This book was received as an ARC from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have heard this story before on a 20/20 special on transgender and its impact on America and heard the story of Mimi and her then daughter Em who kept telling everyone that she was a boy and then later went transitioned and now is named Jacob. Hearing Mimi's story and how this movement impacted her life was very life changing and inspiring to read. Hearing the heartfelt emotions that both Mimi and Jacob had to go through was very brave and will inspire a lot of people but most importantly impact the transgender movement by education. This book brought me to tears and I could feel the emotions and pain both of them are going through this powerful movement and having a story to tell throughout the country.

We will consider adding this title to our Biography collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

I could not have selected a better or more inspiring book to read than Mimi Lemay’s dual story of discovering who we are despite outside pressures and assumptions.  

The story centers around Em, her daughter, insisting that he is a boy. Despite all of the issues, Lemay and her husband decided to search for answers and find a course that could make Em find a true identity and ensure their family solidarity. 

The story within the story is Lemay’s own transition from her stringent Orthodox Jewish roots to find her authentic self in the broader, secular community.  

As a person who prepares students to teach, this is book that will be added to my syllabus. More and more, educators are dealing with situations of gender dysphoria. Schools are often asked to provide restrooms that are gender neutral or that provide the needed privacy for children who have not yet transitioned. 

Lemay has also provided evidence from recent studies on the advantages of dealing with this early in life. 

Her own story is equally fascinating and could have easily been a stand alone memoir like UNORTHODOX.   I found both stories fascinating and I urge all educators to read this. I feel that I am still within the learning process, and hope that I can gain sufficient sensitivity and knowledge to deal with children and families handling their non-CIS gender child. 

Bravo to Mimi and Jacob for their courage in sharing their journeys. Thanks NETGALLEY for this incredible learning experience.