review against another edition

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3.0

This book is pretty cute! I like that it touches on certain emotional elements like how Penelope acts out when he feels he isn't being listened to or getting the attention he needs. I like that he really is the narrator of this story, that he has a clear voice. This is shown through him asserting things like, "No I don't think I'm a boy; I AM a boy." This book is good for visibility, representation, and exposing kids to experiences that may not be like their own. In this way, it is a successful work, I'd say, because I'd give it to kids who are exploring gender as well as kids kids who are looking to broaden their perspectives (or rather whose parents want them exposed to a wide range of identities).

litwitchbitch's review

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5.0

Honestly, this is a great book for kids and adults. It's an important book to act as a mirror for readers to see themselves represented, but it's equally important for those who know little about transgender and gender fluid dynamics to see how it plays out through children; the humanizing and adorable reliability that this book brings to readers can create a window to understanding.

mesy_mark's review against another edition

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4.0

I am so happy to read more trans children's stories and this is the story of Penelope a young trans boy. At five years old he is exhibiting behaviors of anger and finally gets asked why. He wants to be seen as a boy. And with his parents on board, he transitions.

A cute little story about a young trans kid just living through childhood.

barbarianlibarian's review

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4.0

this book was well done and my kiddo enjoyed it. what threw me off was the part where the main character, who is 5, is in my martial arts tournament that he wins with a roundhouse kick to the head of his opponent. do 5 year olds really do that?!