Review by Kirkus Book Review
A personal and educational exploration of raising a nonbinary child. Ollie, an advanced-learning grade-school student, had much to teach everyone in their circle when they declared themselves nonbinary. Rademacher, a public schoolteacher, and his wife, Becca, a therapist, admit that they have enjoyed enough privilege to negotiate the system and access a school designed for gifted students. The author is a self-described "social justice teacher" in a White suburban school, modeling what "a white dude who listened to people of color" looks like. His heartfelt encouragement of the growth and education of both Ollie and his own students shows clearly why he was named Minnesota Teacher of the Year in 2014, and his recognition that even adults struggle with understanding systemic racism makes him an effective advocate for racial equality. The author's conversational style and self-deprecating wit make his family's story an easy, engaging read; it's not merely "a whole book about how their kid is, like, super smart and stuff." Rademacher chronicles how Ollie was attracted to the genderfluid characters at Denver Comic Con and how he befriended digital artists who appeared queer or gender-nonconforming. Ollie helped their parents and peers adapt to new viewpoints, which the author admits "took time and practice." Meanwhile, Rademacher was challenged with educating "hyperprivileged" White suburbanites in the aftermath of the nearby police shooting of Philando Castile in 2016. The author devotes chapters to his reasons for stances on such issues as gifted education ("What do we do with smart kids?"), sex education, and student activism. But, quite rightly, he gives his book's last words to Ollie, from a speech they present to educators about gender identity. "I love it when people ask, 'What are your pronouns?' or 'What do you identify as?' not 'Are you a boy or a girl?' even though I love the surprise on their faces when I plainly say, 'No.' The only reason I care is that I don't want to explain every, single, time." A fine introduction to nonbinary gender identity, courtesy of a child and their supportive parents. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
