George

Gino, A. (2015). George. NY: Scholastic.

Summary: George is the story of a transgender fourth grader. George seems like a boy on the outside, but inside she knows that she is actually a girl. When her teacher announces the class play is going to be Charlotte's Web, George really wants to be Charlotte. However, her teacher says that she cannot even try out for the part. George is devastated until his best friend, Kelly, decides to help him hatch a plan that will have him playing Charlotte and teaching his bullies a lesson.
Commentary: This book has a very memorable central character in George. I believe that many people will connect with George as struggling with her identity and struggling to be acknowledged for who she is by those around her. There is a moment when George transitions to Melissa that shows an amazing growth. This book is very relevant to our times and will find an audience to connect with. This will appeal not only to those people out there that feel like George but also to those that are struggling to understand people like her. Thought the subject of the book may be new to the literary scene, the theme of this book is quite universal: Be who you are.
Connections: Teaching Resources, Author Interview, Book Trailer, Book Review
Similar Books: Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart, If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo, Spirit Week by Clifton McDaniel
Textbook Connections: When reading George, I was reminded that "typical" physical and mental development is a thing of the past.