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Becoming Nicole
Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family | Amy Ellis Nutt
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY PEOPLE AND ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY MENS JOURNAL A STONEWALL HONOR BOOK IN NONFICTION FINALIST FOR THE LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD FOR TRANSGENDER NONFICTION The inspiring true story of a transgender girl, her identical twin brother, and an ordinary American familys extraordinary journey to understand, nurture, and celebrate the uniqueness in us all, from the Pulitzer Prizewinning science reporter for The Washington Post When Wayne and Kelly Maines adopted identical twin boys, they thought their lives were complete. But it wasnt long before they noticed a marked difference between Jonas and his brother, Wyatt. Jonas preferred sports and trucks and many of the things little boys were supposed to like; but Wyatt liked princess dolls and dress-up and playing Little Mermaid. By the time the twins were toddlers, confusion over Wyatts insistence that he was female began to tear the family apart. In the years that followed, the Maineses came to question their long-held views on gender and identity, to accept and embrace Wyatts transition to Nicole, and to undergo an emotionally wrenching transformation of their own that would change all their lives forever. Becoming Nicole chronicles a journey that could have destroyed a family but instead brought it closer together. Its the story of a mother whose instincts told her that her child needed love and acceptance, not ostracism and disapproval; of a Republican, Air Force veteran father who overcame his deepest fears to become a vocal advocate for trans rights; of a loving brother who bravely stuck up for his twin sister; and of a town forced to confront its prejudices, a school compelled to rewrite its rules, and a courageous community of transgender activists determined to make their voices heard. Ultimately, Becoming Nicole is the story of an extraordinary girl who fought for the right to be herself. Granted wide-ranging access to personal diaries, home videos, clinical journals, legal documents, medical records, and the Maineses themselves, Amy Ellis Nutt spent almost four years reporting this immersive account of an American family confronting an issue that is at the center of todays cultural debate. Becoming Nicole will resonate with anyone whos ever raised a child, felt at odds with societys conventions and norms, or had to embrace life when it plays out unexpectedly. Its a story of standing up for your beliefs and yourselfand it will inspire all of us to do the same. Praise for Becoming Nicole A profoundly moving true story about one remarkable familys evolution.People Fascinating and enlightening.Cheryl Strayed Exceptional . . . Stories move the walls that need to be moved, Nicole told her father last year. In telling Nicoles story and those of her brother and parents luminously, and with great compassion and intelligence, that is exactly what Amy Ellis Nutt has done.The Washington Post If you arent moved by Becoming Nicole, Id suggest theres a lump of dark matter where your heart should be.Jennifer Senior, The New York Times Extraordinary . . . a wonderful and inspiring story.Minneapolis Star Tribune A downright necessary bookand a remarkable act of generosity by the Maines family.BuzzFeed From the Hardcover edition.
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TiminCalifornia
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Pickpick

This book is not only about Nicole‘s childhood as a transgender girl (assigned male at birth), it‘s about her entire family‘s experience of life as Nicole affirms her identity and strives to live her truth. Very moving and told with honesty and kindness, even for persons in their lives who were unkind.

My mom‘s bookclub read this and after my mom shared how reading this resonated with her as the mother of an adult trans child. I love my mom.❤️

Megabooks 💜💜💜 3y
40 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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tholmz
Pickpick

Fantastic reporting and very respectfully done. I loved finishing this and looking Nicole up to check on her — I had no idea she‘s an actress. 🥰

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jessinikkip
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Pickpick

This was a realistic look at what it is like to grow up transgender. Jonas and Wyatt are twin boys but Wyatt from age 2 KNOWS he is a girl. Its her story of becoming Nicole, the girl she knows she is. I took notes and plan to gift this to my therapist Wednesday

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Amiable
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It‘s Friday night, I‘m now on vacation, I don‘t have to set my alarm clock for the next 10 days, and my e-reader is loaded. I don‘t know how it‘s possible to be more content than I am at this moment.

Tamra ☺️ 5y
MicheleinPhilly Enjoy! I too am now on vacation and I am positively GIDDY. 5y
Sace Enjoy! 5y
See All 6 Comments
BarbaraTheBibliophage Enjoy! My vacay starts Tuesday ... can‘t wait! 5y
Tanisha_A Sameeee! What a feeling! 5y
BarbaraBB I feel the same! Enjoy 💕 5y
58 likes6 comments
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Amiable
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Day 16 for #adventrecommends ... Wayne and Kelly Maines adopted identical twin boys. But they soon noticed a difference between them: one preferred sports and trucks and the other liked princess dolls and dress-up. And he insisted he was a girl. This is the true story of a transgender girl, her identical twin brother, and how their parents questioned their long-held views on gender and identity on their journey to acceptance.

60 likes3 stack adds
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Deblovestoread
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#BookReport I finished Lilli de Jong which started out flat for me but picked up. 3 1/2 ⭐️I also finished the audio version of HP and the Goblet of Fire 5🌟. #WeeklyForecast. Finish Anne, hope to make good progress on Hild and read Becoming Nicole. This last week was a very slow reading week. I hope this coming week is better as I‘m looking forward to #wintergames beginning Dec 1st. @Cinfhen

kspenmoll I live #wintergames too! 5y
Amiable The tagged book is so good, isn't it? I also read “Hild“ a few years ago and did like it, although it was a bit dense in parts. 5y
Cinfhen I‘m kind of glad I put aside the Lilli book....I wasn‘t in the right mood for it. Looks like you have some good reads coming up. 5y
33 likes3 comments
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JacqMac
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Pickpick

This book is fantastic. Our daughter came out to us after struggling for many years. I had so many conflicting emotions, I did what I always do, and tried to find support and information in books. This book had it all. In addition to Nicole‘s fascinating story, it also includes a lot of history and science. It‘s exactly what I needed to help me, help my new daughter, and our family, with the changes and struggles that are ahead.

alisiakae I love this book! Have you seen her Ted Talk? 5y
JacqMac @4thhouseontheleft I have not, but I will look for it. Thanks! 5y
MicheleinPhilly I picked this up years ago. I really must read it. I had no idea she is now an actress! 5y
JacqMac @MicheleinPhilly We love her on Supergirl! 5y
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Soubhiville
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Pickpick

I loved this informative and heartfelt book. The focus on Nicole and her family throughout her childhood and teen years while providing tons of history about trans rights and the legal struggles to protect trans children and people of all ages was perfectly balanced. So much factual info without being at all dry or boring. Highly recommended!

#queerbooks #strongkids

80 likes2 stack adds
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Soubhiville
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Enjoying a little outside reading before I have to get dinner made. It‘s lovely in the shade, I‘m getting a few mosquito bites but it‘s worth it. Perfect way to wind down after a busy weekend.

This book is so good! I stayed up hours past my bedtime last night reading, without even realizing how late it had gotten. I can‘t remember the last time I did that!

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Soubhiville
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Another book that‘s been in my kindle for ages! I‘m reading it finally for #LittenLoveBingo #LLB19 : From @BookishMarginalia ‘s TBR stack 😊

Also for #LitsyAtoZ, #LetterN for author.

#queerbooks #diversebooks

AmyG Very good book. 6y
alisiakae This is a great book. 6y
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ELH
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Pickpick

An important book.

Amiable I loved this book 🥰 6y
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Coleen
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For those of you who‘ve read this book (I read it last year).....did you know that Nicole Maines is now a regular on the TV series Supergirl? I was flipping through channels and just happened to see & recognize her. Wow!

CouronneDhiver Really? I would have never made that connection 👍🏽 6y
20 likes1 comment
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Amiable
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Pickpick

An account of a transgender girl born as an identical twin to her brother, and adopted by a couple in Maine. It details the family‘s journey to acceptance and understanding of gender and identity and rights. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars

AmyG Agreed. Very good book. 6y
Amiable @AmyG Of course! Because Amys have great taste. 😉 6y
AmyG 👊🏻 6y
66 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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shmreads

Posted something on Becoming Nicole. It was a great read!
https://maythebestbookwin.wordpress.com/2018/11/02/read-becoming-nicole-the-tran...

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sprainedbrain
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Pickpick

Excellent book! Nonfiction is not my favorite, and that‘s probably why I have put this off so long, but this one was good. Straightforward, well-written story of a family and the way they support each other through a challenging situation. Nicole was born a boy, but knew from age 2 that she was a girl. The writing is journalistic, but still managed to evoke all of the feels. I absolutely lost it at the daddy-daughter dance. 😭

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

CouronneDhiver I liked this one too. Not my usual topic of reading, by any means, but still interesting 6y
Amiable Oh, I loved this book. So interesting. 6y
107 likes9 stack adds2 comments
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josie281
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She‘s been wanting to read this as soon as it was assigned to me for my last class. This is my non-reader of the kids. If it‘s non fiction, it has a chance! #roadtrip #raisingreaders 🌈 ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🏳️‍🌈

DocBrown How did it go? 6y
josie281 She found it intriguing and really liked it. 6y
57 likes1 stack add2 comments
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josie281
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Pickpick

I fell in love with the Maines family. And my school supplies match the cover= BONUS

alisiakae This is such a good book. Have you seen Nicole‘s Tedx talk? 6y
josie281 I just saw that @4thhouseontheleft !! 6y
58 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Lindsy
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My February wrap-up. I actually read all the books on my TBR which never happens #bulletjournal

Chelleo Cute! 7y
Lindsy @Chelleo thanks! 7y
Mdargusch Yay! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 7y
18 likes3 comments
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ShariEstaLeando
Mehso-so

Important and compelling, although I didn‘t love the writing, which at times felt choppy and at other times, just skimmed the surface. I‘ll pass it on to colleagues in the education field, though.

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Coleen
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Pickpick

This was an enlightening story for me, and I really enjoyed it. Though well written, I think I may have enjoyed it even more had Nicole written it herself, as it was missing that personal, emotional element that may have tied it together even more effectively. Still, I‘d love to see or meet her someday.

AmyG I read this, too. She is one, strong young lady. Perhaps she willwrite a book one day of her journey. I definitely would read that. 7y
26 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Jess7
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#BecomingNicole chronicles the difficult journey of a mother who knew her child needed love and acceptance, not ostracism and disapproval; of an a father who overcame his deepest fears to become a vocal advocate for transgender rights; of a brother who bravely stuck up for his twin sister; and of a town forced to confront its prejudices. Ultimately, it is the story of a girl who fought for the right to be herself. #TBR #AugustLibrary17 🌈 #Rainbow

alisiakae I read Becoming Nicole last year, it's a great book. 7y
MicheleinPhilly I just picked this up on super sale for Kindle. Looking forward to it. 7y
bookaholic1 EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU was a superb read 7y
101 likes6 stack adds3 comments
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DocBrown
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Rereading this for a course I'm teaching. Which cover do you prefer? I think the one with her twin is infinitely better. It alludes more to the impact on her family, and it's also suggestive of the transition she made.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I haven't read this one yet, but yes the twin cover is very good. (edited) 8y
12 likes1 stack add1 comment
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readtheworld
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Today is Transgender Day of Visibility, and we're recommending Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family. Written by a Pulitzer Prize-winning science reporter, it is a nuanced and inspiring portrait of a family who fought relentlessly for their daughter's rights.

#bookrec #transdayofvisibility #transvisibility

28 likes2 stack adds
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saguarosally
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#lgbtq keynote upcoming at #TFOB #tucsonfestivalofbooks #tfoblive

Interested in what's happening at TFOB? I'm Litsying live from Tucson today and tomorrow. Catch more outtakes on my Instagram Stories at saguarosally ! #litsylive

Books4brittany I thought about going but this year's author line up has been disappointing 😔 8y
Mindyrecycles You got around! I went to exactly one panel. 8y
35 likes2 comments
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saguarosally
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Just got some of my #TFOB tickets! 👍🏽

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ABookishHart
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I don't recall ever reading a book where I share the MCs name. I couldn't come across any authors either so I went to my #tbr list and found this. Definitely need to read it soon. #riotgrams #authororcharacterwhoshareyourname

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saguarosally
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It's fascinating. I don't yet know what to think. Can I wrap my head around such huge and permanent changes as gender being made with such young people?

RadicalReader @saguarosally it is a remarkable journey to witness and see the entire journey with the emotions go from one to a hundred 8y
26 likes1 comment
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Alicia
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Littens....what wonderful nonfiction do I read next???! I have a Book Club for This Is An Uprising in two weeks but I know I'll be able to read another and finish before then. Help! I can't decide. I'm leaning towards Becoming Nicole...let me know in the comments! #tbr #whatdoireadnext #allthebooks

Joybishoptx I vote Becoming Nicole. Haven't read it but I want to. 8y
Alicia @Joybishoptx I went with this one and it's great so far! 8y
43 likes2 comments
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Melmar
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This has made me so much more aware of how uncomfortable life might be for someone not born to what society deems acceptable and normal. #spreadlove #acceptance

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rachellayown
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I've enjoyed everyone's #setinasmalltown posts and am throwing in a nonfiction pick- BECOMING NICOLE (which also could work for an #inspiring read). I love Nicole and her family! This is a great book if anyone is looking for something for #nonfictionnovember.

8little_paws Great choice! 8y
52 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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KimM
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So. I currently live in North Carolina. Home of HB2, where numerous organizations and businesses have boycotted the state. It's been pretty embarrassing for the state no matter what side you're on. After watching the gubernatorial debate I can only say that what this state and this whole country needs is to read more, to learn about other cultures, other people, other lifestyles. Now I understand much more about transgender kids. Great book!

LiteraryinPA It's on my TBR list. Glad you liked it! 8y
26 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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DocBrown
Pickpick

Capably written, a straightforward account of one family's recent -- and ongoing -- journey. Author does a great job in generating more light than heat on a sensitive and still-controversial subject.

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Bry
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Pickpick

This was a very accessible and straight-forward description of a family dealing with a transgender daughter. I appreciated the overview of the biology of gender and sexuality and would recommend it to anyone interested in learning about transgender issues. It felt a bit emotionally detached though.

Ian If you want something more emotional on the topic the YA novel If I Was Your Girl just came out & it is excellent 8y
Bry @Ian Thanks! I went to go add it to my stack and realized it was already there, so yes, I'll definitely get to it at some point. 8y
11 likes2 comments
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Ehbooklover
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Pickpick

An emotional, thought-provoking, and enlightening read about a very brave young transgender girl's journey towards acceptance. It is very relevant in light of current issues in today's news and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more.

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BestOfFates
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❤️❤️Book Mail❤️❤️ (I tend to read from the library, then buy books I loved, so only Roots and Watson & Holmes Vol.2 to read!)

brendanmleonard Book mail yayyyyyy! 8y
DivineDiana Impressive! 📚 8y
TheNextBook Roots! 8y
BestOfFates @TheNextBook I thought I'd get caught up before watching the miniseries! 8y
35 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Adventuresbetweenpages
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I'm 9 chapters in and really enjoying this book.

2 likes1 stack add
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KateTheBookworm
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Pickpick

Becoming Nicole is not only an authentic look at the journey of a transgendered girl and her family, but also a deeply inspiring book about acceptance and learning to be your best self. I highly recommend it to any and all.

29 likes6 stack adds
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KateTheBookworm
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I've just started this one. It's the true story of a transgender girl, her twin brother, and their parents as they journey through Nicole's transition. Seems particularly relevant now with transgender rights coming into the forefront of cultural conversation.

kgriffith They're local to me :) 9y
Megabooks I've been wanting to read this. 9y
KateTheBookworm @GlitterFemme Small world! Have you read this one yet? @Ebooksandcooks it's good so far. I'm only about two chapters in. 9y
kgriffith I've not yet, though I've had my copy for a few months and Nicole and Wayne both signed it at an even a month or so ago. It's on my list! 9y
BooksForEmpathy It's so good!! I loved this one and Nicole and her mom's relationship is one of such strength and unconditional love. Some of the father's words at the end will make you cry ❤️. 9y
21 likes7 stack adds5 comments