March 1, 2024
Stories and information about chest binding from university researcher Peitzmeier and award-winning author/illustrator Kobabe, who's known for Gender Queer: A Memoir (2019). Through anonymized, illustrated interviews, female-assigned people of various ages, races, and genders share their experiences with chest binding. Within these meaningful personal stories, they touch upon issues of mental health and describe how binding has made them feel more at ease in their bodies, as well as some of the physical issues that can arise when binding. The authors approach the topic from a harm-reduction standpoint, providing advice on ways to minimize these problems without giving up binding entirely. This book is a valuable resource for people who bind or want to bind, and the stories are full of snippets of wisdom, such as never to use ACE bandages or plastic wrap. Unfortunately, the last third of the book, which is dedicated to offering direct advice, does not thoroughly compile the information discussed earlier in the stories: The content is excellent, but the presentation is disorganized, with self-reflection worksheets, brief tips, advice in comic format, data, and simple physical exercises all thrown together, making the book difficult to use as a reference work. For example, Kobabe and Peitzmeier suggest choosing a binding method that is "kinder to your body" or trying a different style of binder, but readers must rely on self-reflection or comb through the interviews to determine exactly how to follow this advice. A realistic, affirming guide to binding. (Graphic nonfiction. 14-adult)
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April 15, 2024
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Breathe is a short but powerful, important work. Award-winning author Kobabe and researcher Peitzmeier have teamed up to produce an earnest, beautiful, and informative book combining personal narratives, self-exploration, and healthy advice. The book opens with a series of personal narratives, compiled from participant accounts in Peitzmeier's research, that outline a variety of experiences and emotions surrounding binding and each person's history with it. Next, the narrator figures walk readers through sections of tips for healthier binding, worksheets and journaling prompts for readers to chart their own journey, and illustrated stretching instructions. The writers emphasize that the greatest risks associated with binding can be avoided by parents providing their trans or nonbinary children with support, health professionals affirming their patients and keeping up with research on trans health care, and generally destigmatizing conversations about binding and improving access to binders so no one feels they have to resort to using Ace bandages or plastic wrap to minimize their dysphoria. Kobabe's art and the conversational tone create a very approachable book while also including references to Peitzmeier's published papers for those interested in more in-depth, scholarly reading. A unique, thoughtful, and evidence-based book perfect for individuals of any age considering binding or for readers interested in understanding the practice more thoroughly.
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Starred review from May 1, 2024
Gr 9 Up-With simple and direct clarity in both image and text, this nonfiction graphic novel delivers pertinent information about safe and unsafe breast binding practices and experiences. Coauthored by Kobabe (Gender Queer: A Memoir) and public health epidemiologist Peitzmeier, who is also an assistant professor at the University of Michigan, this short but detailed book is based on interviews with an array of individuals who practice binding currently or at some point in their lives. These binding stories explore motivations and social and psychological experiences by each person when binding, and specific health issues arising from unsafe methods. The individuals featured throughout the book's artwork represent an array of ages, races, and body types. Back matter provides guidance for would-be binders, including discussion of safe and unsafe binding gear, mood tracking and other charting suggestions, exercises for staying healthy, and how to map a personal binding journey. VERDICT This is an essential purchase for all secondary and public library collections as it provides health information in a readily accessible manner that is otherwise difficult to find in science-based resources.-Francisca Goldsmith
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