Once a Girl, Always a Boy: A Family Memoir of a Transgender Journey

This important and timely book chronicles one young man’s transgender transition journey and his family’s path to understanding and acceptance. The family memoir is told in journal entries from multiple perspectives, though primarily from the point of view of Ivester (The Outskirts of Hope) and her son Jeremy. Jeremy’s entries were taken from a video journal he created to document his transition. In addition, there are passages focused on Jeremy’s siblings and his father, Jon, that provide insight into the various emotions, questions, and shared experiences that led to their support of Jeremy’s transition to his authentic self. Ivester’s enlightening work is not only about the difficult emotions faced by transgender youth and their families but also includes information on medical, legal, and economic issues related to transitioning. The relaxed, open style of the narrative provides readers with an informative view of transgender people and the many struggles they face. It could also serve as a model for other families searching for acceptance and ways to support their loved one’s transition journey.