Melissa

By: Alex Gino

Narrated by: Jamie Clayton

Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

BE WHO YOU ARE.

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.

©2015 Alex Gino (P)2015 Scholastic Inc.

Perfect <3

I loved this book so much!! It was absolutely sweet and wholesome and showed the experience of a young trans girl in a relatable and touching way. I wish there were more children's books like this, and I wish I'd read this as a kid. It would have helped me accept myself.
The narration here was also highly enjoyable and generally I recommend this to everyone, no matter what age!

Wow

I received this book for free in order to give an honest opinion. Wow! As a mother I can only imagine how hard it would be for a child to feel so completely cut off from who he/she felt they where inside.,transgender is so new to many of us. But it is very sad.this book really help me to see things from the child's point. Very grateful. I'm also a foster parent I'll keep this book as an aide should I ever need it to help another child.

incredible story

this book is an incredible and very important story for adults and kids! it will have a lasting impact on your heart and change the way you view the world and people around you

Wow, a happy ending!

This book is an amazing portrayal of the trans experience from a trans writer and narrator. As a Cis person, I felt like I finally saw from George's perspective the daily slights and indignities suffered by kids whose identitities do not match the gender assigned to them at birth. Every time George was misgendered, even by those who love her, I winced. So many stories about trans kids are syrupy-sweet optimism or scary and depressing; To have a portrayal be realistic but with a happy ending felt good and real. I hope to share the print book with my students this year, and give my students another perspective of what it may be like for trans people in our world.

Love this book so much! I hope there's a sequel!

This book give all the feels!

I cried so much reading it T-T but in a good way!
A good LGBT book for all age's. 5 out of 5.

poignant<br />

this is a story that touches you heart... it lends understanding of being transgender in a moving believable way.
it resonates with the struggles our society is trying to deal with.
good for adults. children and teens

Easily a Contender for Best Short Story, 2016

I rarely give 5 stars across the board, but this book deserves it. The story is timely, relevant and important, but so much more than that. This is one of those stories that is written and performed so brilliantly that the writing and performance seems to fade away. We forget that we are reading or listening to a book.

While this book is in the "Kids/Young Adult" genre, it really should just be in the "Human" category, it's that authentic.

Of my entire Audible library (167 titles to date), George has easily made it to the top 10, probably even the top 5.

Beautiful, inspiring story.

The strength that's exuded in this story, especially from such a young child, is awe INSPIRING.

Excellent introduction to transfer issues for children

This book was an excellent introduction to transfer issues for elementary and junior high students. It follows the life of a 4th grade transgender girl, George, as deals with constantly being misgendered and struggles to come out to her best friend and family, as well as to her school as a whole. The book has a good dash of realism regarding the struggles cisgender people often have in accepting trans individuals and family members, without being too overwhelming for its young readers. As for the narration, Ms. Clayton did a wonderful, lively job.

Should be required for middle schoolers

George is a 4th grade student who knows deep inside she’s really a girl. The story revolves around this during a school play the class is going to perform of Charlotte’s Web, in which George wants to play Charlotte, but is unable to because she’s a boy. But her best friend Kelly has a plan!! Will it work, or will George be disappointed once again?

This book was amazing. It should pretty much be required reading for all kids in grade school at some point, in my opinion.

The transformation from George through the story is beautiful. The struggles and fear that she faces as she tries so gather courage to let others know about her true self are honest and real.

The audible version is narrated by Jamie Clayton, who is transgendered, and this adds a wonderful level of authenticity to the story.

This genre is still pretty new, and books are coming out all the time, but one excellent non-fiction book you should checkout about raising a transgendered child is:

Raising My Rainbow by Lori Duran