Melissa, previously published as George until April 2022, is a children's novel about a young transgender girl written by American author Alex Gino. The novel tells the story of Melissa, a fourth-grade girl who is struggling to be herself to the rest of the world. The rest of the world sees Melissa as George, a boy. Melissa uses the class play, Charlotte's Web, to show her mom that she is a girl by switching roles with her best friend, and playing the part of Charlotte. Scholastic first published the novel on August 25, 2015, and it has had a mixed reaction because of its LGBT+ content. In 2021, Gino retitled the novel Melissa.
The novel has received positive feedback from sources such as the New York Times and the National Public Radio for its inclusion of transgender experiences.However, the book has remained controversial to some parents and teachers, leading it …
Melissa, previously published as George until April 2022, is a children's novel about a young transgender girl written by American author Alex Gino. The novel tells the story of Melissa, a fourth-grade girl who is struggling to be herself to the rest of the world. The rest of the world sees Melissa as George, a boy. Melissa uses the class play, Charlotte's Web, to show her mom that she is a girl by switching roles with her best friend, and playing the part of Charlotte. Scholastic first published the novel on August 25, 2015, and it has had a mixed reaction because of its LGBT+ content. In 2021, Gino retitled the novel Melissa.
The novel has received positive feedback from sources such as the New York Times and the National Public Radio for its inclusion of transgender experiences.However, the book has remained controversial to some parents and teachers, leading it to be listed on the American Library Association's list of the 10 Most Challenged Books of 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 (topping the list in 2018, 2019, and 2020). Common reasons for challenging the book include its sexual references and conflict with “traditional family structure,” with some saying schools and libraries should not “put books in a child’s hand that require discussion.” It ultimately became the fifth-most banned book between 2010 and 2020.
Absolutely wonderful read. This was one of several books on my daughters summer reading list. I decided to read it, along with some of the others on the list. I like that this, along with a growing list of other authors, she is getting an exposure much earlier than I did to diverse perspectives and experiences. Being able to have terminology and definitions to help you understand your own or others experiences and feelings is something I didn't not have growing up.
If you think YA or pre-teen books are just for kids, they are not, you can and should pick them up - whether you have kids or not.
