Product reviews for Because of You, This is Me

When I first saw Jaz speak at the Festival of Education many years ago, I honestly struggled to believe that one person could have lived through everything she described. And yet there she stood - this absolute powerhouse. Full of energy, humour, warmth and life. Incredibly funny at times, despite the story she was telling.

She took us on a journey that swung between huge highs and heartbreaking lows. The highs came through the teachers who truly saw her, supported her and, in many ways, helped save her. The lows were devastating. There were moments that reduced me to tears. This book is the extended version of that story.

Every time I hear Jaz speak, I come away completely blown away by the strength of the human spirit - the ability to overcome the words people say, the way people can judge others so wrongly, and the cruelty that can exist in the world. But what shines through most powerfully is hope.

What this book shows so beautifully is that changing someone’s life is not always about grand gestures or dramatic interventions. Often, it’s the small things that matter most. The consistent things. The everyday things. The teachers in Jaz’s story probably had no idea of the significance of what they were doing at the time. Many of their actions likely felt ordinary to them - just part of the day job. But their persistence, their kindness, and the fact that they kept showing up for her day after day helped rebuild her trust in adults, in people and, ultimately, in herself.

That was life-changing.

You do not need to be a teacher or work in education to read this book. Its message is universal. It’s about humanity, resilience, connection and the extraordinary impact we can have on one another without even realising it.

I truly admire Jaz for having the courage to tell this story because it must have been incredibly difficult to relive and share.

This book is heartbreaking, uplifting and deeply important all at once.