Review by Booklist Review
Based on Grimm's experiences as an out transgender boy, this picture book relates his battle to use the boys' bathroom at his high school. Initially, it isn't even an issue, but then a teacher begins to gossip and declares that Gavin should be forced to use the girls' room. This triggers a wave of bullying from students until a meeting is called over the situation. Gavin chooses to attend the meeting and speak out. Though his bravery isn't rewarded in this instance, Gavin continues to speak out on behalf of trans people, attending protests and working with the ACLU. While the book doesn't clearly resolve the high-school story line, it is nevertheless important for its fostering of empathy, representation, and spotlighting Gavin as a role model for any kid wanting to effect change. Yang's color-saturated illustrations feel like they've been plucked from a graphic novel, visually moving the narrative and capturing Gavin's emotional journey. Rainbow hues wash over a final spread of a rally, which makes for a hopeful, empowering conclusion.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Activist Grimm and author Lukoff's voices blend powerfully in this autobiographical picture book that's also a call for action, authenticity, and equity. In immediately engaging lines, the authors ask what choices kids get to make, establishing children's autonomy ("You can choose which way to ride your bike") and recognizing its limits ("You don't choose your skin color"). They next combine the concepts in a portrait of Grimm's childhood, centering his choice to discuss his innate gender identity: "I'm really a boy on the inside." Framing biographical beats as further decisions, the text traces how discriminatory practices at school led to Gavin's advocating for trans rights all the way to the Supreme Court. Crucially, readers can connect with the text both as people "like Gavin" and people who, "like Gavin," understand that everyone has the right to be themselves. Using the blues and pinks of the trans flag alongside jewel tones, Yang's digital illustrations emphasize Grimm's experience and legacy: "When you're a kid like Gavin Grimm, you know the only choice you have is to fight back." Ages 4--8. (July)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--5--The underlying theme of this true story about teenage trans student Gavin Grimm is that there are choices a kid can and can't make. Gavin had no choice about the fact that the world saw him as a girl when inside he knew he was a boy. He did have a choice to talk honestly about it. And when he got tired of using the nurse's bathroom as though he were a sick person, he had no choice but to try and get access to the boys' bathroom at school. Teachers gossiped and students bullied him, but he spoke out even louder about his rights--before the community, on the news, and in a successful court case brought by the ACLU. The kid-friendly and straightforward narration works with digitally created art that employs firm outlines and a muted palette to communicate Gavin's embarrassment, loneliness, and evolving courage. Framed throughout with the conditional "if" of the title, the text stumbles only once when it switches to, "Since you're a kid like Gavin Grimm," which unnecessarily narrows the audience. VERDICT All kids should be challenged to think about the message of standing up and fighting for what is right. Here is a worthy discussion-starter on an important topic for all collections.--Jan Aldrich Solow
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Review by Horn Book Review
This timely picture book by activist Grimm, with help from author Lukoff (When Aidan Became a Brother, rev. 7/19) and artist Yang, tells the true story of young Gavin's charge into the fight for transgender rights. Like many kids, Gavin is able to make certain decisions himself. Will he eat a worm on a dare? Probably not. Will he sneak a pet frog into his room? Likely, yes. However, there are some choices kids don't make, including the gender they're assigned at birth. But Gavin can choose whether to come out to his family and to face down bigotry within his community. When his school challenges his right to use the boys' bathroom, Gavin stands up for himself and other transgender students by speaking at a school committee meeting, and later, on national news and in court alongside the ACLU. Though Gavin faces intimidating opponents, the text remains encouraging from the first page to the last. Yang's dynamic digital illustrations have a comics-style quality; Gavin's determination as he encounters new challenges and questions what to do is clearly conveyed. Background characters represent individuals of many skin tones, sizes, abilities, and cultures. The transgender flag's cotton-candy pink and light blue shades appear in soft clouds overhead and on protest signs on several pages, perhaps as a reminder that Gavin is not alone in his fight for justice. This true story of courage and resiliency is sure to inspire young advocates everywhere. Notes from the authors are appended. Hill Saxton July/August 2022 p.144(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Some choices are harder than others. Growing up, student Gavin Grimm knew about choices. He knew whether to eat worms on a dare, whether to sneakily adopt a pet frog and hide it from his mother, and that he had to make a choice about standing up for his right to use the boys' bathroom at school. This last choice, however, was deemed controversial by a transphobic teacher and by students who bullied Gavin. But Gavin still had a decision to make: He could stay silent, or he could fight back. In this picture-book, trans activist Grimm, with author Lukoff, documents his early life and his role fighting for trans rights, a battle that sadly is far from over. The story's simple but direct text and vibrant digital illustrations work in tandem to create a beautiful, harmonious story that deftly documents Gavin's fight and explains why trans rights are basic human rights. While librarians and educators will find this an essential title for their shelves, book clubs and individual readers will equally find it useful for discussion, contemplation, and as an excellent introduction to the discussion of trans rights from a humanist perspective. While Gavin's story is far from over--and he may have many rocky roads ahead--this book will help readers and their caregivers better understand why it was necessary for him to make these difficult but vital choices. There's no choice here. Buy it! (Picture-book biography. 6-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
