NYC third-graders encouraged to read book about transgender child this summer
NEW YORK CITY (CITC) — One of the most challenged books of the last decade is being recommended to students as young as third grade in New York City for summer reading.
"I Am Jazz," the autobiographical picture book which describes the childhood of transgender activist Jazz Jennings, is featured in New York City Public Schools's (NYCPS) Literacy Collaborative summer reading guide. The guide was compiled by librarians and educational organizations, and is designed for families to help NYCPS students improve their literacy skills over the summer.
"I Am Jazz" is recommended for NYCPS third-, fourth- and fifth-graders, and parents are encouraged to both read to their children and let their children recite the story back to them. The book details, among other things, Jennings's frustrations with her parents asking her to wear "boy clothes" as a child and a doctor ultimately telling Jennings's parents that their daughter is transgender.
"I Am Jazz" has been removed from schools nationwide due to parents raising concerns over its age-appropriateness. A Wisconsin school district cancelled a reading of the book the year after it was published due to threats of being sued for violating parental and religious rights.
"This book recommendation is not only inappropriate but irresponsible," Erika Sanzi, Director of Outreach for Parents Defending Education (PDE), told Crisis in the Classroom (CITC). "This targeted propaganda leaves out the fact that Jazz Jennings continues to struggle with mental health challenges and major complications from gender-related surgeries."
Others have supported implementing "I Am Jazz" in school libraries and curriculums, arguing that doing so helps promote inclusivity among students.
In a 2015 op-ed, Jennings defended the book by saying that it "can make sure that transgender children are treated fairly at school and given the same opportunities to succeed in life."
"Growing up transgender can be a challenging experience, and we need our parents, schools, and friends to stand by us so we can breathe easily," Jennings wrote.
CITC reached out to the NYC Department of Education for comment, but did not receive a response prior to publication. This story will be updated if a response is received.
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