George

Gino, A. (2015).  George.  NY: Scholastic.

George was born a boy, but really identifies as a girl and knows deep down that she is a girl. George is living a secret life, but things begin to change when the teacher announces that they will perform the play Charlotte’s Web.  All George wants to do is play the part of Charlotte.  George tries out for the part but is told that she can’t be Charlotte because Charlotte is a girl. With the help of her best friend, George sneaks in to the performance to play the part of Charlotte.  George’s best friend Kelly is supportive and loyal, even after she learns the truth about George.  Kelly even helps George dress up as a girl for the first time and go out to the zoo with her uncle. The story ends with George being happier than she has ever been, and dreaming about all the possibilities waiting for her in the future. I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but it was enjoyable and really made me think about my students and the struggles that they may be going through that I don't really know about or understand.  It reminded me that I really need to be open and ready to listen. Havinghurst's theory of developmental tasks states that adolescents must define their appropriate sex roles and sometimes these roles are dictated by society, which is evident in this book. Sometimes teens don't fit into the defined boxes that society creates for them.

This book could be used with grades 6-8.

 

This book is so new that teaching units and book talk information is not out there yet. There is a BIG conversation that could happen with this book!