Adriana's LGBTQ Book Review

                                   

All I Want To Be is a gender creative/diverse story book that is written by Phyllis Rothblatt. This a very well written book that addresses LGBTQ issues. “Don’t call me he, don’t call me she. Don’t assume who I must be. All I want to be is me,” are some of the most moving words throughout the book. Many people see this child as a girl with long red hair, who is athletic and enjoys sports. Most people think she is a boy and she accepts that. Since the age of 2, this child feels different. One day, her grandmother tries to get her a dress. She tells her Grandmother that her new name is Pete and her Grandma gives her a shocking and scared look. She then smiles at her and tells her that she doesn’t care. She accepts her as she is.  

At school Pete is bullied, hurt, pushed and teased for being “different.” Pete is a courageous child filled with strength and resiliency. This child wants to have the liberty to be herself without being judged. She doesn’t want to be placed in a box of the person she should be. Overall, this book is terrific and presents very important issues and real feelings children go through when discovering their identity and who they really are in a world filled with judgment. I recommend this book 100%!