Athlete Is Agender » Marieke Nijkamp

Cover art: Jess Vosseteig

Athlete is agender. Athlete can mean anyone. This incredible collection revels in the achievements of strong, passionate, and determined queer athletes across every age, level, and field of sports.

Find your strength in…

Adam Rippon’s unbelievable journey from figure-skating Olympic alternate to the first openly gay Olympic medalist in his sport.
CeCé Telfer’s career as a trans track star and her unwavering commitment to run for the future freedom of trans athletes.
em dickson’s relationship to eir gender identity and how sailing, a sport that doesn’t categorize athletes by gender, helped em embrace eir power and identity.

…and many other invaluable true stories.

Featuring testimonies by world-class athletes and award-winning children’s book authors, as well as profiles on culture-defining figures like Megan Rapinoe and Billie Jean King, Athlete Is Agender is a lifesaving book not to be missed.

This book is for:
·         LGBTQIA+ kids, teens, tweens, and adults
·         Athletes and sports fans
·         Readers looking to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community
·         Parents of gay kids and other LGBTQIA+ youth
·         Educators looking for advice about the LGBTQIA+ community

Marieke’s essay: tba

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Preorder your copy of Athlete Is Agender at any of the following places (and wherever books are sold):
ISBN-10: 0316572004 | ISBN-13: 978-0316572002

Christy Ottaviano Books

Blackwell’s

Publishers

Reviews

Content Warnings

English Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books

☙ ATHLETE IS AGENDER is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection.

[I]n this affirming sports assemblage (…) the creators present discussions of identity and togetherness, and how these ideals were fostered, alongside painful challenges surrounding puberty, particularly for nonbinary and transgender athletes.
— Publishers Weekly, starred review

Locke and Melleby deliver a high interest, meaningful, and hopeful title about athletes and sports. (…) Most poignant is the messaging about sports bringing joy and inner strength to all athletes and that sports are for everyone, no matter what their identity. (…) A must-purchase not just for sports fans but any reader looking for hope and stories of belonging.
— School Library Journal, starred review

Part memoir, part manifesto. . . The overall tone is inclusive and reassuring, and a common theme is how being on teams created a sense of belonging for people who felt uncomfortable in their assigned societal roles (especially as kids). This inspirational compilation will surely resonate with many.
— Booklist

While many of these essays are largely hopeful and inspiring, the work doesn’t avoid difficult topics. (…) These stories from people with diverse backgrounds and identities reinforce the importance of having safe spaces to pursue one’s passion for sports. (…) Readers will learn about the barriers and sense of belonging queer people face in pursuing athletics and the importance of representation. (…) Authentically illustrates the challenges and hope LGBTQ+ athletes find in the world of sports.
— Kirkus

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For Marieke’s story:
– Transphobia

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