Born Ready

The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope

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$17.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Crown Books for Young Readers
24 per carton
On sale Apr 20, 2021 | 9780593123638
Age 4-8 years
Reading Level: Lexile AD480L | Fountas & Pinnell P
Sales rights: World
Jodie Patterson, activist and Chair of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation Board, shares her transgender son's experience in this important picture book about identity and acceptance.

Penelope knows that he's a boy. (And a ninja.) The problem is getting everyone else to realize it.

In this exuberant companion to Jodie Patterson's adult memoir, The Bold World, Patterson shares her son Penelope's frustrations and triumphs on his journey to share himself with the world. Penelope's experiences show children that it always makes you stronger when you are true to yourself and who you really are.
  • SELECTION | 2022
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • SELECTION | 2022
    Kansas National Education Association Reading Circle Catalog
  • SELECTION | 2022
    Notable Books for a Global Society Award
"This representation of a Black family and transgender child shines with joy and affirmation... A triumphant declaration of love and identity." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A heartening true story for children that offers guidance to caretakers." —Publisher's Weekly

Readers will be rooting for Penelope from the first page to the last.” —The Horn Book

Discussion Guide for Born Ready

Provides questions, discussion topics, suggested reading lists, introductions and/or author Q&As, which are intended to enhance reading groups’ experiences.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

About

Jodie Patterson, activist and Chair of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation Board, shares her transgender son's experience in this important picture book about identity and acceptance.

Penelope knows that he's a boy. (And a ninja.) The problem is getting everyone else to realize it.

In this exuberant companion to Jodie Patterson's adult memoir, The Bold World, Patterson shares her son Penelope's frustrations and triumphs on his journey to share himself with the world. Penelope's experiences show children that it always makes you stronger when you are true to yourself and who you really are.

Awards

  • SELECTION | 2022
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • SELECTION | 2022
    Kansas National Education Association Reading Circle Catalog
  • SELECTION | 2022
    Notable Books for a Global Society Award

Praise

"This representation of a Black family and transgender child shines with joy and affirmation... A triumphant declaration of love and identity." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A heartening true story for children that offers guidance to caretakers." —Publisher's Weekly

Readers will be rooting for Penelope from the first page to the last.” —The Horn Book

Guides

Discussion Guide for Born Ready

Provides questions, discussion topics, suggested reading lists, introductions and/or author Q&As, which are intended to enhance reading groups’ experiences.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)