Becoming Nicole

The Transformation of an American Family

By: Amy Ellis Nutt

Narrated by: Amy Ellis Nutt

New York Times best seller

The inspiring true story of transgender actor and activist Nicole Maines, whose identical twin brother, Jonas, and ordinary American family join her on an extraordinary journey to understand, nurture, and celebrate the uniqueness in us all.

Nicole appears as TV’s first transgender superhero on CW’s Supergirl

When Wayne and Kelly Maines adopted identical twin boys, they thought their lives were complete. But by the time Jonas and Wyatt were toddlers, confusion over Wyatt’s insistence that he was female began to tear the family apart. In the years that followed, the Maineses came to question their long-held views on gender and identity, to accept Wyatt’s transition to Nicole, and to undergo a wrenching transformation of their own, the effects of which would reverberate through their entire community.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Amy Ellis Nutt spent almost four years reporting this story and tells it with unflinching honesty, intimacy, and empathy. In her hands, Becoming Nicole is more than an account of a courageous girl and her extraordinary family. It’s a powerful portrait of a slowly but surely changing nation, and one that will inspire all of us to see the world with a little more humanity and understanding.

Named one of the 10 Best Books of the Year by People

One of the Best Books of the Year by The New York Times Book Review and Men’s Journal

A Stonewall Honor Book in Nonfiction

Finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Transgender Nonfiction

“Fascinating and enlightening.” (Cheryl Strayed)

“If you aren’t moved by Becoming Nicole, I’d suggest there’s a lump of dark matter where your heart should be.” (The New York Times)

“Exceptional... ‘Stories move the walls that need to be moved,’ Nicole told her father last year. In telling Nicole’s story and those of her brother and parents luminously, and with great compassion and intelligence, that is exactly what Amy Ellis Nutt has done here.” (The Washington Post)

“A profoundly moving true story about one remarkable family’s evolution.” (People)

“Becoming Nicole is a miracle. It’s the story of a family struggling with - and embracing - a transgender child. But more than that, it’s about accepting one another, and ourselves, in all our messy, contradictory glory.” (Jennifer Finney Boylan, former co-chair of GLAAD and author of She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders)

©2015 Amy Ellis Nutt (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Fascinating and enlightening.” (Cheryl Strayed)

“Reading strictly for plot, Becoming Nicole is about a transgender girl who triumphed in a landmark discrimination case.... But the real movement in this book happens internally, in the back caverns of each family member’s heart and mind. Four ordinary and imperfect human beings had to reckon with an exceptional situation, and in so doing also became, in their own modest ways, exceptional.... If you aren’t moved by Becoming Nicole, I’d suggest there’s a lump of dark matter where your heart should be.” (Jennifer Senior, The New York Times)

“Exceptional... ‘Stories move the walls that need to be moved,’ Nicole told her father last year. In telling Nicole’s story and those of her brother and parents luminously, and with great compassion and intelligence, that is exactly what Amy Ellis Nutt has done here.” (The Washington Post)

Everyone should know this story

Nicole’s story is so important to hear and in this book it is very personally told. It creates compassion and understanding of people who are transgendered, as well as family members who support them. The book shares the personal experience of the subjects as well as some scientific and biological information that is explained in a easily understood language. It was easy and enjoyable to listen to.

Beautiful understanding of a family's journey

What made the experience of listening to Becoming Nicole the most enjoyable?

This book is beautifully done. It really captures the story of the child who knows at an extremely early age who he/she is and the complexity of parents trying to understand the situation. And telling the story, it gives an in-depth and upfront understanding of the transgender experience. I found myself rooting for Nicole and her family and hoping that this will turn out to be a happy ending. I was not disappointed. Thank you so much Nicole and the entire family for being willing to share such an important, in depth story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Nicole because of her courage and certainty of who she was

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A child's incredible courage

Any additional comments?

I wish only the highest for this amazing family

great book

this book was very interesting and at times I couldn't stop listening to it. it was well presented.

Moving, enlightening, timely.

This book will help readers understand more about one of the most pressing issues in society today and expand their ideas about the human experience.

Powerful and Insightful!

I am reminded once more of the power of personal story to build bridges that fact alone cannot. For anyone curious or confused or conflicted about what it means to be transgender, this book is a must read! It will open your eyes…and your heart!

An all around great book

I really enjoyed and recommend this book. The balance between personal story inserted with scientific material is excellent. An important read which will bring more tolerance and understanding to this world.

Very informative on a sensitive topic.

Well written combining the clinical information with a personal story. A paradigm shift in perception of what constitutes being male or female.

great for parents

I enjoy the actress and found her story compelling. I work with youth and parents and unfortunately have a few parents whose resistance to reality is harming their children. The science but most of all humanity of this story could reach a few people.

Finding Peace

Thank You for opening my eyes and heart even more and helping me realize I am not alone in my sons journey. This is who my child is and I love him with all my being. Very informative book brought about things I had not thought of yet.

A very special and highly informative read

Where to begin? This book and the Mains family are both extraordinary! For anyone looking to gain insight into gender issues today. I've always believed that the source of bullying children are their parents (or grandparents!) and no where is this more apparent then on the gender divide. There is so much more progress to be made in the realm of educating the masses regarding gender, sexuality and choice or lack thereof. This book takes the reader into the reality and pain in transcending gender bias and reaching harmony for our suffering children who are on the front line of prejudice and intolerance. I am as proud and unabashedly admiring of the Mains family as much as I am ashamed of those Americans who actually believe they are created in the image of God to the exclusion of others. It shocks me to my core. The book goes a long way in bringing the issue of freedom for our beloved LGBTQ community of children. They are ALL our children!