Books I've Loved: George

I don't often read middle grade books, but this one sounded so far up my alley, I had to read it.  And it's great.  The writer very cleverly captures both George's confusion and her certainty about who she is.

But it isn't easy as an eleven-year-old girl everyone sees as an eleven-year-old boy.  Luckily George has some good people in her life who are willing to try and understand her.  Of course, there are other people who are less understanding, but George does a good job of getting her own back on the bullies too.

Because this is for younger readers, everything is pretty simple and George doesn't face anything truly horrific.  But the things she does deal with are enough, and when she triumphs over them, there is a real sense of victory.

I think this is a must for every school and library because there are confused, frightened kids everywhere who feel out of place and unsure about who they are and why they're feeling this way.  Reading this book might offer them comfort in knowing they are not alone and realizing they can be who they are without hurting those around them.

But don't believe me. Here's the blurb:

BE WHO YOU ARE.

When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl.

George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part . . . because she's a boy.

With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte -- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.