Alex Gino's lovely novel, George, tells the story of a 4th grader struggling to come out to her family and classmates as transgender. George, as she begins to understand her identity, longs for nothing more than to show the world how great she can be by performing as Charlotte in the class's play of Charlotte's Web. Of course, denied by her teacher and by her family, George must figure out a way to make herself shine on stage nonetheless. With the help of a supportive friend, George is able to find her way and find herself.
This is a delightful novel. Perhaps most stunning and worthwhile as a teaching point is the narration of the novel; never faltering, the narrator gracefully uses the pronoun "she" throughout the entirety of the novel, giving George the space to be who she is even when those around her won't. If you're working with students around identity and writing, this is an excellent teachable moment for the power of narration and the importance of language.
Given that the book takes place during George's 4th grade year, this is a must-read for late elementary and early middle school readers. It reads fast and lovely the whole way through.
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