George by Alex Gino

Pages: 195

Intended Audience: Tweens

Genre: Drama / LGBTQ+

Notes for Parents: Some mature content

The Back Cover

Be who you are. 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.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

Author Alex Gino is transgender, more specifically genderqueer (a term used to describe a person who feels that his/her gender identity does not fit into the socially constructed "norms" associated with his/her biological sex. ~urbandictionary.com). The author wrote George to fill a hole in children’s literature.

In a September 24, 2015 interview with Kiera Parrott of School Library Journal, the author said: “When I started writing George, there wasn’t really mainstream trans literature for children of any age. The few gay and lesbian books that did exist were focused on picture books for children with LGB adults in their lives and young adult novels about high school students first coming out.”

What’s good?

The real charm of this story comes from the very simple style with which the author introduces the 10-year-old girl whom everyone else sees as a boy. The complex issue of being transgender is treated in an admirably uncomplicated way. George is not kicking and screaming about the world’s injustices, but rather lives with a quiet determination to get to know herself and eventually become that person. The adults of her world don’t seem ready to deal with George’s true self, and instead of making demands, she simply shows them how she feels. There is certainly a great irony in wanting to play a “girl” part when she feels like she’s been playing a “boy” part. It was interesting to realize how often gender comes up on a daily basis (using the bathroom, lining up for recess, trying out for a play). This was a fast, easy read with plenty of heart.

Best Part: Kelly and her dad.

What isn’t good?

I had a few issues with the use of gender stereotypes (all girls wear dresses and makeup). I can only guess that they were used to simplify George’s feelings and give Kelly a method of helping George experience her true self. I don’t think it was a harmful choice, but there are probably better choices out there.

Worst part: None.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☻☻ (3/5)

At its core, this is a sad story, but it’s hopeful and ultimately heartwarming to see George gain the confidence to acknowledge Melissa. While it’s easy to say “Be who you are,” it’s much more challenging when your authentic self is someone who doesn’t conform to society’s norms. George is about courage and honesty, and fortitude. 

Gino, Alex. George. New York: Scholastic, 2015. (hardcover)