Book Reviews

 

 

 

     In "Trading Places", this author aptly points out that this is her story - the journey of a mother losing her son while gaining a daughter - only to eventually come to understand that the daughter was always within. While no one can truly conceptualize this experience unless faced with this personal reality, this well-written book offers valuable insight for any parent who has a child experiencing gender dysphoria.

     The author provides excellent information on a subject that most of us know little about. I found it both interesting and enlightening to read of the biological factors associated with gender dysphoria and look forward to the continued research in this field. In the chapter, "Queer Clarification" she also shares the myriad of labels used within this domain and helps sort them out for the lay person.

                                                                         –Excerpt from the Amazon review by “V” 

 

     Every time a T friend posts something about their parents not accepting them I post the book link.

                                                                         –Julia Music, Event Chairperson, Ferndale Pride

 

 

    As trans issues come out of the shadows and into the light, When Our Son Became a Daughter shines as a beacon of hope. But this is not just a ‘GLBT’ book – it should be read by anyone with any connection to the human spirit.

                         –Dan Woog, author, Friends and Family: True Stories of Gay America’s Straight Allies

 

 

     I stayed up very late last night reading your entire book. I must tell you that it is one of the most honest books I have ever read about a mother going through a very difficult time in her family's life and coming out with her and her family stronger than before.

     You have created a work that will surpass the goal of providing information for parents of other gender-challenging issues, for there is universal appeal in your description of any parent coming to terms with any challenging issue involving her/his children, and how it affects all of those around them-extended family, friends and the rest of the community.

                                                                         –Jerrold H. Weinberg, M.D.

 

 

     During my reading of Jane Baker's book, the description that popped into my head most often was "powerful." This book is so informative on gender issues while also weaving a very emotional personal story about coping, researching, challenging and ultimately accepting a once hidden reality in the author's child. I could hardly put the book down. It is so well written and thorough in covering the experience that she lived through that it should be invaluable for other families as well as educators and clinicians who are dealing with transsexual issues.
                                                                         –Posted on Amazon by Artist33

 

 

     It is an inside look at an emotionally packed experience and I appreciate how carefully Jane Baker kept track of her personal journey. I also appreciate that when she returned to her earliest ideas and feelings, with more experience and knowledge under her belt, she resisted the temptation to gloss over some of her clumsier moments when she was struggling with her daughter's news. It was an honest portrayal of a difficult time and a wonderful account of an adult's ability to grow even when one isn't particularly ready for it. I also enjoy her daughter's frank comments about the same subject, from an entirely different perspective.

                                                                         –Posted on Goodreads by Susan Russick

 

 

     Many different people will come away from reading Trading Places with an assortment of insights and pieces of knowledge. It will expand most readers' growing edges. For me, courage is the profound message. Courage for Sarah to be true to herself, courage for you to share your story.

    When I taught fourth grade I put a quote on the overhead for my students to copy at the beginning of each day.. If I was still in the classroom I would include these words of Sarah, "...I knew that I could do nothing more than continue to steadfastly express the truth about my self." 

                                                                        –Email from a retired fourth grade teacher

 

 

    Jane Baker's courageous account of her family's journey is so deeply personal that, having read it, I feel like I have known her for a very long time. This book is well-written for the average reader with an interest or a need for information in both the social-emotional as well as factual aspects of the topic. Trading Places is well-researched, giving validity to a situation that is occurring with increasing frequency.

                                                                       –Posted by Amazon reviewer Jean L.

 

 

     An honest and well written book about a transgender child by a mother who experienced the journey. Educational, informative and emotional. Highly recommended for anyone who knows a transsexual person and especially for those who do not.

                                                                       –Posted on Goodreads by Jim

 

 

    This book convinced me that gender dissonance is a medical condition, and that we should treat it as such. I feel that it is tragic when a child is born in a body which prevents him or her from leading a more fulfilling life - a heart defect or cleft palate, for example. But good news when medical treatments cure the condition. What I got from this book is that we have things turned around when viewing the transgender person’s decision to undergo the transformation as sad and tragic. Being born into a body which doesn’t match the mind is the real tragedy.
    This book also encouraged me to think more about the concept of identity and how to understand changes in it. Having known people who have transitioned, one a personal friend, the other a well-respected associate and friend at work, I felt, as the author has validated, a loss after each transformation. I feel that I will have to remember these friends as they were before and after their transformations in the same sense as I remember anyone I’ve known for a long time – for example: someone as both a child and as the adult they are now. I’ll just have to adapt better to the sudden changes.

    I had expected to hear many tales of sadness and anguish as the family faced the intolerance or hatred of closed minded people. But not so much. I think this will be reassuring to the parents who are at the beginning of the journey. But I have to believe that the success stories of the “coming out” disclosures had a lot to do with the author’s strategies and approaches to the subject.

    I really liked the frank manner in which the author addresses the rights and status of transgender people in the context of public policy and religious dogma. She does not hold back in naming names of the politicians who clearly have no psychological or medical or scientific qualifications; but who want to exclude transgender people, by law, from having the same civil rights as the rest of us.

    The author has clearly articulated the story of a difficult process. Those unfortunate parents, friends or family who expect to be travelling a similar path will certainly benefit from reading this book.

                                                                       –Excerpt from the Amazon review by JAG

 

 

    Jane Baker gave birth to and raised a son only to learn twenty years later she had a daughter. As the poet wrote, Jane did not go gentle into that good night. This book is her story of transition as well as her daughter's.

    Jane provides insight into the emotions and feelings of family members as both transitions progressed. It is open and honest and quite informative. Whether you know someone going through the experience or just want to learn more about transgender, this book is worth the read.

                                                                       –Posted on Amazon by BJLamb

 

 

     Working in the field where I come into contact with many transgender individuals I read this book to give me more insight into a family's journey when "Trading Places". . . This heartfelt book not only shares deep emotions of a family, but can be used to educate and enlighten individuals regarding transsexualism. I highly recommend this book for any one who has the privilege to know someone who is or has transitioned or is struggling to understand themselves. I have gained so much insight that will guide me in supporting and helping the many families I work with. I know that I now understand transsexualism at a very different level than before reading this heartfelt book about a family who "Traded Places". Thank you Jane and Sarah.

                                                                      –Posted on Amazon by JLP