George (novel)
| Author | Alex Gino |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | LGBT, children's fiction, transgender |
| Published | 2015 |
| Publisher | Scholastic Press[1] |
| Pages | 195pp[1] |
| ISBN | 978-0-545-81254-2 |
George is a children's novel about a young transgender girl written by Alex Gino.[1][2]
Plot
George, a fourth grader, dreams of playing Charlotte, the female spider, rather than Wilbur, the male pig, in her school's production of Charlotte's Web. George auditions for the part by reciting Charlotte's lines to her teacher, who thinks that George is playing a joke on her. While initially upset, George refuses to participate in the play but volunteers for stage crew. After George comes out as transgender to her best friend Kelly, the two devise a plan for George to play Charlotte during the evening performance of Charlotte's Web.
Reception
Prior to George's commercial release publisher Scholastic Corporation sent over 10,000 copies to teachers in the United States which received mixed, but largely positive feedback.[2]
The School Library Journal, in a starred review, writes that George is "A required purchase for any collection that serves a middle grade population".[3] In an [National Public Radio] review of George j wallace skelleton points out that Melissa isn't powerless when she faces her bullies, and that the novel as a whole "is a narrative about a young person who is very much trying to become who they are."[4]
Awards
- 2016 Stonewall Book Award: Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children's Literature Award[5]
- 2016 California Book Awards: Juvenile (Gold)[6]
- 2016 Lambda Literary Award: LGBT Children's/Young Adult[7]
Nominations
- 2016-2017 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award[8]
- 2016 E.B. White Read Aloud Award: Middle Reader[9]
- 2016-2017 Georgia Children's Book (Gr. 4-8) Awards: Other Worthwhile Books for Grades 4-8[10]
- 2015 Goodreads Choice Award: Best Middle Grade & Children's[11]
Audiobook
Trans woman actress Jamie Clayton narrated the audiobook for the novel.[12]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 Federle, Tim (September 11, 2015). "'George,' by Alex Gino". The New York Times.
- 1 2 Alter, Alexandra (June 6, 2015). "Transgender Children's Books Fill a Void and Break a Taboo". The New York Times.
- ↑ Abrams, Ingrid. School Library Journal. (July 17, 2015). "George by Alex Gino | SLJ Review"
- ↑ Ulaby, Neda. NPR. (August 28, 2015) 'George' Wants You To Know: She's Really Melissa
- ↑ ALAnews. (January 12, 2016) "2016 Stonewall Book Awards Announced."
- ↑ "California Book Awards". Commonwealth Club of California.
- ↑ "The 2016 Lambda Literary Award Winners". Lambda Literary Foundation.
- ↑ "Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Master List 2016 – 2017" (PDF). Vermont Department of Libraries.
- ↑ Hawkins, Rosemary (March 16, 2016). "ABA Announces 2016 Indies Choice/E.B. White Read-Aloud Award Finalists". Association of Booksellers for Children.
- ↑ "2016-2017 Georgia Children's Book (Gr. 4-8) Award Finalists" (PDF). University of Georgia.
- ↑ "Best Middle Grade & Children's". Goodreads.
- ↑ Swanson, Clare (July 10, 2015). "July 2015 Audio Books: In the Studio". Publishers Weekly.