REVIEW: Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family

Nonfiction by Amy Ellis Nutt

My favorite book so far in 2016 is Becoming Nicole by Amy Ellis Nutt, who is also a science writer for the Washington Post. This book is a very well written nonfiction account of twins – both born as boys – one of whom knows at a very early age that he/she is different. Even before the age of three, Wyatt (now Nicole) insisted that he wasn’t supposed to be a boy, but rather a girl. His parents, especially his father, insist that yes, he is a boy, but Wyatt is quite sure that he isn’t.

This is the story of the challenges that lay ahead for the whole family. The twins’ father had already imagined taking his sons out with him to hunt and fish as soon as they were old enough, and he is utterly confused by Wyatt’s interests in playing dress-up and Barbies. Classmates seem to have little problem with accepting Wyatt as a girl, but other adults cause problems at the children’s school.

I was impressed at the love of this family in facing the challenges together, and accepting each other for who they really are.

–Lua Wells, Mount Pleasant Regional Library, Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Find this and similar titles at Charleston County Public Library. To learn more or to place a hold, visit www.ccpl.org or call 843-805-6930.