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September Read - The War that Saved My Life
By Kristen · 52 posts · 232 views
By Kristen · 52 posts · 232 views
last updated Nov 08, 2016 01:53AM
What Members Thought
This is an extremely important book, and it's a good read too. In my community, I probably wouldn't use this book any younger than 5th grade, but with guided conversations, it could work as low as third grade.
The thing I find most exciting about this book is that it's published by Scholastic. SCHOLASTIC. That makes a pretty strong statement about the stories students deserve to have access to. Bravo. ...more
The thing I find most exciting about this book is that it's published by Scholastic. SCHOLASTIC. That makes a pretty strong statement about the stories students deserve to have access to. Bravo. ...more
This is one of the most important books I've ever read.
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This is the first book that I have read on transgenders. It was well done. My only critism is the cliche portrayal of femininity. It's not all tutus, pink shirts, and panties with tiny hearts on it.
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Grades 4-7. George has never been able to be herself. Unlike the other girls at school, she was born looking like a boy. Even her mom and brother don't know. Some kids at school think she's weird, especially when she wants to be the spider in the Charlotte's Web play at school.
Fortunately, George's finds a way to start letting people know who she really is.
Transgender has come more publicized in recent years. I appreciate that the author can relate what it must be like for young kids. I also lik ...more
Fortunately, George's finds a way to start letting people know who she really is.
Transgender has come more publicized in recent years. I appreciate that the author can relate what it must be like for young kids. I also lik ...more
I’ve been meaning to read this since it was released, and two things made me finally pick it up - an openly trans 6th grader joined my library bookgroup, and this book was challenged for its inclusion on the next year’s Oregon Battle of the Books list. It’s on the 3rd-5th grade reading list, and apparently some people don’t want kids to know that trans people exist? The book is very much aimed at 3rd-5th grades, with an elementary school-aged main character. It’s about identity, not sexual attra
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I like the idea of this book, and I think this is a good start to introduce younger audience about transgender. George is a nice character and it's easy to sympathize with him. But I think some parts in the book are too pushy, too "telling". It's as if the writer told us what to think and how to react. I don't know if this is because the audience of the book is kids/middle graders or is it just the way Alex Gino writes. The story is enlightening but not extraordinary. Also, it has a huge spoiler
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This is an artfully written book about a young transgender character, just beginning to explore what it will mean for her to be herself and not the person others perceive her to be. I think it would be a great tool for children dealing with this issue - either themselves or to help them understand someone else's situation. Great discussion material.
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As I reflect on this school year, I think Melissa (Formerly George) was the right book at the right time for many readers, for many reasons. I think it will continue to be for years to come.
Update: New cover art with the updated title can be found here: https://www.scholastic.com/site/alex-... ...more
Update: New cover art with the updated title can be found here: https://www.scholastic.com/site/alex-... ...more
Jul 09, 2015
Kristin McIlhagga
marked it as to-read
