"The word man hit like a pile of rocks falling on George's skull. It was a hundred times worse than boy, and she couldn't breathe. She bit her lip fiercely and felt fresh tears pounding against her eyes. She put her head down on her desk and wished she were invisible" 
 'George' is the story of a transgender girl who dreams of being cast as Charlotte in her primary school's stage production of Charlotte's Web. However, because she was designated male at birth, her teacher won't even allow her to audition for the part. Told through the use of third person narration, with the main character referred to only with female pronouns and identifying in privet as Melissa, it becomes clear that this is not a story about a boy who wants to be a girl, but rather a girl living in a world that incorrectly views her as a boy. A vital distinction that is used to powerfully illustrate the frustration and loneliness that can accompany a person with gender dysphoria and the ways that even the most well-intentioned people in their lives can cause harm. 
 This book deals with such an important subject and provides much needed visibility and agency for the transgender community. While in some ways it is a fairly short and simple story, and is technically targeted towards a middlegrade readership, there is something so quietly touching yet emotionally honest about this book that everyone, regardless of gender or age, should be able to embrace. At its core, the message in this book is humble; it is about self-expression and acceptance, about being who you are. This is a story about a girl who wants, more than anything, for the world to understand who she is and finds art to be the medium that enables her to express herself. While it is at times sad and there are some painful moments, be that school yard bullying or well-meaning ignorance, this is ultimately such an uplifting and heart-warming story. Melissa is such a genuine character, it is impossible not to empathise with her story. There are also some absolutely beautiful examples of positive relationships in this book, most notably between Melissa and her best friend Kelly, who are honestly so utterly adorable together I couldn't help but love their friendship. 
 This book does a good job of subtly educating readers about gender identity and what it means to be transgender, and is a good starting point for those looking to understand, empathise and ultimately ally with the transgender community. However, it is perhaps most important because of what it means for young transgender kids who need to see themselves represented sensitively and authentically in a way that has largely been missing in mainstream media, and is written by an author who actually understands their challenges and experience. This is, after all, a book that should first and foremost be for those children. 
 I cannot recommend this book more highly. Absolutely beautiful and brimming with emotion.