Kisses for Jet

In 1999, when most people think that the world is about to end with the Y2K crash on the eve of the new Millennium, Jet is just trying to get through high school. When their Mom moves to another country to work on fixing the Millennium bug, Jet is forced to stay at a boarding house while they finish the school year, and they’re not pleased about it. But something’s not quite right, and it’s not just the out-of-control kids that Jet has to live with, or the staff who look after the boarding house who act super suspiciously. As Jet slowly starts to feel overwhelmed by their peers, they begin to notice that they don’t feel like the other girls in their class. As new feelings start to emerge, Jet slowly begins to realise that they may be more of a boy than a girl. Is that even possible? And who do they talk to about these feelings when there’s not even any internet around, and cell phones are barely used? This coming-of-gender graphic novel debut from trans creator Joris Bas Backer is an enlightening and often hilarious tale that casts light on what it was like to be transgender before information and help was more accessible and widespread.

Beautiful two-tone illustrations bring this visually arresting tale to life Will appeal to a range of readers, both young and old who are curious about gender identity, LGBTQI+ issues and transitioning. It has a comforting ending that inspires hope and positivity for the future of inclusivity and new norms. Looks at discovering gender identity from a unique viewpoint that hasn’t been used before. Exploring what it meant to be trans before the internet was available is something that will resonate with a lot of readers and provides an insight into what it was like before information was so readily available.

“"Kisses for Jet is a sensitively written, beautifully-illustrated depiction of a trans-masculine experience so rarely shown in media...a huge step forward for trans representation." - Jake Hall, Author of The Art of Drag”

A nuanced look into the life of a trans teen by a trans author and illustrator. Buzzfeed
A warm, funny, lived-in book that captures exactly the feeling of having a desire you just can't place, and the relief when you manage to crack it wide open. -- Mattie Lunchansky The Nib
I really loved Kisses for Jet, an important story that I thought was wonderfully honest and beautifully told. -- Eleanor Crewes

Joris Bas Backer grew up in The Hague, Bucharest, New York and in an uninviting Dutch city called Oegstgeest. His work deals with the topics of longing, identity, gender dysphoria and gender roles. Since achieving his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam in 2003, Joris has lived in Berlin and works independently as an artist, comic artist and illustrator.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.