“George,” by Alex Gino, is a middle-grade novel that tells the story of Melissa, a girl who desperately wants to play Charlotte in her classroom’s theatrical production of “Charlotte’s Web”. It sounds like it could be the plot of any charming school days book, with one noticeable difference—Melissa was born a boy. Her classmates, family, and teacher know her as George, and she wants to play Charlotte not only out of admiration for the book she loves but also as a way to tell the world who she really is: a girl.
“Unstoppable Octobia May” is a book I wish was out when I was a kid. It’s a rare example of a middle-grade novel that grate on adult sensibilities, and packs a powerful punch to boot.
Colette Iselin has had a rough year, but a class trip to France offers an escape from all her troubles. Once she arrives, Colette begins to see the ghost of Marie Antoinette, who appears to be murdering members of old aristocratic families all around Paris. And, of course, Colette soon realizes that she might be next!