George, by Alex Gino

Title: George
Author: Alex Gino
Genre/ issues: Middle grade, queer, trans.

I’m really interested in books which represent queer characters and stories. It’s been gratifying to see many more of these being published for YA readers in recent years, but there’s not been a lot for younger readers. I picked up George from a cute little bookshop just near Central Park in New York last year. and have just gotten around to reading it. It’s totally lovely. For middle graders who might be questioning their own gender identity, it provides an insight into what sharing that story with the people you love might look like. For young people who might find themselves dealing with someone “different” in their lives, it provides a sense of empathy. A sweet, sensitively handled story of a girl discovering how to tell her family and friends that her name is Melissa and not George. If you’ve got kids in your life trying to get their heads around what the T stands for in the acronym, this book is the perfect gentle and non-confrontational read for them.

#TamaraReads #2020readingchallenge 5/52

Happy reading,