As previously mentioned, I am taking part in the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge for 2016. This is a fantastic challenge for those who are looking to diversify their reading, something I'm really hoping to do. As soon as I saw this particular prompt, I knew what book I wanted to read and, after months of waiting for it to be added to the library's catalog, I finally got my hands on George by Alex Gino.
If the cover doesn't make it obvious, George is a middle-grade novel. This simply means it's aimed at a younger audience, probably around 8-12 years old. I think that's what makes this book extra-special. Writing a book that trans children can relate to and cis children can learn from? Genius, Gino!
Synopsis: When people look at George, they see a boy. But George knows she is a girl. It's something she's always known and, as she gets a little older, it's something she's going to have to tell her friends and family about. Her 4th grade class is set to put on a play of Charlotte's Web and George so desperately wants to play Charlotte, her favorite character. As George works to get the part, she also realizes that she might not be able to keep her true self a secret much longer.
Though the writing in this book is a little simple (it is for a younger audience, after all), it's also very important. Alex Gino, who is transgender, chose to go with a third-person narrative and used female pronouns from page one. Because of this, there is never room for doubt that George is a girl. This isn't the journey of a boy who doubts his masculinity or is trapped in the wrong body. It's about a girl who must show the world what they cannot see.
The market isn't exactly flooding with transgender heroes, so this is honestly the first book I've read that focused on a trans character. I am glad that it was because it was handled so wonderfully (which, unfortunately, can be hard to find). Overall, George is a great story and something that people of all ages could read and learn something from.
P.S. Can Kelly be MY best friend?
If the cover doesn't make it obvious, George is a middle-grade novel. This simply means it's aimed at a younger audience, probably around 8-12 years old. I think that's what makes this book extra-special. Writing a book that trans children can relate to and cis children can learn from? Genius, Gino!
Synopsis: When people look at George, they see a boy. But George knows she is a girl. It's something she's always known and, as she gets a little older, it's something she's going to have to tell her friends and family about. Her 4th grade class is set to put on a play of Charlotte's Web and George so desperately wants to play Charlotte, her favorite character. As George works to get the part, she also realizes that she might not be able to keep her true self a secret much longer.
Though the writing in this book is a little simple (it is for a younger audience, after all), it's also very important. Alex Gino, who is transgender, chose to go with a third-person narrative and used female pronouns from page one. Because of this, there is never room for doubt that George is a girl. This isn't the journey of a boy who doubts his masculinity or is trapped in the wrong body. It's about a girl who must show the world what they cannot see.
The market isn't exactly flooding with transgender heroes, so this is honestly the first book I've read that focused on a trans character. I am glad that it was because it was handled so wonderfully (which, unfortunately, can be hard to find). Overall, George is a great story and something that people of all ages could read and learn something from.
P.S. Can Kelly be MY best friend?
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