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By Kristen · 52 posts · 232 views
By Kristen · 52 posts · 232 views
last updated Nov 08, 2016 01:53AM
What Members Thought
This is going to be a difficult review. The topic of transgender kids still is a bit uncomfortable to me. Part of the reason is that the idea of gender for kids is often much too stereotyped for my liking. When my own children were little, each one of them went through what I call the gender identification stage - the stage where, even though previously all they wanted to wear was pants or shorts, they now needed to wear dresses. I am not sure where they got the idea that girls needed to wear dr
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I really liked this take on the life of George, a transgender tween, and her voyage of self discovery and revelation to the world, entwining around the story of Charlotte's Web. With some subterfuge and the help of a sympathetic friend, George gets to play Charlotte in the class play despite the teacher's preconception that the part must be played by a girl.
I really didn't have to look at the author's name to know this person was probably transgender, because the details of the experience are s ...more
I really didn't have to look at the author's name to know this person was probably transgender, because the details of the experience are s ...more
So very good. I loved this. I almost missed it. I came across it on a former Tumblr site called ThisIsTeen which I somehow tripped over on the internet archive.
George is such a great character and I absolutely love Kelly, the best friend in the world, and the narration flowed so smoothly and beautifully. The flow and tone and mood of the telling was like realism in a fairytale costume. I suppose that's in large part the simplicity of the writing but simple just doesn't feel like a fitting adject ...more
George is such a great character and I absolutely love Kelly, the best friend in the world, and the narration flowed so smoothly and beautifully. The flow and tone and mood of the telling was like realism in a fairytale costume. I suppose that's in large part the simplicity of the writing but simple just doesn't feel like a fitting adject ...more
I think transgender issues are very big at the moment and we probably need to be able to discuss them with kids. This book is written simply enough that just about any independent reader would be able to handle it, but I wonder how much blow back there would be by putting it in an elementary school library.
I liked but didn't love this book; good theme and easy reading. George's best friend was a bit of an unrealistic character, more like a device than a person, in telling the story of George/Melissa. I'm glad there is something written for this upper elementary age group.
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Listened to this book. The story was way too short and underdeveloped. I feel it should have continued on to show how Melissa ended up fitting in. What is she going to do the day after the zoo?
A very insightful book, gives an understanding to the thoughts, feelings and struggles of someone coming to grips with who they are and letting people know.
A good book about a much needed topic. I hope many will look past their fear and think of their patrons when purchasing for school libraries.
4.5
I like the focus on Melissa's friend Kelly and how she accepted Melissa as the girl she thinks she is and that's really important. Also her principal offering an open door and a safe space is awesome. But, I feel like a big part of the book was forced. I have a 4th grader & know him, his friends, and classmates and many of the ideas, words & behaviors in this are too mature for them...meaning they most likely wouldn't do or say them. Now 5th graders? Yes. I can see that.
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Nov 23, 2015
Valentina
marked it as to-read
Jan 19, 2016
Lynne Keith
added it
Dec 12, 2021
Michelle
rated it
really liked it
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Shelves:
middlegradefiction,
lgbtq
