Some Assembly Required: The Not-So-Secret Life of a Transgender Teen

(Hardback)

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Description

Seventeen-year-old Arin Andrews shares all the hilarious, painful, and poignant details of undergoing gender reassignment as a high school student in this winning memoir.

Weve all felt uncomfortable in our own skin at some point, and weve all been told that its just a part of growing up. But for Arin Andrews, it wasnt a phase that would pass. He had been born in the body of a girl and there seemed to be no relief in sight.

In this revolutionary memoir, Arin details the journey that led him to make the life-transforming decision to undergo gender reassignment as a high school junior. In his captivatingly witty, honest voice, Arin reveals the challenges he faced as a girl, the humiliation and anger he felt after getting kicked out of his private school, and all the changesboth mental and physicalhe experienced once his transition began. Arin also writes about the thrill of meeting and dating a young transgender woman named Katie Rain Hilland the heartache that followed after they broke up.

Some Assembly Required is a true coming-of-age story about knocking down obstacles and embracing family, friendship, and first love. But more than that, it is a reminder that self-acceptance does not come ready-made with a manual and spare parts. Rather, some assembly is always required.

Reviews

This is a brave book that handles complicated and sensitive topics honestly and, at times, with humor. * Publishers Weekly *
[A] plainspoken and sometimes humorous memoirbackground information about societal gender expectations and physical transition processes fit in easily among typical teenage concerns like love, heartbreak and prom. Friendly and informative. * Kirkus Reviews *
How do you begin to understand who you are when you dont even know the word for it, and no one else in your community does either Arin Andrews has found the words now, and theyre poignant and startling. * Ellen Wittlinger, award-winning author of Parrotfish, Hard Love and Love & Lies. *
Arins gutsy and important coming-of-age memoir is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt alone, marginalized, or other. Sad, funny, and completely real. * Susan Kuklin, author and photographer of Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out *
"[Arin Andrews] writes frankly and bravely about his transition and romantic relationships. This nonfiction account...is enlightening." * School Library Journal *
"Teens will feel for [Arin], root for him, and learn a lot about the costs and complexities of gender transition." * VOYA *

Author Bio

Arin Andrews is a speaker and advocate for the LGBTQ community, as well as the author Some Assembly Required. He lives in Oklahoma. Visit him on YouTube (RockClimber712), Instagram (@ArinAndrews), and Twitter (@Arin_Andrews).