Fiction

My brother’s
name is Jessica
Author Year published Original language

Jhon Boyne 2009 English

Overview & Themes

This absorbing and emotinally charged

Identity revelations and
challenges of acceptance
in family
Empathy and acceptance
book covers topics such as the complexity
of identity, society’s expectations and
family relationships. Centered around the
protagonist (Sam), whose life takes an
unexpected turn when he discovers that
his brother identifies as Jessica.
This book makes us reflect on the impact of
----- understanding and empathy.
------------

This book promotes acceptance in

general. The characters go through
a journey, learning to empathize
with Jessica’s struggles. It extends
beyond the characters of the book,
making us reflect on our own
capacity of understanding.
---------

Transgender experience ----

When Sam discovers that his
brother identifies as Jessica the
narrative of the book starts focusing
------------

on the transgender experience. The

author clearly expresses the
emotional and psychological
challenges that Jessica faced.

Family relationships
The revelation of Jessica’s identity has a big impact on the family
and the narrative shows the struggles that arise. Emotions
range from shock and confusion to acceptance and love. The
book highlights the resilience of familial bonds and how they
can adapt under unconventional circumstances.

My brother’s name is Jessica

By the numbers Symbols

13
Football
Jason (Jessica) was a
very talented footballer
at his co-ed school.
Sam’s Age

17
Makeup
Jessica’s transgender
journey started doing
makeup secretly at
Jessica’s Age home, which she really
enjoyed.

23
Page where jessica
Scrunchie
Jessica used to tie her
long hair up with this
before telling anyone
comes out about her.

242
Page when sam
Clothes
Jessica loved to
cross-dress and
experiment with her
accepts in public jessica appearence, normally after
is her sister the football matches.

Main characters

Sam
An introverted kid with problems to
make friends and dyslexia that
admires his older brother and tries
to understand what is going on. His
behaviour is really childish.

Jessica
Used to be a popular boy in school
with lots of friends and talented at
football but he suffers with identity
issues as she is a girl, she is strong
and brave.

Secondary characters in the book: Mother, Father and the Aunt

“You know, some day, when you’re all older,’ he said, looking around the room,
‘you’re going to have troubles of your own and you’ll have friends who are going
through tough times. Maybe it’ll even be one of your own children. And when
that happens, you’ll look back at the way you’re all behaving now and wonder
whether you might not have been able to show a little more kindness.”
― John Boyne, My Brother's Name is Jessica