4^th Grade and Up

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.

One day, her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte’s Web. George 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.

Before we start, let’s just get one thing straight here. I know a lot of you are confused after reading that summary. Well, I was when I first read it. You might be wondering, ‘How can anybody think this girl is a boy?’ I was wondering that too.

I didn’t understand this until the third chapter, and the only way I can explain it is this: She is a girl trapped in a boy’s body. She has the body and all the parts of a boy, but she has a girl’s mind. I know I’m not explaining this right. I read the book, and I still don’t really understand how it works.

If you’re wondering why I’m making a big deal about this, it’s because when I first read the summary, I thought this story was about a girl who everyone mistook for a boy. I didn’t realize my mistake until the third chapter. I just felt like I should warn you before you read the book so you don’t get surprised like I did. But I also feel like I shouldn’t have warned you because it might discourage you from reading it.

I’m not saying this isn’t a good book; it’s a great way of giving kids an understanding of transgender people.