George is a trans children’s book written by genderqueer author Alex Gino. It follows the fictional story of a 4th Grader named George. Everyone around him thinks he’s a boy. His best friend, who’s a cis girl, Kelly, his older brother Scott, his mom, his teacher, and his principal.
George’s class is given the opportunity to be in the class play of Charlotte’s Web. Most of the story involves George and Kelly picking their fave roles, practicing their lines, and just living their lives. There’re some small side stories of relationships with his teachers, his family, and the class homo- and transphobes. Little by little there’s hints about George thrown in such as George thinks of himself as a girl and prefers, she/her/hers pronouns over he/his/him pronouns and that her name is Melissa.
Melissa gets into some coming out situations with her friend Kelly, then her brother, then her Mom, but the major coming out is a triumph and one I won’t give away. I found kinship with Melissa in that she had a secret stash of girls and women’s life magazines like Seventeen. In our own ways, we latch onto what we can for our gender identities and often time in secret. Truly, the girls in the magazines were some of Melissa’s closest friends other than Kelly. It was amazing to read how her principal steps in and helps Melissa find some safe space!
Transitioning as a child was completely denied me and made me the subject of ridicule in my family until I put it all in the closet. Reading about a modern day nine-year-old trans girl coming out, finding support from family, and succeeding in school is marvelous to read! George was written for middle age children, is double-spaced, but also is a wonderful story for trans adults and includes a fascinating FAQ and Afterwards sections.
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Dasia Anderl
Latest posts by Dasia Anderl (see all)
- Media Review: “George”, a trans children’s book by Alex Gino - July 19, 2019
- Media Review: Check It, documentary film, 2016 - July 12, 2019
- Media Review: Transformer - June 21, 2019
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Thank you I t sounds like a wounderful film. I
Am so happy for the young people who will never have to fight for the basics. They can concentrate on saving the world or being a great Doctors. My gender issue did not hinder my achieving success. It would of been nice to be a little happy with who I was. Luv Stephanie ❤️
Hi Stephanie,
I’m so glad you enjoyed my book review. I enjoyed reading it. Okay, actually, it made me uncomfortable reading through experiences of oppression in a little girl’s life. I really enjoyed that it’s a respectful and honest trans children’s story that opens up to eventually affirming her. Alex Gino is one kewl author! Anyhoo, I’m curious to discover your successes. Would you share with us? I could use some good news today.
Hi Dasia My success is I have survived as you have. I am 65 years old now. I believe it has been 58 years of getting small presious moments when I could see the feminate reflection of a young girl then a young woman, now a woman. I am still looking for me. She has been with me a long time. Sometimes it was torture . There were years of excitement in when I was out and being a young teenage girl. I loved those years I had no fear. I was free. I retreated back where society, family and… Read more »
Thanks, Stephanie, for your success story! I have Bipolar Disorder, too. I understand and can empathize with you about that. “Enough drugs to put a horse to sleep for a week". I love that! I’ve been there, too, but I still take the little Lithium tabs. I asked a psych prof of mine if they found a cure yet. They gave up about ten years ago since the meds work to maintain us well enough. Thppt!! Oh well…at least cancer will be cured in the next 50 years. I enjoyed your positive vibes, right on!
What a beautiful story dear…oooh yes…
Namaste’ 😉
Nice , thanks Dasia
Thank you, Charee! 🙂