George by Alex Gino

Anyone who wants to

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 the mind of a girl. 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 an actual girl who everyone was mistaking as 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 was. 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 good way of giving kids an understanding towards transgenders. I really don’t have an opinion about gays or transgenders or etc. I just think ‘Let people do what they want, it’s their life.’

Rainy by Sis Deans

Grade 4 and Up

Rainy isn’t thrilled about going to camp, away from her family and her beloved dog. Without her family there to help, how will she stay focused when her thoughts start bouncing around her brain like Ping-Pong balls?

Once Rainy finds friends who can handle her extreme energy, she decides that camp is great. She’s even gotten good at keeping track of her things. But when bad news from home floods her head with too many thoughts, she forgets the rules and sets off on a dangerous journey.

I’ve read many books in my life but this is the first book I’ve read starring a child with ADHD. I’m trying to create a character with ADHD and this book gave me some good information about what it’s like to live with it. I’ve always wondered what is going on inside the mind of someone with so much energy. You can practically see the thoughts bouncing around in their head.

I think the best way to handle a kid with a difference and pretty much anyone is to concentrate on what they can do rather than what they cannot do. You can’t force someone to be something they’re not, you have to work with them, not against them.

The thing I didn’t like was anytime someone told Rainy to act ‘normal’. I hate when people throw that word around like it actually means something. No one is ‘normal’. Anyone the least bit interesting is weird in someway.

Speaking of ADHD, here’s a fun Frazz comic on the subject.

Be sure to check out the ‘Author’s Note’ at the end of the book.