BODY TALK

Although we often take them for granted, our bodies—no matter what they look like, how we feel about them, or how others feel about them—are inherently political.

This anthology edited by Jensen contains a series of personal essays describing experiences that defined the authors’ relationships with their bodies. Avid young adult readers will recognize popular authors like I.W. Gregorio, who, in her capacity as a urologist, answers frequently asked questions about penises; Anna-Marie McLemore, who writes about struggling to get a diagnosis for their severe dysmenorrhea; Eric Smith, who discusses puberty and facial hair; and Alex Gino and Julie Murphy, who reflect on their evolving relationships with fatness. The book also includes narratives from celebrities like gold-medal–winning gymnast Aly Raisman, model Tyra Banks, musician and free-bleeding marathon runner Kiran/Madame Gandhi, and trans rights activist Gavin Grimm. Each author fully and impressively engages with their intersecting identities and the ways in which these intersections affect the way their bodies are treated by society. Taken together with short FAQ sections that address everything from the difference between body positivity and fat acceptance to respectful terms to use when discussing disability, the anthology is a comprehensive, compulsively readable guide to growing into our bodies in a politically fraught world.

A thoughtful, well-rounded anthology featuring diverse voices speaking out on essential topics.