Saturday, March 12, 2016

Gino, Alex. George.

Gino, Alex.  George.  Scarecrow Press     2016  195p  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-545-81254-2  ms  Conflict    VG-BN

Although George has a male body, she feels like a girl and wants to play the part of Charlotte in the class production of Charlotte’s Web, but to do so will require her to take chances that scare her, particularly since she already faces bullying from boys in class who are uncomfortable with her difference.  Fortunately George has a supportive, fearless best friend who helps her practice for the role, and when the teacher refuses to allow her to audition for a female part, her friend concocts a plan to get George into that spider costume no matter what.

This is an important book for young readers who are about to enter adolescence and may be in the process of coming to terms with their own gender or sexuality.
 Although written for a middle-grade readership, George is well written, and the protagonist’s predicament has an authentic feel that keeps it from becoming obnoxious to older readers.
Throughout the book, author Alex Gino uses feminine adjectives to refer to the main character, in keeping with George’s preferences, which is a point readers will not fail to miss, and which could engender useful discussions about preferred pronouns in the trans* community.  

Summary: Although George has a male body, she feels like a girl and wants to play the part of Charlotte in the class production of Charlotte’s Web, but to do so will require her to take chances that scare her.   


Transgenderism-Fiction                                --Bethany Geleskie

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