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Quick answer: If you loved George, read Alex Gino's Rick and You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P!, then Gracefully Grayson, Lily and Dunkin, Aristotle and Dante and Better Nate Than Ever. All are warm middle-grade and young adult stories about identity, friendship and being yourself.
Alex Gino's 2015 novel, later published under the title Melissa, follows a fourth grader who knows she is a girl, though everyone sees her as a boy, and who dreams of playing Charlotte in the school production of Charlotte's Web. It is gentle, hopeful and clear. The books below offer similar stories of identity and acceptance for young readers.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rick | Alex Gino | Ages 9-13 | questioning and friendship |
| You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! | Alex Gino | Ages 8-12 | family and race |
| Gracefully Grayson | Ami Polonsky | Ages 9-13 | trans identity |
| Lily and Dunkin | Donna Gephart | Ages 9-13 | trans friendship |
| Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe | Benjamin Alire Saenz | Teen | coming of age |
| Better Nate Than Ever | Tim Federle | Ages 10-14 | musical dreams |
| Wonder | R. J. Palacio | Ages 8-12 | kindness |
| Drama | Raina Telgemeier | Ages 9-13 | theatre graphic novel |
| From the Desk of Zoe Washington | Janae Marks | Ages 9-13 | letters and justice |
| Stella Diaz Has Something to Say | Angela Dominguez | Ages 7-10 | shy girl |
| Ghost | Jason Reynolds | Ages 10-14 | running and healing |
| I Am Jazz | Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings | Ages 4-8 | picture book |
| Heartstopper | Alice Oseman | Teen | graphic romance |
| New Kid | Jerry Craft | Ages 8-12 | graphic novel |
| Front Desk | Kelly Yang | Ages 8-12 | immigrant family |
1. Rick by Alex Gino
A boy starts middle school and begins to question who he is. Warm and honest.
Best for: questioning and friendship.
2. You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! by Alex Gino
A girl learns about her deaf sister's world and about racism. Thoughtful and funny.
Best for: family and race.
3. Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky
A sixth grader dreams of being seen as a girl. Quiet and moving.
Best for: trans identity.
4. Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart
A transgender girl and a boy with bipolar disorder become friends. Warm and funny.
Best for: trans friendship.
5. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Two Mexican American boys become friends in 1980s El Paso. Gentle and moving.
Best for: coming of age.
6. Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle
A boy runs away to audition for a Broadway musical. Funny and sweet.
Best for: musical dreams.
7. Wonder by R. J. Palacio
A boy with a facial difference starts school. A modern classic.
Best for: kindness.
8. Drama by Raina Telgemeier
A girl works on a school musical. Funny and fast.
Best for: theatre graphic novel.
9. From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
A girl writes to her father in prison. Gentle and honest.
Best for: letters and justice.
10. Stella Diaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez
Stella is nervous about speaking up. A warm story about friendship and confidence.
Best for: shy girl.
11. Ghost by Jason Reynolds
A boy joins a track team and learns to face his past. Fast and funny.
Best for: running and healing.
12. I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings
Jazz explains her life as a trans girl. A simple and sweet picture book.
Best for: picture book.
13. Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Two schoolboys fall in love. Gentle and joyful.
Best for: graphic romance.
14. New Kid by Jerry Craft
A boy starts at a new private school and navigates fitting in. Funny and wise.
Best for: graphic novel.
15. Front Desk by Kelly Yang
A girl helps run a motel and learns about fairness. Warm and funny.
Best for: immigrant family.
How to Choose
For more Gino read Rick and You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! For stories of gender identity pick Gracefully Grayson or Lily and Dunkin. For gentle coming-of-age read Aristotle and Dante or Better Nate Than Ever. For kindness and community try Wonder and Front Desk. For younger readers use I Am Jazz. George is short and warm, so these picks suit readers and families who want to talk about identity. George is one of the most challenged children's books in America, which has made it a topic of public discussion. Many librarians and teachers recommend it as a gentle introduction to the topic. Alex Gino writes about identity with warmth and humour, so their books are often used by families and classrooms to open conversations. If your child enjoyed George, Rick is a good next step, and Wonder is a gentle companion. Libraries and school book fairs often stock Gino's novels.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is George about?
A fourth grader who knows she is a girl hopes to play Charlotte in the school play.
Who wrote it?
Alex Gino.
When was it published?
2015.
Is it the same as Melissa?
Yes, it was renamed in later editions.
What age is it for?
Roughly ages 8 to 12.
Is it a sad story?
It has hard moments but a hopeful ending.
Why is it often challenged?
Because of its transgender protagonist.
What should I read next?
Try Rick or Gracefully Grayson.
Who is Alex Gino?
An American author of middle-grade novels about identity, who uses they/them pronouns.
Is George suitable for younger readers?
It is written for ages 8 to 12 and is gentle in tone.