Book Review: George

George
Alex Gino
Scholastic Press, 2015
Genre: Middle Grade, LGBTQ, Realistic
Source: Borrowed from public library
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

George feels like he's a girl, but all anyone sees is a boy.  They call her a boy, refer to how she'll be a man one day, and expect her to do things a boy would do--like use the boys' restroom.  It's hard and she has no one to confide in, to talk about how she feels.  So she hides the teen magazines in her closet and keeps her thoughts to herself.

When their teacher announces auditions for the class play of Charlotte's Web, George knows she has to have the part of Charlotte.  Her best friend Kelly helps her out, but how can George show everyone what she already knows--that she is a girl?

This is an important book about a transgender youth who is struggling.  You can see how miserable George is from the first pages when she's hiding magazines in the back of her closet, terrified that her brother or mom might find them.  She tries to make herself unseen by the bullies at school, but often fails at this.  She thinks that she's found the perfect solution to her problem--the play.

George has a great mom who works hard and does her best to make sure both of her children are happy, but she doesn't really see George for who she is.  Her older brother is a teenager who is more concerned with his life, but he's not a jerk.  He's actually pretty accepting.  Plus she has Kelly, her best friend.  WIthout Kelly, George would not have had the courage to do what she wanted.  I loved their relationship--especially because it wasn't a perfect friendship.  It was a real friendship.

I highly recommend this book, especially for middle schoolers.  It's a story about acceptance and understanding of someone who is different.  It may even be a book that helps someone feel more confident in being who they are, which is what George ultimately wants--to be who she is.  I also think this is a great book for anyone who works with youth.  It's a quick and easy read that can help remind you of your role in a child's life, even if it is for a short time.

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