This Book is Gay by James (or Juno) Dawson
Short Summary
This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson is a bold, funny, conversational guide to understanding what it means to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, or anywhere under the LGBTQ+ umbrella. Written for teens but incredibly useful for parents too, it covers culture, identity, coming out, stereotypes, relationships, and sex in a way that is accessible, cheeky, and packed with practical information.
Age Group
Suitable for children aged 14 to 17 years.
Topics Discussed
LGBTQIA+ Kids
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Buy a copy of This Book is Gay by James (or Juno) Dawson from Amazon.
What this book is about
- This Book Is Gay is a big, chatty, teen-friendly guide written by Juno Dawson, a trans woman who originally published under the name James Dawson. You may see either name on older editions.
- The book mixes humour, personal stories, and real-life advice to help readers understand what it means to be part of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s intentionally light, engaging, and beginner-friendly.
- Early chapters explore orientation, stereotypes, language, and how people figure out whether they’re gay, with flowcharts, graphs, and illustrations sprinkled throughout to make the content less intimidating.
- It covers the cultural side of being LGBTQ+ – the slang, the jokes, the history, and the shared experiences that help people feel less alone.
- Coming out is covered in depth, with helpful advice and personal reflections from the author and others.
- The book doesn’t shy away from sex, including what happens in same-sex encounters. It explains safer sex practices, attraction, intimacy, and the realities of dating while queer.
- Topics like religion, discrimination, bullying, mental health, and navigating relationships with family and friends are explored honestly and accessibly.
- While the book includes a lot of solid information, it does lean toward a male perspective at times, and its handling of transgender and intersex identities reflects the language and awareness of 2014 rather than today.
- Despite those limitations, it remains a helpful starting point for parents who want to understand the basics of LGBTQ+ culture, common experiences, and the challenges minority groups often face.
- Teens will find it funny, reassuring, and validating. Parents will find it eye-opening, informative, and helpful for supporting their child or simply expanding their understanding.
I hope you find this book review helpful!
Happy talking!
❤️ Cath