Obie Is Man Enough

By: Schuyler Bailar

Narrated by: Schuyler Bailar

A coming-of-age story about transgender tween Obie, who didn't think being himself would cause such a splash. For fans of Alex Gino's George and Lisa Bunker's Felix Yz.

Obie knew his transition would have ripple effects. He has to leave his swim coach, his pool, and his best friends. But it’s time for Obie to find where he truly belongs.

As Obie dives into a new team, though, things are strange. Obie always felt at home in the water, but now he can’t get his old coach out of his head. Even worse are the bullies that wait in the locker room and on the pool deck. Luckily, Obie has family behind him. And maybe some new friends too, including Charlie, his first crush. Obie is ready to prove he can be one of the fastest boys in the water—to his coach, his critics, and his biggest competition: himself.

*Includes a downloadable PDF of the Glossary, Resources, and Further Reading from the end of the book

Critic reviews

"A thoughtful, eventually triumphant story." -Publishers Weekly

"Energizing and compassionate.” –Kirkus Reviews

"Extremely well done and will be a valuable reading experience for all.” –Booklist

A heartfelt coming-of-age tale about a young trans athlete; ­readers will be rooting for ­every one of Obie’s wins, in and out of the pool.” –School Library Journal

"I just met Obie, and I love him SO MUCH. He shows us all how to face our scariest challenges with resolve, humor, grace, and help from those who care about us." —Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medalist and New York Times bestselling author

“Bailar writes with assurance and beauty... His story had me laughing, crying and cheering, sometimes all at once." —Peggy Orenstein, author of Girls & Sex and Boys & Sex

“I guarantee Obie is Man Enough will help countless Youth feel not only valid in their experiences, but also be able to leverage the strength Obie has within their own lives." –Aydian Dowling, transgender activist

“This book will make you laugh, break your heart, and flinch with recognition. I couldn't root hard enough for Obie Chang, a character who stayed with me long after the book was done.” —Marie Myung-Ok Lee, author of The Evening Hero

“A story which hooks you from its first sentence. A bold, honest, and deeply human journey of identity with characters you will fall in love with. Powerful and brave. Everyone should read this book.” —Diane Paulus, Tony Award-winning Director and the Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director of the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University

"Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. Obie Is Man Enough is an amazing narrative that also provides important education on the transgender experience. .. I strongly encourage all people, including advocates who don’t identity within the LGBTQ+ community, to read this book!" —Sander Jennings, he/him, Media Personality & Jazz Jennings's brother

Obie is man enough

Unbelievably good. This is one of the the only books about being transgender that was hopeful and loving. Obie goes through many trials, but the love of the people around him keep him grounded. Obie is transgender, but he is also a POC, an athlete, a student, etc. And all these facets of Obie are fleshed out. Obie is one lucky kid, and I hope many kids who are struggling with gender issues, bullying, or just getting through the day, come across this book. And as Obie's father said of those who do not support transgender people, 'Do not pick up their words to use against yourself'. That, in itself, is worth the world. I loved this book.

Great story, didn’t need the identity politics

I really enjoyed this story as a trans man. I at first expected it to be predictable- but it deviated from a lot of cliches and had a properly nuanced ending. In addition, nothing seemed too unrealistic as to Obie as a character or the things that happened to him. However, I was put off by the rampant identity politics that seems to be the all-too-common narrative in the trans community. Just a reminder that not every trans person is extremely far left.

A beautiful, insightful story for all audiences

As a trans man who transitioned at 27 with little support but with white privilege, I loved this story for many reasons. I loved how it gave me a safe world in which I could have learned the word trans much earlier on in life, in which my parents would have accepted my identity and supported my transition before the permanent effects of the wrong puberty took place, and where some of the other people in my environment including my partner would have respected my identity and not treated me differently. I loved learning about Korean American culture and learning a few words of Korean. I think the Asian American trans masculine experience is an intersection too rarely represented by publishers. I also enjoyed how realistic the characters were—I especially thought Mikey’s speech was very well done and captured the essence of one of my own Latino friends who is always trying to sound cool. I really liked the way the book ended, and I found the transphobic bullying to be fairly representative of the attacks I experience regularly in the local gym, public restrooms, and pretty everywhere else too because I’m feminine for a man but I live in a rural, conservative area where almost no one has even heard of the word trans, and toxic masculinity, racism, misogyny, and cisheterosexism is deeply embedded into the culture. I think this book is an important read for all communities, ages, and audiences, and I will be adding it to the LGBTQ literary collection here at the college I work for. I think any elementary school and high school that actually cares about ALL students (not just white cishet ones) should add this book to their library and make it a part of their English or Sociology curriculum. Thank you, Schuyler, for this wonderful narrative!

Amazing story!!

I thought this was an amazing story!!!!! 100000% would recommend if you are looking for a good coming of age story.