Copyright Date:
2024
Edition Date:
2024
Release Date:
04/23/24
Pages:
211 pages
ISBN:
Publisher: 0-06-331958-6 Perma-Bound: 0-8000-5416-4
ISBN 13:
Publisher: 978-0-06-331958-5 Perma-Bound: 978-0-8000-5416-8
Dewey:
921
LCCN:
2023937034
Dimensions:
23 cm
Subject Heading:
Parish, Theo. Comic books, strips, etc.
Parish, Theo.
Cartoonists. Biography. Comic books, strips, etc.
Gender-nonconforming people. Biography. Comic books, strips, etc.
Gender nonconformity. Comic books, strips, etc.
Gender identity. Comic books, strips, etc.
Cartoonists.
Gender-nonconforming people.
Gender nonconformity.
Gender identity.
Language:
English
Reviews:
School Library Journal
(Wed May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2024)
Gr 7 Up— In this uplifting graphic memoir, Parish recounts their journey to feel at home in their body and gender identity. Parish begins by examining the messages they heard about gender growing up, both from their parents and from the assumptions other people made about them. After their early attempts to conform to gender norms fail to make them feel authentically seen, Parish begins to experiment with different presentations by portraying characters at comic-cons and participating in role-playing games. When Parish discovers the term nonbinary and finds other people online who share similar experiences with gender, they gain a sense of clarity and relief. Drawn in muted reds, grays, and blues, the appealing, simple art style mirrors the encouraging tone of the memoir, with inspiring messages featuring people of all skin tones, body types, abilities, and gender presentations interspersed with Parish's memories. A recurring image in the novel is Parish drawn with a home for a torso, reflecting the title and theme of feeling at home in one's body. VERDICT The portrayal of gender identity as a journey with no set destination is affirming and reassuring, and this hopeful tone will appeal to teens. Recommended for purchase.— Emily Yates
In their comics debut, Theo Parish masterfully weaves an intimate and defiantly hopeful memoir about the journey one nonbinary person takes to find a home within themself. Combining traditional comics with organic journal-like interludes, Theo takes us through their experiences with the hundred arbitrary and unspoken gender binary rules of high school, from harrowing haircuts and finally the right haircut to the intersection of gender identity and sexuality—and through tiny everyday moments that all led up to Theo finding the term “nonbinary,” which finally struck a chord.
“Have you ever had one of those moments when all of a sudden things become clear…like someone just turned on a light?”
A whole spectrum of people will be drawn to Theo’s storytelling, from trans or questioning teens and adults, to folks who devoured Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe or The Fire Never Goes Out by ND Stevenson, to any person looking to dive a little deeper into the way gender can shape identity. Throughout the book, Theo’s crystal-clear voice reminds the reader that it’s okay not to know, it’s okay to change your mind, and it’s okay to take your time finding your way home.
“We are all just trying to find a place to call our own. We are all deserving of comfort and safety, a place to call home.”
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