Melissa
(Book)

Previously published as George by Scholastic Press in 2015.

"Hey folks, just a reminder that I made a huge mistake in the title of my first book, GEORGE. That is a name my MC never wants to hear again. She is fictional and it's in the narrative for a reason, but the title could have been just about anything different. I'm sorry, Melissa."--Tweet from the author, @lxgino, December 2, 2018

"Just a reminder that you officially have my permission to correct your copy of Melissa's Story ... #SharpieActivism"--Tweet from the author, @lxgino, July 1, 2021.

Author requested publisher to change name of title in 2021, previously titled "George."

Previously published as George by Scholastic Press in 2015. The author changed the title to Melissa, effective retroactively. "When people look at Melissa, they think they see a boy named George. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl. Melissa thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. Melissa really, really, 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, Melissa comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte -- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all." --Page [4] of cover.

Ages: 10-12.

Grades 5-7.

Middle School.

Reading L: 5.0

790,Lexile.

Accelerated Reader,5.0.

Accelerated Reader AR,MG,5.0,4.0,176832.

Reading Counts!,5.2.

Reading Counts RC,3-5,5.2,8,Quiz: 66404.

Stonewall Book Award, Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children's Literature Award, 2016

NCTE Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children Recommended Book, 2016

Rainbow Book List Award, 2016

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2016.

Lambda Literary Award, 2015