Featuring: Pageboy

Being a teacher in July is the best. And not simply because it's a month off from work without the pressures to start thinking about next year (like what happens in August). But more importantly, this time off means time and energy to pursue other joyful hobbies and adventures. Whatever that looks like for you, I hope you're feeling creative and enthusiastic.

Last week I shared my Classroom Library Registry service with you. I'm excited to help you get even more great books for your students—but I recognize that you might not want to think about your classroom right now (see above!). Don't worry. I'll be ready to help you with your classroom library when you're ready to think about it.

Title: Pageboy

Author: Elliot Page

Genre: Memoir

Age range: 18+

Summary: Elliot Page writes about his journey thus far of coming out as gay and transgender while living in the public eye as an Oscar-nominated actor known for hits such as Juno, Whip It, and The Umbrella Academy. Weaving together stories from his childhood, initial foray into acting, and life as a Hollywood star, Page offers an intimate view into his life. Notably, he details the emotional, social, and physical aspects of his gender dysphoria—and the happiness he has found through transitioning to live in his gender identity.

Teachers, this one's for you. I wish I could recommend that you hand it to students, but Page's inclusion of explicit details from his sex life make this an 18+ selection. Nevertheless, the gender dysphoria he experiences and shares with the reader is not a story I see in the published world too often. That makes it a unique learning opportunity to understand and empathize with a way of being potentially different from yours. Whether or not you personally relate, you will have students who do. Here's why you should read it for them:

Understanding: I wish that my first encounter with someone experiencing gender dysphoria hadn't been a student. I wish that I had had more knowledge and understanding before these students showed up in my classroom. If you feel similarly, then read Pageboy and let Page's story initiate or continue your learning.
Empathy: Page's story is not just about being gay and transgender. It's also about being a child in a divorced household, pursuing a highly selective passion, and nurturing relationships. It's a good reminder that we don't know what people (including our students) are going through—even if they live in the limelight.
Knowledge: If you're teaching about gender identity (maybe in health class or advisory, or perhaps as a theme in a different text), then you can select sections from Pageboy as a first-hand account. Choose relevant and appropriate sections to help your students learn about gender.

Looking for similar books? I put together a crowd-sourced list of affirming middle grade, young adult, and adult books that feature transgender characters and stories. Please add your suggestions to the post!

Literacy Love Notes:

I'm a late joiner of the TJ Klune fan club, but I just finished The Extraordinaries and shared why students will like it here.
Kass Minor, one-half of The Minor Collective with her husband Cornelius Minor, is hosting a three-part virtual book club for her new book: Teaching Fiercely: Spreading Joy and Justice in Our Schools. I registered and I hope you'll join me!
I also registered for the free 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Online Summit on July 10 & 11. I'm particularly interested in these sessions: "Easy games for review and formative assessment in the secondary classroom," "You don't have to perform: lesson structures to increase student autonomy," and "Using PBL and alternative assessment methods in the literacy classroom to save time." See you there!

Have a good one and learn everything you can,

Hannah

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