Book Review
A short overview of this book
George by Alex Gino is a sensitive story about a transgender girl who is trapped in the body of a boy and her journey to tell others of her secret.
This book was quite contentious and was banned in many schools due to the fact that it featured a transgendered child.
Books like this are a great way to start conversations in your household about what transgender means. It will also help to foster empathy and acceptance of diversity.
It is the sort of book that you could read together with your child. You could talk about what it means to be transgender, and how it might feel to be born in the wrong body.
You can learn more in this article, about how to talk to kids about gender and sex.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 9 to 13 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of George by Alex Gino from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue, my YouTube channel where I review books and share helpful info. Today, I want to talk about a book that a reader recommended to me. It’s called George by Alex Gino, and it’s a book for tweens and teens about being transgender.
Now, this book caused quite a stir and was even banned in some places because it deals with a controversial topic. But let me tell you, it’s a really important read. George is a chapter book, so it’s got lots of writing, but don’t worry, you can finish it in under an hour.
The story follows a child who was assigned male at birth but identifies as a girl. It’s all about their journey of self-discovery and how they navigate feeling like they don’t fit in their own body. At school, they get along with both boys and girls, which adds another layer to their story.
The book also explores how they come out to their parents, including their mom’s initial shock and eventual acceptance. It’s heartwarming to see how their older brother supports them and realizes that they are a girl on the inside. Overall, it’s a beautiful story that tackles important themes.
I actually gave this book to my 13-year-old daughter because I wanted her to read it. It’s not just for kids who might be transgender themselves, but also for those who want to understand and support their friends. It helps build empathy and teaches kids to be better friends.
I’m also planning to read it with my 10-year-old son. Even though he identifies as a boy, it’s important for him to learn about gender diversity and how to be accepting of others. Books like this are a great way to start conversations and educate our kids, even if we’re not always up to date with the latest jargon.
Now, you might be wondering why this book was banned. Honestly, I don’t pay much attention to the news, so I can’t give you all the details. But I think some people were afraid that it would somehow influence kids to change their gender. Let me tell you, kids are smarter than that. This book simply opens the door for conversations and helps children understand that being different is okay.
I personally believe that books like George make the world a better place by promoting acceptance and understanding. But hey, that’s just my opinion. You might feel differently, and that’s okay too.
The great thing is that there are more and more books being published that discuss transgender experiences. So if you’re interested, there’s a whole world of literature out there waiting for you.
I hope this review helps! Cheers!
