Details

Length: 195
Story Build: Fast
Character development: Fair
Age Recommendation: 4th grade and up
Reasoning: central character is a 4th grader; themes of gender identity and transitioning

Summary and Review

George had been on my reading list for a bit now. Reasoning? I noticed it was frequently on the banned book list. I wanted to know why.

After reading, I can firmly state that I do not agree with it being banned (I don’t agree with banning books anyway… ), but I can see why it’s on there.

In our current climate where anti-trans laws are being brought forth daily, it’s not a surprise that George would be feared by some individuals.

George is about a girl named George — a child born biologically male but one who feels very much like a girl. The story then centers around her struggle to feel like herself and to show her family and her friends who she truly is. A school play of Charlotte’s Web presents an opportunity for George to be her authentic self by playing the role of Charlotte, but it also proves difficult as her teacher and classmates refuse to accept George as the character.

I don’t really want to say more because it is a simple plot… but an important one!!

Celebrations

There is quite a lot to celebrate about this novel.

First, as a teacher who has had students share their feelings regarding their preferred gender, this books provides such beautiful insight into the struggle to be one’s authentic self. Reading it should help bring humanity closer together; George is meant to be inclusive and not divisive. That is very clear. I really want to celebrate the way Gino provided such an endearing and sad and hopeful voice to their main character.

Furthermore, I LOVED that the story was told in third person narration with the point of view of George. This allowed Alex Gino to use she/her pronouns for their protagonist. Why is this important? It allows the reader to see the way the world views George and how it is vastly different from how George views herself. It reiterates the idea that what people look like is not always how they feel on the inside.

I also love that this is a middle grade novel because it is accessible. Imagine how many kiddos have struggled to feel like themselves and now they have a character with whom they can identify? It also seems like the kind of book that any parent could easily pick up and read if they have a child who is like George — wanting to match their outward appearance with their inward identification.

Hesitations

I really have none other than I was sad with the ending… I wanted more resolution, but frankly that’s not real life, so I, again, applaud Gino for their realism!