Melissa (Scholastic Gold) (Previously published as George)
Melissa (Scholastic Gold) (Previously published as George)
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Annotation: BE WHO YOU ARE. Melissa joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclus... more
 
Reviews: 2
Catalog Number: #378642
Format: Perma-Bound Edition
Copyright Date: 2022
Edition Date: 2022 Release Date: 04/19/22
ISBN: Publisher: 1-338-84341-9 Perma-Bound: 0-8000-5286-2
ISBN 13: Publisher: 978-1-338-84341-5 Perma-Bound: 978-0-8000-5286-7
Dewey: Fic
Language: English
Reviews:
Starred Review ALA Booklist (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Starred Review Ten-year-old George has a secret. Everyone thinks she is a boy, but inside she knows that she is really a girl named Melissa. When her fourth-grade class prepares to mount a dramatic production of Charlotte's Web, George knows that more than anything in the world, she wants to play the part of Charlotte. After all, who cares if she plays a girl's part? Hasn't her best friend Kelly told her that, in Shakespeare's time, men played all the parts, even those of girls and women? But things aren't that simple, not even when George summons the courage to dramatically show her single-parent mom the truth. Gino's debut novel is a sensitive, insightful portrayal of a transgender child coming to terms with gender identity. George is an appealing, thoroughly believable character, and her best friend Kelly adds humor and zest to this gentle story. Gino does an excellent job introducing factual information into the narrative without impinging upon the accessible and appealing story. Pair this important addition to the slender but growing body of transgender fiction with Ami Polonsky's Gracefully Grayson (2014).

Reviewing Agencies: - Find Other Reviewed Titles
Starred Review ALA Booklist (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)
School Library Journal (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)
Word Count: 29,177
Reading Level: 5.0
Interest Level: 3-6
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 5.0 / points: 4.0 / quiz: 176832 / grade: Middle Grades
Guided Reading Level: Z
Fountas & Pinnell: Z

From Melissa

George reached the end of Charlottes' monologue and was ready for the dialogue with Wilbur that followed. But George didn't hear her cue. She opened her eyes. Ms. Udell was frowning, and a thick crease had formed across her forehead.

"George, what was that?" she asked.

"I . . ." started George, but there were no words to finish the sentence. "I . . ."

"Was that supposed to be some kind of joke? Because it wasn't very funny."

"It wasn't a joke. I want to be Charlotte." George's voice sounded much smaller now that she was speaking her own words.

"You know I can't very well cast you as Charlotte. I have too many girls who want the part. Besides, imagine how confused people would be. Now, if you're interested in being Wilbur, that's a possibility. Or maybe Templeton -- he's a funny guy."

"No, thanks. I just . . . I wanted . . ."



Excerpted from Melissa (formerly Published As GEORGE) by Alex Gino
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

BE WHO YOU ARE.

Melissa joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content!

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

Melissa 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. Melissa 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, Melissa comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte -- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.


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