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emily_mh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
You need to look at this book as character-driven, not plot-driven. The plot is light, only there as a backdrop for Melissa’s development, which is deep, thoughtful, and well-paced. Her story is about gaining confidence in who she is and mustering the courage to be who she is and come out to people. I was in awe of her bravery!
Kelly, Melissa’s best friend, was an absolute legend of an friend and ally. I loved every page she was on due to her standout personality. Also, I (surprisingly) liked Scott, Melissa’s brother! He had that likeable chill, unquestioning support.
Ultimately this book is about trans joy and hope, even though Melissa struggles to get there. It is so important that books like this exist, not only for visibility but also so queer and questioning kids can see that their future is bright. Read banned books!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, and Transphobia
Moderate: Physical abuse, Vomit, and Violence
Minor: Animal death, Death, Ableism, Homophobia, Sexual harassment, and Excrement
Major: misgendering (mostly unintentional if memory serves) Moderate: toxic masculinitymortimerdeadsea's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Oddly enough, I did read Rick before reading this so I might reread Rick now that I've finally read this book.
This book is often heralded as a pillar of queer middle grade and I can fully understand why. This is a very sweet story a young trans girl with a strong conviction; she knows she's a girl and she knows what being trans means and she knows who she wants to be and what she wants to do. Books about young trans kids are so important, especially now with all the attacks on trans people happening in the US and UK right now, especially against trans children.
Some more specific things I loved:
Oddly enough, the portrayal of bullying. Melissa often gets referred to as a girl by her mean-spirited peers, and I think it makes a good point about the feelings that occur when your bullies are right. Queer children get called gay as an insult. Young closeted trans girls get called girl as an insult. It hurts a lot, and it hurts in part because its true. There are so many stories that are like "just because this little boy is feminine doesn't mean he's gay or a girl" and "just because this little girl is masculine doesn't mean she's a lesbian" and yeah, I get where they're coming from, but the fact of the matter is, those stories come with the implication that those children don't deserve to be bullied because the bullies are wrong. The lesson becomes "the kids shouldn't be called gay because they aren't gay" as opposed to "these kids shouldn't be called gay as an insult because being gay isn't an insult." The same can be said for Melissa's classmates calling her a girl; it doesn't hurt because she's not a girl, because she is a girl, its because they're trying to hurt her.
Slightly related, I liked the portrayal of Melissa's mother and brother. The mom immediately becomes defensive and harsh when she discovers Melissa's girl magazines. She does this because of the fact she things Melissa is an effeminate gay boy and tells Melissa that she's thinks she's making things harder for herself. A lot of times, parents will also assume their kids are gay before assuming they're trans and will also squash down their children's self-expressions because they think they're protecting them. But when Melissa reveals how hard it is for her to keep pretending to be a boy, the mom comes around when she realizes how important it is to her. The brother on the other hand, as obnoxious as he is, comes around very quickly to the idea of Melissa being a girl. He is told and then accepts it. Some of Melissa's teachers are the same, where some don't accept her self-expression as Charlotte, while other teachers do.
On a much lighter note, I loved Melissa's friend Kelly. She is also supportive fairly quickly, and when she gets the role of Charlotte, she gives up one of the nights to Melissa so that she can be Charlotte, wanting her to be happy.
There were other things I didn't really like, but I do understand why they were the way they were. There's a lot of very strict gender roles, such as Kelly saying that she's glad to have more "girl time" now that Melissa's a girl and Melissa's brother believing that Melissa wasn't "good at being a boy" because she wasn't like him or her male peers. I wish the book gave more space for gender non-conformity in these moments because at times it felt like, in an attempt to make Melissa's gender clear, the book created a very strict dichotomy between boys and girls. I do understand it though, given the fact that it takes place in an elementary school and young children are often immersed in gender roles. I think Rick does a very good job at expanding on that given that there are a much greater array of gender identity and expression in the book.
All in all, I'm glad this book exists, I'm glad its existed for seven years, and I'm glad that its been republished under a new name. I hope that the kids who need this book get it in their hands.
This book is often heralded as a pillar of queer middle grade and I can fully understand why. This is a very sweet story a young trans girl with a strong conviction; she knows she's a girl and she knows what being trans means and she knows who she wants to be and what she wants to do. Books about young trans kids are so important, especially now with all the attacks on trans people happening in the US and UK right now, especially against trans children.
Some more specific things I loved:
Oddly enough, the portrayal of bullying. Melissa often gets referred to as a girl by her mean-spirited peers, and I think it makes a good point about the feelings that occur when your bullies are right. Queer children get called gay as an insult. Young closeted trans girls get called girl as an insult. It hurts a lot, and it hurts in part because its true. There are so many stories that are like "just because this little boy is feminine doesn't mean he's gay or a girl" and "just because this little girl is masculine doesn't mean she's a lesbian" and yeah, I get where they're coming from, but the fact of the matter is, those stories come with the implication that those children don't deserve to be bullied because the bullies are wrong. The lesson becomes "the kids shouldn't be called gay because they aren't gay" as opposed to "these kids shouldn't be called gay as an insult because being gay isn't an insult." The same can be said for Melissa's classmates calling her a girl; it doesn't hurt because she's not a girl, because she is a girl, its because they're trying to hurt her.
Slightly related, I liked the portrayal of Melissa's mother and brother. The mom immediately becomes defensive and harsh when she discovers Melissa's girl magazines. She does this because of the fact she things Melissa is an effeminate gay boy and tells Melissa that she's thinks she's making things harder for herself. A lot of times, parents will also assume their kids are gay before assuming they're trans and will also squash down their children's self-expressions because they think they're protecting them. But when Melissa reveals how hard it is for her to keep pretending to be a boy, the mom comes around when she realizes how important it is to her. The brother on the other hand, as obnoxious as he is, comes around very quickly to the idea of Melissa being a girl. He is told and then accepts it. Some of Melissa's teachers are the same, where some don't accept her self-expression as Charlotte, while other teachers do.
On a much lighter note, I loved Melissa's friend Kelly. She is also supportive fairly quickly, and when she gets the role of Charlotte, she gives up one of the nights to Melissa so that she can be Charlotte, wanting her to be happy.
There were other things I didn't really like, but I do understand why they were the way they were. There's a lot of very strict gender roles, such as Kelly saying that she's glad to have more "girl time" now that Melissa's a girl and Melissa's brother believing that Melissa wasn't "good at being a boy" because she wasn't like him or her male peers. I wish the book gave more space for gender non-conformity in these moments because at times it felt like, in an attempt to make Melissa's gender clear, the book created a very strict dichotomy between boys and girls. I do understand it though, given the fact that it takes place in an elementary school and young children are often immersed in gender roles. I think Rick does a very good job at expanding on that given that there are a much greater array of gender identity and expression in the book.
All in all, I'm glad this book exists, I'm glad its existed for seven years, and I'm glad that its been republished under a new name. I hope that the kids who need this book get it in their hands.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Bullying
Minor: Animal death
vixenreader's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
An important book for middle schoolers, especially when including them to the trans community.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming and Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Animal death and Violence
If you know about “Charlotte’s Web,” there is a lot of spoilers and other warnings associated with that particular book.drizzlybear's review
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Transphobia
Moderate: Animal death
leahlovesloslibros's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
10-year-old George was assigned male at birth, but knows she's a girl. The problem is, no one else knows. When it comes time for her fourth grade class to put on the play Charlotte's Web, all George wants is to play Charlotte; however, Charlotte is a girl's role, and George is afraid that she won't be allowed to play the role since no one else sees her true identity.
This book is a must-read for everyone: kids, parents, teachers, anyone who works with children, etc. All readers can learn something from seeing the world through the eyes of a young trans girl trying to navigate her world. There are conversations with friends and family that show how difficult these times can be, as well as how beautiful they can be. There are moments where all you want to do is pull George in for a hug and let her know that she is loved, and that everything is going to be alright.
Alex Gino did a beautiful job with George's emotions; they really allow the reader to see the world through George's eyes, and therefore sympathize with her, even if we can't personally relate to her struggles, which I believe to be so important as a critical reader. As someone who works with children myself, I know firsthand that there are so many kids who need LGBTQIAP+ books, and this is one I would recommend hands-down.
This book is a must-read for everyone: kids, parents, teachers, anyone who works with children, etc. All readers can learn something from seeing the world through the eyes of a young trans girl trying to navigate her world. There are conversations with friends and family that show how difficult these times can be, as well as how beautiful they can be. There are moments where all you want to do is pull George in for a hug and let her know that she is loved, and that everything is going to be alright.
Alex Gino did a beautiful job with George's emotions; they really allow the reader to see the world through George's eyes, and therefore sympathize with her, even if we can't personally relate to her struggles, which I believe to be so important as a critical reader. As someone who works with children myself, I know firsthand that there are so many kids who need LGBTQIAP+ books, and this is one I would recommend hands-down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Transphobia, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Animal death
Additional TW/CW: misgendering, gender dysphoria, internalized transphobia
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