BECOMING NICOLE

by Amy Ellis Nutt
 
While not a memoir, this book takes a very close look at a young woman who was born male and her journey, along with her family, to transition to the gender she was meant to be.
 
Nutt is an outside observer but she artfully captures not only Nicole's (formerly Wyatt's) perspective, but that of her twin brother Jonas and her parents, Karen and Wayne.  Each struggles in his or her own way with accepting and helping Nicole, who began showing signs of her Gender Dysphoria as young as two years old.
 
What’s wonderful about the story being told by an outsider and a journalist is that Nutt weaves in the science of this experience and how it grew over the time Wyatt became Nicole at age 12 (the age she changed her name and dressed exclusively as a female).  She takes it further and explores the politics, particularly as the family gets involved in lobbying the state of Maine for stronger protections for transgendered children.
 
This is a fascinating read full of facts and humanity in equal measure.  The issues facing the trans community are only getting more difficult in many places, and a book like this could do amazing things to bring understanding to those who are fearful or curious or looking for ways to be an ally. (Lily)