: Maia Kobabe maintains that the scenes are necessary to fully explain how gender identity impacts every facet of an adult's life. Kobabe views the challenges as an attack on free speech and the freedom of information . Impact and Recognition

The controversy primarily stems from the book's presence in middle and high school libraries. Opponents often label the work as "pornographic" or "sexually explicit" due to specific illustrations of sexual fantasies and medical exams.

Maia Kobabe’s graphic memoir, , has become a central figure in the contemporary debate over free speech, education, and LGBTQ+ representation in the United States. Since its release in 2019, the book has transitioned from a critically acclaimed autobiography to the most challenged title in American libraries, according to the American Library Association. Overview of the Memoir

: It received the 2020 ALA Alex Award for adult books with special appeal to young adults and a Stonewall Book Award Honor .

: Groups have protested at school board meetings, such as in Downers Grove, Illinois , arguing that the imagery is inappropriate for minors.