Becoming Nicole : : the Transformation of an American Family

Locations
Call Number: 306.768 Nu, Adult Book / Nonfiction / Social Science / Gender Studies / Nutt, Amy Ellis
On Shelf At: Downtown Library, Pittsfield Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	306.768 Nu	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	306.768 Nu	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Pittsfield Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Nonfiction / Social Science / Gender Studies / Nutt, Amy Ellis	4-week checkout	On Shelf

Prologue: mirror image -- Beginnings. Identical twins ; My boys ; Finally ours ; Gender dysphoria ; Down east ; Things to be careful of ; The pink aisle ; A boy-girl ; Wild in the dark ; Girls with magical powers ; A son and a daughter ; Transitions ; Getting the anger out -- The Sexual Brain. The Xs and Ys of sex ; Perpetrating gender ; Nature's anomalies ; Being different ; Becoming Nicole ; A new adversary ; Freak ; The Christian Civic League of Maine ; Defending Nicole ; May I have this dance? ; She's all girl ; Eyes on -- Gender Matters. The transgender brain ; Gender of the heart ; Separate and unequal ; Going stealth ; On the outside looking in ; Puberty begins ; Born this way ; A time for change ; We can't lose ; First kiss ; Small victories ; Someone else's brother ; One step back ; Imagine ; Our story -- Breaking Barriers. Commencement ; Transformation -- Epilogue: as long as she's happy.
"The inspiring true story of a transgender girl, her identical twin brother, and an ordinary American family's extraordinary journey to understand, nurture, and celebrate the uniqueness in us all, from the Pulitzer Prize-winning science reporter for The Washington Post When Wayne and Kelly Maines adopted identical twin boys, they thought their lives were complete. But it wasn't long before they noticed a marked difference between Jonas and his brother, Wyatt. Jonas preferred sports and trucks and many of the things little boys were "supposed" to like; but Wyatt liked princess dolls and dress-up and playing Little Mermaid. By the time the twins were toddlers, confusion over Wyatt's insistence that he was female began to tear the family apart. In the years that followed, the Maineses came to question their long-held views on gender and identity, to accept and embrace Wyatt's transition to Nicole, and to undergo an emotionally wrenching transformation of their own that would change all their lives forever. Becoming Nicole chronicles a journey that could have destroyed a family but instead brought it closer together. It's the story of a mother whose instincts told her that her child needed love and acceptance, not ostracism and disapproval; of a Republican, Air Force veteran father who overcame his deepest fears to become a vocal advocate for trans rights; of a loving brother who bravely stuck up for his twin sister; and of a town forced to confront its prejudices, a school compelled to rewrite its rules, and a courageous community of transgender activists determined to make their voices heard. Ultimately, Becoming Nicole is the story of an extraordinary girl who fought for the right to be herself. Granted wide-ranging access to personal diaries, home videos, clinical journals, legal documents, medical records, and the Maineses themselves, Amy Ellis Nutt spent almost four years reporting this immersive account of an American family confronting an issue that is at the center of today's cultural debate. Becoming Nicole will resonate with anyone who's ever raised a child, felt at odds with society's conventions and norms, or had to embrace life when it plays out unexpectedly. It's a story of standing up for your beliefs and yourself--and it will inspire all of us to do the same. Advance praise for Becoming Nicole "Becoming Nicole is a miracle. It's the story of a family struggling with--and embracing--a transgender child. But more than that, it's about accepting one another, and ourselves, in all our messy, contradictory glory. The Maines family is as American as they come. In the journey they take toward authenticity and justice, we see a model for the future of our country, a future in which all of us--mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters--somehow find the courage, and the love, to become our best selves."--Jennifer Finney Boylan, co-chair of GLAAD and author of She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders "Gripping. a timely, signification examination."--Kirkus Reviews"-- Provided by publisher.
"The Maines were a middle-class, hard-working, politically conservative New England couple whose lives felt complete when they adopted identical twin sons. As toddlers, Jonas was the son Kelly and Wayne Maines expected, but Wyatt was only interested in girls' clothes and toys. By age five, this conflict was tearing Wyatt--and the family--apart. Today, Wyatt is Nicole. She and Jonas are now graduating from high school. This is the story of a journey that could have destroyed a family, but instead united them. It's the story of a mother whose instincts told her her child needed love and help. It's the story of a Republican, NRA-member father who overcame confusion and fear to become a vocal advocate of trans rights. It's the story of a brother who always loved and accepted his sister. And, especially, it's the story of a young girl who found the courage to be herself. "-- Provided by publisher.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

Library Journal Review
Publishers Weekly Review
Summary / Annotation
Fiction Profile
Excerpt
Author Notes

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Captivating submitted by Zekicmom on July 18, 2016, 11:25pm I'm glad I read this book, and that Nicole and her family were brave enough to share their story with the world. In addition to their remarkable journey, the author explains a lot of history of gender identity and the workings of the human brain as it relates to sexuality and gender. Really interesting and eye opening for me.

Love ultimately wins submitted by lballard on June 17, 2018, 9:39pm This is a beautiful book that can help others understand gender dysphoria. The fact that Nicole’s father also struggled to accept it may help it to reach others. Also showing everything the family suffers from cruel people looking for an outlet for hate, hopefully will make people think twice about who they want to be.
I’m reminded of a story about one of the delegates to our churches national convention, who was unsure about how to vote on whether to accept gay marriage. Then she saw the anti gay protesters, and the hate clarified, for her, what side Jesus would be on. Hopefully this book will also help people realize that attacking children is never moral.

Helped me understand a trans story submitted by LVDS on July 7, 2018, 4:13pm Each family is unique and we all have expectationtions for our children....that may and should change.
This story is about a very young boy who very early identifies as a girl....so the transition struggles legally and as the parent are honestly shared. It's very affirming for transgenders.
But PLEASE because of the bullying some "Christians" in thier situation did, which was unkind and mean, do NOT categorize all Christ followers as this.
My youngest child at 20, went from lesbian to transmale. I love God and though I don't understand this, I've been accepting, loving and would never "kick" her/him out of our home/family.
Sadly many gays and trans are on the streets, or have higer suicide rates because they're abandoned...by those who should care most for them!