Status
Checked out
Due 7/1/2023
Call number
Collection
Publication
Scholastic Inc. (2017), Edition: Reissue, 224 pages
Description
"When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl. George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part . . . because she's a boy. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte -- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all" --
User reviews
LibraryThing member gharhar
George is the story of a fourth-grade girl who wants to play the role of Charlotte in the class production of Charlotte's Web. The only problem? She was born a boy and no one knows that she's really a girl, not even her best friend. This book takes us through George's journey of self-acceptance and
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how to share her true self with those closest to her. Her best friend, Kelly, is a true ally whose reaction to learning George's secret and then support is honest and realistic. George is a book that should be in every school library. Show Less
LibraryThing member adamwolf
I liked this. I liked that there wasn't a tremendous amount of conflict.
LibraryThing member jess_reads
A heartwarming story of a girl who just wants to be accepted as one.
LibraryThing member jothebookgirl
As i read about the trip to the zoo, I was so afraid her, George day was going to be ruined. I was afraid kelly would get excited and post a picture and everyone at school would have access to it. I really appreciate this book and the happy ending for Melissa.
I've read many banned books, (but not
This is a quick read and a somewhat simple story, but an excellent choice for a kid struggling with gender identity and a read for those who struggle with acceptance.
George knows she's different. Before her mother and older brother Scott come home, George has a few, treasured moments to experience life as she’s always wanted to live it. She looks in the mirror and calls herself Melissa, combs her hair over her forehead like bangs, and reads teen magazines full of ads for lipstick, perfume, and tampons. Once her mom and brother come home, however, the magazines must go back into their secret hiding place. While George appears to be a boy, she has no doubt she’s a girl. Her family treats her as they always have: as a boy. Her class is putting on Charlotte's Web as a play. George hopes to play the role of Charlotte, but they won't even let her tryout, because she's a boy. Is she can somehow play this female role, she thinks her her mom will finally see her as a girl and be able to come to terms with the fact that George is transgender. With the help of her closest ally, Kelly, George attempts to get the rest of the world to accept her as she is. In the story, the world interacts with George as if she is a boy, but the narrator only refers to her with female pronouns, which gives her girl-ness a stronger sense of validation.
I've read many banned books, (but not
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one recently), and while this one hasn't been banned yet, it's on the fast track to being so. That is why I review this 2015 book under this label.This is a quick read and a somewhat simple story, but an excellent choice for a kid struggling with gender identity and a read for those who struggle with acceptance.
George knows she's different. Before her mother and older brother Scott come home, George has a few, treasured moments to experience life as she’s always wanted to live it. She looks in the mirror and calls herself Melissa, combs her hair over her forehead like bangs, and reads teen magazines full of ads for lipstick, perfume, and tampons. Once her mom and brother come home, however, the magazines must go back into their secret hiding place. While George appears to be a boy, she has no doubt she’s a girl. Her family treats her as they always have: as a boy. Her class is putting on Charlotte's Web as a play. George hopes to play the role of Charlotte, but they won't even let her tryout, because she's a boy. Is she can somehow play this female role, she thinks her her mom will finally see her as a girl and be able to come to terms with the fact that George is transgender. With the help of her closest ally, Kelly, George attempts to get the rest of the world to accept her as she is. In the story, the world interacts with George as if she is a boy, but the narrator only refers to her with female pronouns, which gives her girl-ness a stronger sense of validation.
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LibraryThing member kimpiddington
Short simple text aimed at a young audience covering the topic of gender identity.
LibraryThing member horomnizon
I really hope there's a sequel to this story about fourth grader George, who is biologically a boy, but knows that she is really a girl. Mostly because there is an open-endedness that makes me wonder how the rest of her experience with telling her friend and family that she's a she would go. I hope
Gino stays away from a pat reaction that is all sunshine and butterflies, which is appropriate. George's brother and best friend seem to accept it fairly well when she tells them she is a girl. Her mom, though, isn't so sure about it, but she reacts with love and a sensible next step.
This is a nice enough story to inform middle grade children about the existence of transgender people - both to encourage acceptance as well as let children know that they are not alone (or weird) if they feel this way themselves. It certainly accomplishes this in a nice way and shows both supportive and bully type reactions. I think it's a great story for parents to read with their kids to discuss gender identity issues and to encourage acceptance of all people.
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that Gino writes a follow-up to continue to encourage support for anyone going through a transitioning process. Gino stays away from a pat reaction that is all sunshine and butterflies, which is appropriate. George's brother and best friend seem to accept it fairly well when she tells them she is a girl. Her mom, though, isn't so sure about it, but she reacts with love and a sensible next step.
This is a nice enough story to inform middle grade children about the existence of transgender people - both to encourage acceptance as well as let children know that they are not alone (or weird) if they feel this way themselves. It certainly accomplishes this in a nice way and shows both supportive and bully type reactions. I think it's a great story for parents to read with their kids to discuss gender identity issues and to encourage acceptance of all people.
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LibraryThing member melissarochelle
Read from August 26 to 31, 2015
I need to start making notes anytime I recommend a book for the library's digital collection so when I get a hold notification, I actually remember when and why I have a book available to check-out. This book was published last week, I received a hold notification on
Good job, me!
This is a realistic middle-grade read about a girl (she prefers the name Melissa) who everyone else sees as a boy named George. George wants to audition for the part of Charlotte in the school's performance of Charlotte's Web, she likes the compassion the spider shows and wants to say Charlotte's beautiful words. She also hopes that playing the part of Charlotte will help her mom see her as she sees herself -- as a girl.
The book does what any good book should do -- it provides insight into another person's world, it gives you a glimpse of their internal struggle, and hopefully makes you a little more empathetic to people that aren't the same as you.
It would be wonderful if there were more empathetic people on the Internet, but given the comments section on articles about this book and any post or book about people that don't fit in a tiny little box, I'm going to guess it's not a trait that many parents taught their kids who are now adults on the web.
I need to start making notes anytime I recommend a book for the library's digital collection so when I get a hold notification, I actually remember when and why I have a book available to check-out. This book was published last week, I received a hold notification on
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the release date that I could check it out. The next day I saw articles all over the place about it. Somehow days, weeks, or months earlier I KNEW this book would be a big deal and was ahead of the holds rush.Good job, me!
This is a realistic middle-grade read about a girl (she prefers the name Melissa) who everyone else sees as a boy named George. George wants to audition for the part of Charlotte in the school's performance of Charlotte's Web, she likes the compassion the spider shows and wants to say Charlotte's beautiful words. She also hopes that playing the part of Charlotte will help her mom see her as she sees herself -- as a girl.
The book does what any good book should do -- it provides insight into another person's world, it gives you a glimpse of their internal struggle, and hopefully makes you a little more empathetic to people that aren't the same as you.
It would be wonderful if there were more empathetic people on the Internet, but given the comments section on articles about this book and any post or book about people that don't fit in a tiny little box, I'm going to guess it's not a trait that many parents taught their kids who are now adults on the web.
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LibraryThing member schatzi
Middle grade books usually aren't my preferred genre, but I just had to pick up George, a book about a transgirl who wants to play Charlotte in the school play. But George isn't allowed to play Charlotte because she's not really a girl - and George, who prefers the name Melissa in private, can't
Middle school fiction has come a LONG way since when I was in school, and it's awesome that books like George are out there and available to younger children who may be facing the same questions that George is in this book.
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exactly find a way to explain that, yes, she IS really a girl, no matter what the body she was born with looks like. George has a very supportive friend named Kelly, who really accepts her as she is. Middle school fiction has come a LONG way since when I was in school, and it's awesome that books like George are out there and available to younger children who may be facing the same questions that George is in this book.
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LibraryThing member ewyatt
George is a transgender youth in 5th grade telling her story about figuring out how to express what is happening in her heart and mind to her best friend and family. George has a hidden stash of fashion magazines and desperately wants to play Charlotte in the upcoming class production of
I found this to be a touching, well handled read about George/Melissa finding her way about what it means to be her and how to express that to the people closest to her.
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Charlotte's Web. Although she immediately meets resistance about this from her teacher because this is a girl's part. While I found George's best friend a little annoying at times, her reaction to George was really touching after she got over her initial discomfort from the revelation.I found this to be a touching, well handled read about George/Melissa finding her way about what it means to be her and how to express that to the people closest to her.
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LibraryThing member paula-childrenslib
"When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl. George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play
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Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part . . . because she's a boy. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte -- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all" -- provided by publisher. Show Less
LibraryThing member acargile
George is one of the best books I’ve read this year, reminding me of Wonder. George is a transgender 5th grader. Okay, most people will stop reading there, thinking, “I’m not reading a book about a transgender.” I thought similarly, but I kept hearing good comments about the book and
George doesn’t feel like a boy and hates being a boy. When the class is reading Charlotte’s Web, George wants to play Charlotte in the school play. Her best friend Kelly also wants to be in the play, so they rehearse together. She thinks George makes a great Charlotte and encourages him to try because only males played Shakespeare parts; it’s part of the history of the theatre. This play becomes George’s way to let those close to her know that she’s a girl, not a boy. When auditioning, she’s disappointed to learn that she’s not allowed to audition as Charlotte; she must audition for Wilbur. She’d rather be on the technical team. Trapped by societal expectations and a bully, George feels even more isolated.
What makes this book so sweet and endearing is the reactions of those around him. His brother is a typical teenage boy. When he finds out that George is a girl, he admits that George “doesn’t make a good boy.” He finally understands his brother. George’s mother has the most difficult time. Her responses are so true to life. To find out your son is a girl would be very difficult to handle, but George never doubts her love, just her support and understanding. George is lucky because she is surrounded by people who care and help her. Afterall, she only wants to be who she is, not who she is expected to be.
George is a short novel. At the end, I feel that Rick’s character, who hangs out with the bully, is left unresolved. His actions leave a question as to his character and motivations. Overall, there is hope, sweetness, acceptance, and freedom in this stirring novel that should not be missed.
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figured people were saying those things to sound non-prejudice. When I saw that I could listen to it in about three hours, I decided to give it a try. It’s truly a very sweet book. George doesn’t feel like a boy and hates being a boy. When the class is reading Charlotte’s Web, George wants to play Charlotte in the school play. Her best friend Kelly also wants to be in the play, so they rehearse together. She thinks George makes a great Charlotte and encourages him to try because only males played Shakespeare parts; it’s part of the history of the theatre. This play becomes George’s way to let those close to her know that she’s a girl, not a boy. When auditioning, she’s disappointed to learn that she’s not allowed to audition as Charlotte; she must audition for Wilbur. She’d rather be on the technical team. Trapped by societal expectations and a bully, George feels even more isolated.
What makes this book so sweet and endearing is the reactions of those around him. His brother is a typical teenage boy. When he finds out that George is a girl, he admits that George “doesn’t make a good boy.” He finally understands his brother. George’s mother has the most difficult time. Her responses are so true to life. To find out your son is a girl would be very difficult to handle, but George never doubts her love, just her support and understanding. George is lucky because she is surrounded by people who care and help her. Afterall, she only wants to be who she is, not who she is expected to be.
George is a short novel. At the end, I feel that Rick’s character, who hangs out with the bully, is left unresolved. His actions leave a question as to his character and motivations. Overall, there is hope, sweetness, acceptance, and freedom in this stirring novel that should not be missed.
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LibraryThing member Lake_Oswego_UCC
When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl. George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play
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Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part . . . because she's a boy. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte -- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all. Show Less
LibraryThing member jwood652
This is a great book, that is a simple story of a transgender child, trapped in a boy's body! It deals with her struggles, including being bullied, and dealing with her best friend and mother, revealing who she really is. This is written for a YA audience, but this OA enjoyed it tremendously.
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Perhaps a bit simplistic, but I recommend for any child, including discussion, especially, of course, if they are dealing with this personally. Show Less
LibraryThing member jwood652
This is a great book, that is a simple story of a transgender child, trapped in a boy's body! It deals with her struggles, including being bullied, and dealing with her best friend and mother, revealing who she really is. This is written for a YA audience, but this OA enjoyed it tremendously.
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Perhaps a bit simplistic, but I recommend for any child, including discussion, especially, of course, if they are dealing with this personally. Show Less
LibraryThing member EllsbethB
This was a darling story of striving to be who you really are. The use of the main character's preferred pronoun put the conflict of identity and acceptance front and center in a way that felt natural, but also highlighted important disjunctures. It is a small detail, but it conveys powerful
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messages. I'm glad I'll get to read a story like this with my kids. Show Less
LibraryThing member Suedarc
Great book for chapter book audience on the topic of awareness and acceptance of gender variant kids. While it is extremely helpful when approaching the topic of transgender, it is also about children deciding how to treat others who differ from themselves. Best of all, the author comes from a
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background of being gender variant. Bravo to Scholastic Press for doing the right thing! Show Less
LibraryThing member bookappeal
If you have no idea what it might be like to grow up as a girl in a boy's body, read this book. If you know a child who may be struggling with gender issues, get this book into the kid's hands. If you want to ensure that your own children grow up with an understanding of the variety of people
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around them, get this book. Thought some of the details are slightly dated and the book has a laser-like focus on its purpose, author Alex Gino accomplishes an amazing feat in a simple and lovely way. George is the perfect example of how reading fiction improves empathy. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rvalencia
I belive this book broke barriers for children literacy books. Groege is about a boy who is starting to realize hs sexuality at a young age but doesnt know how to face it. The perfect opportunity comes about when it is time to audition for the schools play of Charollets Web. George wants to be play
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the role as the female spider, but due to him being a boy he was rejected. His best friend Kelly auditioned for the role and when she got the role she got the idea where they could book be the spider. Kelly was Georges biggest cheerleader and I feel without her pushing George, who knows when he would have came out about his feelings. I sit back and wonder all the children in the world that are going through the same struggle. Show Less
LibraryThing member horomnizon
I really hope there's a sequel to this story about fourth grader George, who is biologically a boy, but knows that she is really a girl. Mostly because there is an open-endedness that makes me wonder how the rest of her experience with telling her friend and family that she's a she would go. I hope
Gino stays away from a pat reaction that is all sunshine and butterflies, which is appropriate. George's brother and best friend seem to accept it fairly well when she tells them she is a girl. Her mom, though, isn't so sure about it, but she reacts with love and a sensible next step.
This is a nice enough story to inform middle grade children about the existence of transgender people - both to encourage acceptance as well as let children know that they are not alone (or weird) if they feel this way themselves. It certainly accomplishes this in a nice way and shows both supportive and bully type reactions. I think it's a great story for parents to read with their kids to discuss gender identity issues and to encourage acceptance of all people.
Show More
that Gino writes a follow-up to continue to encourage support for anyone going through a transitioning process. Gino stays away from a pat reaction that is all sunshine and butterflies, which is appropriate. George's brother and best friend seem to accept it fairly well when she tells them she is a girl. Her mom, though, isn't so sure about it, but she reacts with love and a sensible next step.
This is a nice enough story to inform middle grade children about the existence of transgender people - both to encourage acceptance as well as let children know that they are not alone (or weird) if they feel this way themselves. It certainly accomplishes this in a nice way and shows both supportive and bully type reactions. I think it's a great story for parents to read with their kids to discuss gender identity issues and to encourage acceptance of all people.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Salsabrarian
I find this a developmentally appropriate book for readers 4th grade up about a child who struggles with his/her gender identity. Readers see George's internal struggles and frustration as she yearns over the pictures in her beauty and fashion magazines, copes with bullies at school, and wishes her
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mother would understand. Thankfully her best friend Kelly is the beginning of George's possible salvation. I would be interested to see how child readers react to it especially those who are not dealing with gender identity issues. How would they consider or accept George's story? Show Less
LibraryThing member One_Curvy_Blogger
George is a book I picked up when I was looking for something to listen to as I was organizing the bookshelf last weekend. I realized my library had an audio copy of this book that had been on my TBR list since it first came out and I quickly snapped it up and downloaded it right away.
George is a
George stopped. It was such a short, little question, but she couldn’t make her mouth form the sounds.
Mom, what if I’m a girl?
George was narrated by Sense8‘s Jamie Clayton. While I haven’t watched the show, she did a great job narrating the characters of this book. She added an extra dimension to this middle grade book and I could believe the emotion in her voice. I hope she continues to narrate books because I would love to listen to more from her! I could tell each character apart and its clear she spent time on her performance.
Though the book was clearly written to a younger audience, it teaches an important lesson that we could all learn from: BE WHO YOU ARE. Alex Gino says that they wrote George because “the hole in children’s literature was clear, and they knew how they wanted to fill it,” and I have to say it was a success! This is a book that should be in all school libraries. It is important, relevant, and teaches readers to love and celebrate who you are. I will definitely be reading more from Alex Gino!
George is a
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poignant middle grade novel about Melissa, a transgender girl who longs to play Charlotte, in her fourth grade class production of Charlotte’s Web. I really loved this book! It was heartbreaking, but I grew to see Melissa as a real child struggling to show her family and the world that she’s a girl, not the boy she’s perceived to be. She is an inspiration and I was so proud of her for standing up for her dreams.George stopped. It was such a short, little question, but she couldn’t make her mouth form the sounds.
Mom, what if I’m a girl?
George was narrated by Sense8‘s Jamie Clayton. While I haven’t watched the show, she did a great job narrating the characters of this book. She added an extra dimension to this middle grade book and I could believe the emotion in her voice. I hope she continues to narrate books because I would love to listen to more from her! I could tell each character apart and its clear she spent time on her performance.
Though the book was clearly written to a younger audience, it teaches an important lesson that we could all learn from: BE WHO YOU ARE. Alex Gino says that they wrote George because “the hole in children’s literature was clear, and they knew how they wanted to fill it,” and I have to say it was a success! This is a book that should be in all school libraries. It is important, relevant, and teaches readers to love and celebrate who you are. I will definitely be reading more from Alex Gino!
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LibraryThing member AMQS
Another book I read in one sitting. George fills a hole in children’s literature: that of a transgender fourth grader telling her own difficult, confusing story. Born a boy, George has always felt she was a girl. Her greatest secret is a collection of teen girl magazines, which she pores over,
The book does not neatly tie up everything and ends with George/Melissa’s happy transformation. It merely describes her lonely conviction; her “wrongness.” Towards the conclusion she only takes the very first, very small steps in a lifetime of small steps. As expected, she encounters awful bullies and confused rejection. Her older brother and her principal are unexpected allies, and Kelly, once she takes some time to get used to the idea, is her greatest supporter. George is told with moving sensitivity, and the reader cheers for her, and for readers who may see themselves reflected in this book.
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imagining herself carefree best friends with the radiant, happy models inside. When the fourth grade at her school puts on a production of Charlotte’s Web, George dearly wishes to play Charlotte. Her best friend Kelly helps her come up with a plan. But it’s one thing to play a female character, and quite another to take the small steps she must in order to become who she really is: Melissa. The book does not neatly tie up everything and ends with George/Melissa’s happy transformation. It merely describes her lonely conviction; her “wrongness.” Towards the conclusion she only takes the very first, very small steps in a lifetime of small steps. As expected, she encounters awful bullies and confused rejection. Her older brother and her principal are unexpected allies, and Kelly, once she takes some time to get used to the idea, is her greatest supporter. George is told with moving sensitivity, and the reader cheers for her, and for readers who may see themselves reflected in this book.
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LibraryThing member WhitneyYPL
George is a 4th grader who desperately wants to play the part of Charlotte in her school production of Charlotte's Web. Unfortunately, the teacher is only casting girls for the part, and although George knows she is a girl, her physical appearance says otherwise. Thanks to George's best friend,
While there are a growing number of books for the young adult audience--and even some picture books out there--this is the first one I've seen that brings up gender issues for the elementary school-aged reader. George has already won a number of awards for its portrayal of a young girl trapped in the body of a boy and the unhappiness and bullying she suffers. However, the story is told with a light touch and remains optimistic thanks to Kelly's encouragement and later, the support of George's brother and elementary school principal. George's mother, too, eventually comes around and by the end of the book suggests counseling for both George and herself. JF
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Kelly, George has the opportunity to shine and make the small steps necessary to show the world who she really is. While there are a growing number of books for the young adult audience--and even some picture books out there--this is the first one I've seen that brings up gender issues for the elementary school-aged reader. George has already won a number of awards for its portrayal of a young girl trapped in the body of a boy and the unhappiness and bullying she suffers. However, the story is told with a light touch and remains optimistic thanks to Kelly's encouragement and later, the support of George's brother and elementary school principal. George's mother, too, eventually comes around and by the end of the book suggests counseling for both George and herself. JF
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LibraryThing member memccauley6
One of the reasons I love to read is books give you the opportunity to walk in someone else’s shoes – and this book definitely does that. Imagine yourself as a little kid, knowing there is something “wrong” with you, that you are trapped in the wrong body like George. Being terrified to
It’s not all bad for George/Melissa - he finds love, acceptance, and support in the end. An important book that people of all ages should read.
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reveal your secret to your family and friends… being bullied at school.It’s not all bad for George/Melissa - he finds love, acceptance, and support in the end. An important book that people of all ages should read.
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LibraryThing member twhite13
Maybe it's because I haven't read middle grade this young for a while, but the book seemed to wrap up too quickly. I was expecting to either wrap up shortly after the play or to continue through another mini plot arc. George's mom accepting her worked better as a resolution to me than the zoo trip.
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But I did like the book. Quick and sweet. Show Less
Awards
Lambda Literary Award (Finalist — 2016)
Commonwealth Club of California Book Awards (Winner — Juvenile — 2015)
Georgia Children's Book Award (Recommended — Grades 6-8 — 2017)
William Allen White Children's Book Award (Nominee — Grades 3-5 — 2018)
Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (Nominee — 2017)
Stonewall Book Award (Winner — 2016)
Oregon Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — 2018)
Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing (Nominee — 2017)
Kids' Book Choice Awards (Finalist — 2016)
ALA Rainbow Book List (Selection — Juvenile Fiction — 2016)
E.B. White Read-Aloud Award (Honor Book — 2016)
Charlotte Huck Award (Recommended Book — 2016)
NPR: Books We Love (2015)
CCBC Choices (2016)
Notable Children's Book (Middle Readers — 2016)
Nerdy Book Award (Middle Grade Fiction — 2015)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Children's Books — 2015)
El día de los niños / El día de los libros (3-5 — 2016)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2015
Physical description
7.5 inches
ISBN
0545812577 / 9780545812573