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Who Is Amy Schneider?: Questions on Growing Up, Being Curious, and Winning It Big on Jeopardy!
A “refreshing…heartfelt, humorous, and accessible” (Booklist) young readers edition of the memoir from the most successful woman ever to compete on Jeopardy!—and an exploration of what it means to ask questions of the world and of yourself.
In eighth grade, Amy Schneider was voted “Most likely to appear on Jeopardy!” by her classmates. Decades later, she finally got her chance. Not only did Amy walk away with $1.3 million while captivating the world with her impressive forty-game winning streak, but she made history and won an even greater prize—the joy of being herself on national television and blazing a trail for openly queer and transgender people around the world. Now, she shares her singular journey that led to becoming an unlikely icon and hero to millions. Her boundless curiosity and fearless questioning.
Who Is Amy Schneider? shows kids that there isn’t a right way to be smart nor a wrong way to learn, that curiosity fuels passion, and that discovering your true self begins with asking yourself why?
In eighth grade, Amy Schneider was voted “Most likely to appear on Jeopardy!” by her classmates. Decades later, she finally got her chance. Not only did Amy walk away with $1.3 million while captivating the world with her impressive forty-game winning streak, but she made history and won an even greater prize—the joy of being herself on national television and blazing a trail for openly queer and transgender people around the world. Now, she shares her singular journey that led to becoming an unlikely icon and hero to millions. Her boundless curiosity and fearless questioning.
Who Is Amy Schneider? shows kids that there isn’t a right way to be smart nor a wrong way to learn, that curiosity fuels passion, and that discovering your true self begins with asking yourself why?
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 4, 2025
8 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Amy Schneider
2 books49 followersAmy Schneider (born May 29, 1979) is an American writer and game show contestant. Winning forty consecutive games on the quiz show Jeopardy! from November 2021 to January 2022 and the November 2022 Tournament of Champions, Amy holds the second-longest win streak in the program's history, behind only Ken Jennings (seventy-four games), who hosted the show as Amy competed. Amy is the most successful transgender contestant ever to compete on the show, in terms of both length of streak and Amy's $1.6 million in winnings.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 19, 2025
Amy Schneider retells her own story which led her to winning Jeopardy. She had received many questions how she got so smart which led her to relating her story in a form of a chapter starting with a question, and Amy answering it.
Since childhood, she enjoyed watching Jeopardy. She grew up in an environment where curiosity was encouraged and nurtured.
She describes the rules of Jeopardy and how you can arrive with answers or rather questions (which the show was about). This part, at some moments sounds a bit technical; at others, it’s quite fascinating how her logic worked.
She also delves into her story of being transgender and how once knowledge was encouraged among boys and not girls; also relating some painful experiences.
My favorite chapter was the one when she talks about her mother and how mentors come in different forms. Her mother was a phenomenal teacher because she was passionate about her teachings.
Amy gives further examples of people who were her good mentors and to have your eyes open for such people in your life.
Amy’s biography is a great example of how important it is to explore one’s curiosity and to keep asking questions, to stay true to yourself which is not always easy.
This biography is meant for children ages 8-12 years. I’m not sure if the language is simple enough to make it a smooth read for this age children. And with all the content in the story, it might be a challenging read for children this age group.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Since childhood, she enjoyed watching Jeopardy. She grew up in an environment where curiosity was encouraged and nurtured.
She describes the rules of Jeopardy and how you can arrive with answers or rather questions (which the show was about). This part, at some moments sounds a bit technical; at others, it’s quite fascinating how her logic worked.
She also delves into her story of being transgender and how once knowledge was encouraged among boys and not girls; also relating some painful experiences.
My favorite chapter was the one when she talks about her mother and how mentors come in different forms. Her mother was a phenomenal teacher because she was passionate about her teachings.
Amy gives further examples of people who were her good mentors and to have your eyes open for such people in your life.
Amy’s biography is a great example of how important it is to explore one’s curiosity and to keep asking questions, to stay true to yourself which is not always easy.
This biography is meant for children ages 8-12 years. I’m not sure if the language is simple enough to make it a smooth read for this age children. And with all the content in the story, it might be a challenging read for children this age group.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2025
I had the pleasure of watching Amy when she competed on Jeopardy, and I’ve been very interested in her life. This book helped me to understand her better, and to learn more about the history of Jeopardy. Since this is a book for middle school children, I am unsure of how interested they are in the Jeopardy game. I feel that older people are more interested in watching the game on television. I do think the children will learn a lot by reading her book especially about trans people, and also how she overcame being bullied in school.
September 25, 2024
I’m not the fan-girl type. I don’t usually write to authors—ok, I’ve written to a couple. However, I just needed to tell Amy Schneider how much her book spoke to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I will write glowing reviews wherever I can. And, purchase multiple copies for our library branches.
School Library Journal recently sent me an ARC of her book for young readers. I picked it up today as I was eating lunch and didn’t put it down until I was finished (with the book, my lunch ended pretty quickly.) I absolutely loved it. Her wry sense of humor, her thoughtful advice, her insecurities, her straightforward honesty and her voice—I watched every one of her Jeopardy episodes and I love her voice—all of those combine to create something extraordinary that will definitely speak to middle school readers, too.
A lovely, introduction for young teens about what it means to be a trans woman and the importance of acknowledging and accepting our true selves.
Brava! Enjoy your toaster, Amy. You deserve it.
School Library Journal recently sent me an ARC of her book for young readers. I picked it up today as I was eating lunch and didn’t put it down until I was finished (with the book, my lunch ended pretty quickly.) I absolutely loved it. Her wry sense of humor, her thoughtful advice, her insecurities, her straightforward honesty and her voice—I watched every one of her Jeopardy episodes and I love her voice—all of those combine to create something extraordinary that will definitely speak to middle school readers, too.
A lovely, introduction for young teens about what it means to be a trans woman and the importance of acknowledging and accepting our true selves.
Brava! Enjoy your toaster, Amy. You deserve it.
December 23, 2024
Who Is Amy Schneider? is the young readers’ edition of the Jeopardy! champion’s memoir published earlier this year. Much like the original, this adaptation is patient, thoughtful, and brave in its approach, diving into Amy’s story while addressing the frank, probing questions young people might have—like “How much money do you have?” and “What’s your deadname?”
Amy shares what it was like to grow up being perceived as a boy, recounting painful middle school experiences, including bullying. She also reflects on her teachers—both the good and the bad—and the lasting influence that educators, school, and even playground interactions can have on a person throughout their life.
At its heart, this book is a powerful reminder to stay true to yourself, no matter what challenges you face. Amy’s courage and honesty shine through every page. You go, Amy!
Amy shares what it was like to grow up being perceived as a boy, recounting painful middle school experiences, including bullying. She also reflects on her teachers—both the good and the bad—and the lasting influence that educators, school, and even playground interactions can have on a person throughout their life.
At its heart, this book is a powerful reminder to stay true to yourself, no matter what challenges you face. Amy’s courage and honesty shine through every page. You go, Amy!
July 6, 2025
This is the young adult version of Amy Schneider’s book “In The Form Of A Question.” I am very eager to read the adult version.
The author is engaging, informative, honest, and down to earth. Of course, this version of her book is geared for a much younger audience, but I’m still very glad I read it. It took me about an hour to read, and I learned a number of things I never knew. I’m sure the adult version will be just as enjoyable!
The author is engaging, informative, honest, and down to earth. Of course, this version of her book is geared for a much younger audience, but I’m still very glad I read it. It took me about an hour to read, and I learned a number of things I never knew. I’m sure the adult version will be just as enjoyable!
February 10, 2025
I have been a fan of Jeopardy! since I was the age of the target audience of this book (a long time ago) and though I have not watched every episode since then, I try to watch when life doesn't interfere. In the year that Amy had won her 40 episode streak, life took a pause (for Covid) and I found myself catching every episode of Amy's (as well as Mattea Roach's and Matt Amodio's) run. Amy had done something special, not only had she taken over the spot for the second longest streak on the show (just months after Amodio had sinched it), but she had chronicled her run on her social media (Twitter). I'm sure that some fans came to her books (this one or the "adult" version) looking for that extra jeopardy behind-the-scenes experience but that isn't what this book is about. There is a bit about Jeopardy in the book since that experience is what brought her into a public space but this book is Amy's story of the forty-something years that made her who she is. She touches on transitioning, ADHD (well, ADD), therapy, depression, bullying, her upbringing, and enjoying her fame. Having read In The Form of a Question..., I completely understand that warning at the beginning that it is not meant for a younger audience, from advocating for self-medicating undiagnosed medical conditions with hard-core drugs to discussing encounters in alleys with random strangers with no regard for STDs. This version of her story is less intense, advocates for therapy, does not discuss drug use, polyamory or any intimate encounters. Also missing are the chapters explaining every tarot card of the major arcana and the TV show Daria, making this a much clearer version of her story even for adult audiences. Though the decision of what an impressionable child should read ultimately belongs with their parents, I think this book does a responsible job of presenting the subject in an age-appropriate way for mature pre-teens and teen, and might be relatable to anyone questioning their gender identity, know someone who transitioned, or coping with ADHD. This might also be the right fit for those older adult fans of Jeopardy! who really enjoyed Amy's appearance on the show and want to learn a bit more about her but not quite as much as her "adult" book shared.
I received advanced digital access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I received advanced digital access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
December 18, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up. This was a simple but engaging, age-appropriate memoir about an inspirational figure. I love Jeopardy and have been a fan of Amy's since her original appearance. I enjoyed reading her story and think it will appeal to young readers too.
I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.
I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.
May 26, 2025
When I bought this book, I didn't realize that there is an "adult" version available too. That will come later, I guess. Jeopardy is one of my favorite TV shows and Amy is one of my favorite contestants! It was fun to read her story.
July 31, 2025
I enjoyed getting to know more about Amy!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews