transgenger book being introduced to 12 year old at school

[Molucco]

Just wanted to see what other parents think about a book called the art of been normal being introduced to all girls secondary school year 8 in English ?

that stat suggests that transing isn't the answer to these children's problems, then, doesn't it? And it's worth noting that children are encouraged to threaten suicide by trans organisations if they're not getting their own way.

It is damaging to children in every possible regard.

some of us will always treat people with respect and kindness but will never believe in either souls, girly essence, wrong bodies etc etc.

You do know that those stats have been generally condemned as incorrect, misleading and harmful don’t you? Stonewall is not an unbiased partner in this circus.

Oh yes - I forgot the US doctor who was recorder telling patients to threaten depressing and self harm/suicide if they didn’t get medical treatment.

god, I hadn't picked up that that was that old Stonewall stat.

Bibidy IIRC, that was from a survey of 2000 self selecting people aged between 18 and 25 (so not children), 27 of which identified as trans (27 is not a statistically viable number, nor is what they meant by trans defined). Of those, 1 in 4 had attempted suicide.

So, again, in every regard a statistic to be discounted.

God, I didn't realise people were still reading and believing that stat!

I wouldn't have a problem with it. I think children should be educated about all things and it should prompt a discussion about gender norms and so on. If you are concerned, approach the school and ask how it will be presented

I’d have thought that if asked 100% of people have thought about suicide. Considering it seriously is another kettle of fish.

The only story that sticks out in my mind is a trans man who killed themselves but they were a Dr Wibbly patient weren’t they?

I've had a quick look at this book an Amazon and just the first chapters have the usual 'boy who conforms to some feminine gender stereotypes must be a girl really'. Watching America's Next Top Model doesn't make you a girl, FFS.

I wouldnt touch that show with a barge pole and much prefer car makeover shows. Dearie me.

Of course there is a trend. Go do some actual research instead of throwing the word bigot around. As for the op, I’d look into the book myself and talk to the school and make my feelings known, I’d hope that my kid sees through the bullshit but wouldn’t single them out by not letting them read it etc, a kid doesn’t need the extra pressure of name calling in such a woke time.

Well, I was curious so I checked our local library for this book when I was in today. They had it so I've read the first ten chapters or so this afternoon. So far, it's a well written and engaging YA novel. The trans character is one of two main characters and the other one has family issues - uncaring mother, absent father etc. It seems to be mostly about the importance of friendship and fitting in whoever you are.
Obviously I'm only a very short way through but so far I don't see any issues with 12 year olds reading this (apart from perhaps a bit of sniggering about the description of a penis). Quite enjoying it so thanks for the recommendation OP!

Really? You didn't see any reinforcement of gender stereotypes, for example? I like long hair and Project Catwalk and Gossip Girl and that's what girls like?

I only skimread it and that jumped out at me.

Are you 12, NoHummus?

I disagree that books could not sway a non trans person into bec9ming trans.

I believe that if I was a child today I would buy the trans idea totally , because as a child I did think something had gone wrong and I was a boy . It took many years before I grow up and worked out that the problem wasn’t me. But top surgery’ would have gone on my Christmas wish list as soon as I heard of it.

It’s not ( generally , there may be rare exceptions ) innate. It is generally recognised that transisentification is driven largely by cultural factors.

It's a brilliant book. I'm an English teacher at secondary and I've read it. Read up about the author. My concern would really be that done children in Year 8 still have a reading age of 10 or below and it's a higher level than that. It's a great, realistic and compassionate read.

Done = some 🙄

i think probably to enjoy the book you have to buy into the whole wrong body theory.

you have to believe there is 'essence of lady' - enjoying nighties and americas too model - and essence of man - which um isnt.

I would read it myself first, so I could discuss it with my child and correct any inaccuracies.
I don't think this is something you can ignore at the moment so the more informed the better.

Fenny could you answer any of the concerns raised by posters, then?

Yay! You should be pleased that the school is so open with pupils

I would be expecting my child to be reading a novel with greater depth and more complex vocabulary by year 8. Time in school is too precious to be wasted on any literature that is less than excellent.

Yes I have to say @Blueshadow my year 8 is currently studying Julius Caesar. I'd be deeply unimpressed if they were reading any YA fiction except as general reading in their own time

Thing is I don't believe you are born in the wrong body , you are born in the body you were meant to be in. I try to put myself in other parents shoes who have a transgender child and think what would I do ? But I honestly believe I would say fine if you want to believe that go with it as far as clothes hairstyles etc but as soon as blockers etc was mentioned that would have to be a no . I believe in a wait and see approach after all you're not allowed get a tattoo until your are 18 .

Propaganda from the loony left being shoved down the throats of children

Please don't believe it's the fault of the 'loony left'. I'm dyed in the wool 'loony left' and I am very, shall we say, sceptical about this shit. All this 'blame the loony left' stuff bandied about by certain sections of the media, commentators etc reeks of divide and conquer to me.

If you're a woman, whatever your political stripe, and you're not concerned about this, you're not paying attention. This is bigger than party politics.

I wouldn't be happy about a book like this being a set text unless there was a counter to it, especially in a girls' school. It's only one opinion. Young girls need to know, for example, that if they're trying to work out their sexuality, that whatever some say you don't have to have sex with a penis if you're a lesbian. Stuff like that.

Sorry been marking. My year 8s are studying The Merchant of Venice.

In a curriculum you'll have a range of literature. Modern and classic. So before The Merchant of Venice, last term in Year 7 they read Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell. Before that, childhood poetry, The Tempest and Private Peaceful.

Try engaging 30 Year 8 students with just classic literature. Seriously. Jane Eyre, then Brontë pastoral poetry, Julius Caesar then why not Dickens... Reading is about expanding your views and ideas. Granted, it is a brave choice for whole class reading, but why not? It wouldn't quite be mine, but fortunately I am a teacher and not curriculum designer! I expect they'll be doing Shakespeare after half term.

For the record Dickens is my ultimate favourite. But then I'm not 12-13.