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Emily May's Reviews > Melissa
Melissa (previously published as GEORGE)
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This might be the most important novel released this year. George is a sensitive, honest, and much-needed story about a trans girl.
The simplicity of the story makes it even more emotional. Alex Gino never tries too hard to turn this book into a lesson, and there is no attempt to make us cry, but - personally - I think the subtle sadness, frustration and loneliness of George's tale is what makes it so incredibly powerful and moving.
It's an important subject, but like all great stories, this novel's strength comes not from what it is about, but how it is told. One might think a first person narrative would make us feel closer to George and her story, but the clever third person narration immediately introduces George in female pronouns - a fact that completely changes the way we read the book. George is not a boy wanting to be a girl, but a girl in a world where no one else can see it. It's an important distinction.
George is a middle-grade book, but that didn't put me off in the slightest. It follows George as she longs to play Charlotte in her school play but is told she cannot even audition for the part because she is a boy. But she knows that she's a girl. And she wants more than anything for the rest of the world to see it.
The story is sad and eye-opening - partly because of the bullying George endures, but even more so because of her loving mom's inability to understand:
Though, ultimately, this is not a depressing book. It's a heartwarming tale about learning to accept who you are, and it also educates the reader. It tells other Georges out there that they are not alone, that they have options, and that there is a support network available to them.
We should be giving this book to all children - male, female, transgender, intersex, genderqueer, or otherwise.
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by
George stopped. It was such a short, little question, but she couldn’t make her mouth form the sounds.
Mom, what if I’m a girl?
This might be the most important novel released this year. George is a sensitive, honest, and much-needed story about a trans girl.
The simplicity of the story makes it even more emotional. Alex Gino never tries too hard to turn this book into a lesson, and there is no attempt to make us cry, but - personally - I think the subtle sadness, frustration and loneliness of George's tale is what makes it so incredibly powerful and moving.
It's an important subject, but like all great stories, this novel's strength comes not from what it is about, but how it is told. One might think a first person narrative would make us feel closer to George and her story, but the clever third person narration immediately introduces George in female pronouns - a fact that completely changes the way we read the book. George is not a boy wanting to be a girl, but a girl in a world where no one else can see it. It's an important distinction.
George is a middle-grade book, but that didn't put me off in the slightest. It follows George as she longs to play Charlotte in her school play but is told she cannot even audition for the part because she is a boy. But she knows that she's a girl. And she wants more than anything for the rest of the world to see it.
The story is sad and eye-opening - partly because of the bullying George endures, but even more so because of her loving mom's inability to understand:
“You will always be my little boy, and that will never change. Even when you grow up to be an old man, I will still love you as my son.�
Though, ultimately, this is not a depressing book. It's a heartwarming tale about learning to accept who you are, and it also educates the reader. It tells other Georges out there that they are not alone, that they have options, and that there is a support network available to them.
We should be giving this book to all children - male, female, transgender, intersex, genderqueer, or otherwise.
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Reading Progress
August 28, 2015
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Started Reading
August 28, 2015
– Shelved
August 29, 2015
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Finished Reading
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Vanessa
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Aug 29, 2015 11:23PM
I've found that many middle grade books are more profound than most YA. I need to read more MG. Great review! :)
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I was curious about this, so glad you liked it. I too have found some middle schooler books to be better than YA
Excellent review Emily. A very difficult but important subject. Glad to hear this is addressed so well in this book.
Currently reading this! Very enjoyable.
I love your thoughts on this Emily! Great review :) Going to pick up this book now
This is a great review and now I want to read this book!
Wouldn't it be nice if books like this were required reading in school curriculums? It's certainly relevant.
So this is an lgbt book emily? The book's blurb kinda sounded vague. Is there a paranormal aspect to this where george is truly a girl stuck in a guy's body, or is he simply homosexual? Great review by the way :)
Michael, I think the word you're looking for is transgender. There is nothing paranormal about that. Perhaps you should really read the book.
@carolina I see. I have yet to read lgbt books because most of them turn into cheesy, angsty and melodramatic works. But since I trust emily's recommendations, I might try this.
Great review on an important topic! I'll have to start recommending this one.
Michael Justine wrote: "So this is an lgbt book emily? The book's blurb kinda sounded vague. Is there a paranormal aspect to this where george is truly a girl stuck in a guy's body, or is he simply homosexual? Great rev..."
I agree with Carolina, Michael. Your comment makes me think you really need to read this book :) Also try None of the Above, if you haven't already.
@emily I'm not that familiar with lgbt distinctions lol. Here in my country, transgenders are generally considered gays too.
Michael Justine wrote: "@emily I'm not that familiar with lgbt distinctions lol. Here in my country, transgenders are generally considered gays too."Unfortunately, this isn't uncommon. But a transgender person can be gay, straight, bisexual or asexual, just like a cisgender person.
@emily may It's hard finding a good lgbt book though since most of them become cheesy and melodramatic by the end of it. I mean, you also didn't like aristotle and dante right emily? But I think I'll try simon vs the homo sapiens agenda because you liked that book so much, maybe that'll work for me hahaha.
Another great trans book is Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher. I will read this because Emily recommends. I generally like to read about trans people who are actively living authentically.
Emily wrote: "Another great trans book is Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher. I will read this because Emily recommends. I generally like to read about trans people who are actively living authentically."I normally agree, but I really think we needed a trans book for young kids who might be questioning their own gender, or for cisgender kids who don't understand it.
Wow great review. I've never heard of this one before. It sounds so interesting and so relevant to today's issues.
Oh, for sure Emily! I've just read more books about preteens pre-transition than teens or young adults post-transition.
Disclaimer: THIS IS NOT meant to be BASHING. I respect everyone's opinions and am allowed to have my own. Right? But, i do not believe in people having choices about their sexual orientation. It's like saying that God made a mistake (and I know everyone doesn't believe in God). I'm not ignorant about sexuality "issues" (for lack of a better word) going on nor do I judge. Everyone is accountable for themselves. This kind of read can be enlightening or detrimental to a child's psyche and is something I would not read or recommend. (So why am I here? I enjoy controversial issues
@Krys as someone who grew up religiously, I support the transgender community as I myself am not cis without having any conflicts with my religion. As you said, God does not make mistakes, but if you believe in the full story behind your religion you'd also believe that we live in a world filled with evil and bad things as well that can affect us. It can cause us to get hurt, sick, or die. It can also cause us to be born in the wrong body, at least that is what I believe. I never read anything against transgender people in the Bible, and believe me, trans people have been around for a looong time, contrary to what many believe.Emily, this is a really great review for what seems like a worthwhile book to read. I can't wait to pick it up. Thank you.
Krys wrote: "Disclaimer: THIS IS NOT meant to be BASHING. I respect everyone's opinions and am allowed to have my own. Right? But, i do not believe in people having choices about their sexual orientation. It'..."
As an atheist, I'm not concerned with the God aspect of this. But, as to your other comment, I don't see how understanding other children's perspectives and the way in which other people live is a bad thing or "detrimental".
@emily what made you become an athiest emily? Do you think the creation of the universe simply happened by chance and there was no creator that made everything come together perfectly?
@michael i am an atheist, as well. you mentioned "God" creating this perfect world. that is not very accurate since this world is clearly not perfect. "God" didn't just snap his fingers and create these worlds, it's science that made everything the way it is today.
@heather oh I didn't mean anything bad by my question there. I respect your opinion. I'm a christian and I just wanted to know em's thoughts. I believe science and God work hand in hand though. For me it's not entirely science considering the probability of big bang happening is like 1 in 10^1230. The odds are way too improbable for everything to just come together by chance.But then I respect your opinion :) I'm not looking for a long, tedious argument so I'll leave things at that.
If the big bang's probability is that low and that's the most plausible scientific theory how the universe was created, then I believe God enabled things to come together. But that's my belief. I'm not shoving it on anybody.
Oh thank you oodles and tons for reviewing. I've been interested in this book but was hesitant to start it and I haven't seen a lot of people I follow on goodreads review or rate it so I didn't know whether it was worth it. Now I obviously do.
@michael Saying that since the probability of the big bang happening is small means that it cannot have happened is like saying that winning the lottery is impossible because the probability of that is small. The big bang theory is not based on its probability, but on the hard scientific evidence that proves it.
@anna But the probability of winning the lottery is much higher. For instance, the probability of winning the U.K lottery is approximately one in 14 million. Now compare that to the big bang's 1 in 10^1230.Anyway, this isn't the proper place for debates lol. So I think we should stop.
There are so many reasons why I'm an atheist, I could write an essay on it. Actually - no, make that a book. But I have no desire for a debate or to offend anyone, so probably best to leave the subject alone.
I just read this book based on your review Emily. I now want to go and buy a thousands of copies to give away to every adult possible. I cannot thank you enough for bringing this book to my attention so I could not only adore it but pass it on to try and remind people that feelings belong to the owner of those feelings and no one can take them away from that person. Interestingly while this is a middle school book I believe it's approach is exactly what the literature and LBGT community need to help people understand that you cannot judge another's feelings as you are not them and their feelings cannot be wrong. Regardless of belief system or upbringing children feel what they feel.
Additionally you hit it bang on Emily when you indicate this is a book about a girl who happened to be born a boy and not a book about a boy who wishes to be a girl. No matter how it may appear or someone is treated outwardly; on the inside their feelings are the only truth.
I just finished this, isn't it amazing. I have already contacted our school librarian and asked her to order it. I plan on reading it to my class before the end of the year.
Lover of Literature wrote: "My library banned this book":( That makes me so sad. It's one thing to have your own beliefs about an issue, but it's another thing entirely to limit others' access to different viewpoints.
Wonderful review!! Defiantly going to read this beauty. I read another middle-grade book that reminded me of this one about a boy wanting to be a girl... I loved that one and I think. I'll like this one too! -HY
Gracefully Grayson. That's the name of the book.
This story is much too simple for my tastes. The characters fit stereotypes so well, and the supposed climax is really just a school play. The author has been unable to communicate the sadness to me all the rest of you seem to feel. Try the symptoms of being human by Jeff Garvin, if you want a well-written, emotional story about being a member of the LGBTQ community
