Melissa

'Alex Gino’s award-winning children’s novel about a trans girl, George, is being renamed Melissa, after Gino and publisher Scholastic said they made a mistake in titling it with a name “the main character does not like or want to use for herself”.

Published in 2015, the novel follows the story of trans fourth grader Melissa who is seen by everyone as a boy named George, but who decides to reveal who she really is by playing the role of Charlotte in her class play, Charlotte’s Web. It won the American novelist, whose pronouns are they and them, literary prizes including the Children’s Stonewall award, the Lambda literary award, and a Children’s Choice book award.

But Gino said this summer that it had been a mistake to title the novel George, apologised to the character and to the wider trans community, and began changing the title to Melissa’s Story when signing books for fans.'

- The Guardian, November 2021

The unforgettable debut from Stonewall Award Winner Alex Gino.

Melissa joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content!

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.