Author Study - Alex Gino by Alainee Coleman

Author Study - Alex Gino by Alainee Coleman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd A rationale and resources for studying the work of Alex Gino with middle grades students. en-us 2021-07-20 23:45:25 UTC 2025-07-10 12:48:32 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f308.png AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1656363665 2021-07-20 23:49:10 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1656363665 A Bit About Alex Gino AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657496538 2021-07-21 22:15:19 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657496538 Summary AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657500339 George was published in August 2015 by Scholastic, Inc. and reviewed 4 starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, Publisher's Weekly, and School Library Journal. It was the winner of the Lambda Literary Award, the Stonewall Award (American Library Association), and the Children's Choice Book Awards Debut Author. George is all about being who you are. The summary from Gino's website is below: "When people look at George, they see a boy. But George knows she’s a girl. George 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. George 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, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte – but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all. GEORGE is a candid, genuine, and heartwarming middle grade about a transgender girl who is, to use Charlotte’s word, R-A-D-I-A-N-T!"]]> 2021-07-21 22:23:32 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657500339 Excerpts Read by Alex Gino AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657505056 2021-07-21 22:33:07 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657505056 Interview with Alex Gino AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657506911 Alex talks about dead-naming Melissa in George and the need for diverse books and representation.]]> 2021-07-21 22:36:17 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657506911 Book Trailer AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657510232 2021-07-21 22:42:52 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657510232 Students Interview Alex Gino AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657512429 Alex discusses their reasoning behind writing George, why they wanted to become an author, the target audience for George, what it means to be genderqueer, how the book can work as a mirror and a window, how to respond to ignorance and hate, and more. ]]> 2021-07-21 22:46:58 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657512429 Preview AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657513590 2021-07-21 22:49:19 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657513590 Summary AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657513617 You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! was published in September 2018 by Scholastic, Inc. and received 3 star reviews from Kirkus, Publisher's Weekly, and School Library Journal. The summary from Gino's website is below:

"The way the world sees you changes how you see the world. Jilly thinks she’s figured out how life works. But when her sister Emma is born Deaf, she realizes how much she still has to learn. The world is going to treat Jilly, who is white and hearing, differently from Emma, just as it will treat them both differently from their Black cousins.

A big fantasy reader, Jilly makes a connection online with another fantasy fan, Derek, who is a Deaf Black ASL user. She goes to Derek for help with Emma but doesn’t always know the best way or time to ask for it. As she and Derek meet in person, have some really fun conversations, and become friends, Jilly makes some mistakes . . . but comes to understand that it’s up to her, not Derek, to figure out how to do better next time — especially when she wants to be there for Derek the most.

Within a world where kids like Derek and Emma aren’t assured the same freedom or safety as kids like Jilly, Jilly is starting to learn all the things she doesn’t know – and by doing that, she’s also working to discover how to support her family and her friends.

With You Don’t Know Everything, Jilly P!, award-winning author Alex Gino uses their trademark humor, heart, and humanity to show readers how being open to difference can make you a better person, and being open to change can make you change in the best possible ways."

]]> 2021-07-21 22:49:22 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657513617 Book Review AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657514525 2021-07-21 22:51:15 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657514525 Summary AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657514556 Rick was published in April 2020 by Scholastic, Inc. and received 4 star review from Booklist, Kirkus, Publisher's Weekly, and School Library Journal. The summary from Gino's website is below:

"The story of a kid named Rick who needs to explore his own identity apart from his jerk of a best friend.

Rick’s never questioned much. He’s gone along with his best friend Jeff even when Jeff’s acted like a bully and a jerk. He’s let his father joke with him about which hot girls he might want to date even though that kind of talk always makes him uncomfortable. And he hasn’t given his own identity much thought, because everyone else around him seemed to have figured it out.

But now Rick’s gotten to middle school, and new doors are opening. One of them leads to the school’s Rainbow Spectrum club, where kids of many genders and identities congregate, including Melissa, the girl who sits in front of Rick in class and seems to have her life together. Rick wants his own life to be that … understood. Even if it means breaking some old friendships and making some new ones.

As they did in their groundbreaking novel George, in Rick, award-winning author Alex Gino explores what it means to search for your own place in the world … and all the steps you and the people around you need to take in order to get where you need to be."

This book can be a useful tool to educate middle schools about the LGBTQ+ community, asexuality, nonbinary folks, and pronouns.

]]> 2021-07-21 22:51:18 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657514556 School Visits AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657523998 2021-07-21 23:08:11 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657523998 Excerpt AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657530908 2021-07-21 23:19:27 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657530908 Excerpt AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657531127 2021-07-21 23:19:47 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657531127 Excerpt AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657531605 2021-07-21 23:20:31 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657531605 Gino on the Importance of People Telling Their Own Stories AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657538701 2021-07-21 23:30:55 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1657538701 AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658591590 I first chose to read George because I heard about the awards it had won and was looking for more books with LGBTQ+ characters and topics to provide more mirrors and windows for my classroom library. BookPage wrote, “Readers going through a similar experience will feel that they are no longer alone, and cisgender readers may gain understanding and empathy.”

Then, I chose to read Rick because it contained a main character from George and involved the topics of bullying and LGBTQ+ issues.

Lastly, I read You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! because it is another one of Gino's books that contains diverse characters and experiences not traditionally seen in middle grades literature.]]> 2021-07-22 19:21:49 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658591590 AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658593288 Gino's books are modern, relevant, and relatable to young adults. They really put the "realistic" in "realistic fiction," and they contain themes and topics that matter to students in the middle grades, such as identity formation, bullying, being yourself, friendship, and social issues such as racism, homophobia, sexism, and ableism.]]> 2021-07-22 19:25:05 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658593288 The characters in these books experience or witness microaggressions. AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658594538 In George

George mentions how once people find out someone is transgender, a lot ask about “the surgery.” George saw an interview where the transgender woman said that what was between her legs was nobody’s business but hers and her boyfriend’s.
George's teacher says she could not cast her as Charlotte because: “...imagine how confused people would be.” Gino wanted to demonstrate that "other people" should not be the deciding factor in this situation. I’m sure the "people people" would figure it out. Teachers have the power to hurt or crush students with their words, which is something we must keep in mind as well.
More examples of microaggressions in George can be found in the intent vs. impact section below.

In Rick

Jeff makes many microaggressions in Rick. For example, he makes homophobic comments, such as, “A buncha gay kids are meeting up! Gross!” He called Kelly a “🤬" and asks his lunch table, “You guys are gonna go all gay on me too?” At one point, he also says maybe Mark’s aunt was too ugly to be straight and only women that wanted to be men knew aikido. Rick knew it didn’t work like that, but he didn't say anything.

In Jilly P

Profound was offended that Jilly told him her baby sister was deaf, but she didn’t understand why. She wrote, “Profound is probably tired of people thinking of him as the Deaf one. The only other things I really know about him are that he’s Black and he loves Vidalia but hates Orthor.” She makes a promise to learn more about him and realize that parts of one’s identity do not solely define a person.
Profound is sick of questions like, "What's it like being Deaf?"
Audiologist says they needed to get her baby sister checked for hearing aids to get her back on the “normal” track as quickly as possible. She says people with hearing loss need intervention to participate in the world. She talks about cochlear implant surgery and discourages Jilly from showing her sister sign language because it may “confuse her” and stunt her growth in using her mouth, tongue, and lips to communicate properly.
At Thanksgiving, her family makes many microaggressions, such as talking about her Black cousin’s hair and saying they couldn’t tell Black football players apart. Her grandma says ASL would be too hard to learn at her age and “don’t have her waving her hands around.” Her uncle tells a story about chasing off a bunch of- (he stops himself), and he calls Black people “thuggish." This gets Jilly wondering if some people in her family are racist, and she doesn't understand why her parents don't say anything in these situations. She begins to talk to her Aunt Alicia more, who is Black and left the dinner early because she was uncomfortable. Through this, Jilly learns why what her uncle and grandma said was wrong, how to properly intervene in situations such as this, how to be an ally, and how to have tough conversations that can lead to change.
Profound talks about how hearing people try to assimilate Deaf people into their culture. He says, “Oralism is back. As if hanging around hearing people is going to make me hearing or something. I mean, it’s not the same as it was. There aren’t asylums or anything anymore and Deaf people have always found a way to sign with each other but hearing people are still trying to make us like them.”
Gino also mentions the “I don’t see color” problem and how "Telling Black folk you don't see us as Black is kind of like saying you don’t want us to be Black. Like being Black is a bad thing or something... saying you forgot they’re Black is like saying you expect everyone to be white."
Derek’s Deaf friend was shot seven times in the back by police. She was unable to hear their directions for her to stop running. People said she should’ve been wearing her hearing aids, not that the cops shouldn’t have shot her. They blamed the victim.

]]> 2021-07-22 19:27:19 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658594538 Gino depicts young adults as capable and knowledgeable about themselves and their identities. AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658595145

These books show that adults sometimes dismiss kids and their ideas about their identity, saying they are "too young" to know certain things or that their sexuality/gender identity is a "phase" that they will grow out of. For example, when Rick comes out as asexual to his sister, she tells him he is too young to know that kind of stuff about himself. However, when he comes out to his grandfather, he says, "Of course I believe you. You are the person who knows yourself better than anyone else. There are lots of different ways of being. Lots of different kinds of people, and lots of different kinds of relationships.”

Gino portrays young adults as capable and caring about social issues in their books. For example, in Rick, the kids in the Rainbow Connection planned a whole event to raise money for LGBTQ+ books for their school's library.

]]> 2021-07-22 19:28:30 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658595145 These books also deal with the theme of belonging and not belonging, which is relevant to young adults. AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658595589 In George

In the dedication of George, Gino wrote, “To you, for when you felt different.”
“If George were there [in the magazines with the girls she saw as her friends], she would fit right in, giggling and linking her arms in theirs. She would wear a bright-pink bikini, and she would have long hair that her new friends would love to braid” (3).
In George, Melissa is constantly worrying about whether or not people see her as "weird," which is relatable to young adults.
In George, Kelly and the principal make Melissa feel like she belongs, whereas her teacher and Jeff make her feel as if she does not belong.
George's principal had a sign that said "support safe spaces for LGBT youth," which made her feel supported and valued. Here, Gino was demonstrating the power of having the support of a trusted adult on one's self-esteem growing up.
On the other hand, at first, George's mom does not understand the fact that she is trans. When she tells her mother that she is a girl, she dismisses the idea and even laughs, giving a "you'll grow out of it" sort of response rather than validating and respecting George's choices and identity.

In Rick

Jeff makes Rick feel as if he does not belong, with his microaggressions and homophobic comments.
On the other hand, Rick feels like he belongs when he is with his grandfather and the Rainbow Connection group. These support groups can be extremely powerful for students. For example, they can use them to talk about the problems they are dealing with at home, to protest local businesses that do not support LGBTQ+ rights, or to just have a space to be their authentic selves. What's powerful about the Rainbow Connection group is that the students had CHOICE in what the group would do, which empowered them and solidified their self worth.

In Jilly P

Jilly has friends online and in person. Her online group makes her feel as if she belongs because they all bond over their mutual interest in a book series. She also has a best friend that she goes to school with, though this friendship plays a different role than that of her online friends.

]]> 2021-07-22 19:29:06 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658595589 You should speak up for what's right, even if it's hard. AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658598695 In Rick

Throughout the book Rick struggles with being friends with Jeff, who is oftentimes rude to those who are different and even makes homophobic and sexist comments. However, by the end of the book, Rick realizes that it's important to speak up for what's right, even if it is hard. He stands up to Jeff and stops being his friend. He realizes that Jeff is a jerk, even if Jeff didn't do anything mean to Rick directly. How he treated other people mattered too. By talking with his grandfather, Rick learns that, with good friends, you can always be yourself.
Gino also shows young adults standing up for what's right. When Jeff calls Kelly a "🤬," two boys at his lunch table stand up for her and explain that they have gay family members and that he is being homophobic. When the class laughs about Plato possibly being gay, a student responds with, "There is nothing wrong with being gay." When the teacher says that is no talk for the classroom, she goes on to invite people to the Rainbow Connection after-school group to discuss LGBTQ+ issues.

In Jilly P

Jilly's parents, who are white, do not talk to Jilly about race. The book starts with them watching the news, and a story comes on about a black teen killed by the police. Rather than talking about it, her parents say the world is getting "scarier and scarier," and then they change the subject, rather than using this as an opportunity to talk with Jilly about race. Jilly instead talks to her Aunt Alicia, who is Black. She says, “Black parents in this country have to talk with their kids about being careful around the police. But until white parents can talk about what’s happening to Black kids too, nothing’s going to change… So keep talking and asking questions” (60).
Later in the book, at a family holiday meal, Jilly's uncle makes several microaggressions about black people. Rather than correcting him or leaving, Jilly's parents change the subject, not wanting the confrontation to continue. This upsets Jilly, who knows what he said was wrong and was upset that Aunt Alicia left and no one took her side.
However, by the end of the book, Jilly's parents learn more about the importance of having tough conversations in order for real change to take place. They can no longer use their Whiteness as a privilege or a shield allowing them to stay silent. Like Jilly's Aunt said, "Of course it’s uncomfortable. And sometimes we white people need to make ourselves uncomfortable in order to help Black people feel safe.”

]]> 2021-07-22 19:34:03 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658598695 Gender and Sexuality AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658600825 In George

George wants to wear makeup and even wears Chapstick all year because it is close to wearing lipstick. In this way, Gino combats the idea that makeup is for a certain gender.
In George, calling a boy a girl is often used as an insult. This can be used as a starting point for discussion with students about sexism, masculinity, and how society thinks boys should behave.

In Rick

Rick is asexual. In this way, Gino dismisses the idea that people must be attracted to others and shows the existence of diverse sexualities. Members of the Rainbow Connection identify as lesbian, transgender, bisexual, pansexual, and more.

]]> 2021-07-22 19:36:51 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658600825 The books deal with the idea of intent vs. impact. AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658602301 Gino discusses that sometimes, we say things that hurt people without intending to do so. All we have to do is learn from our mistakes and do better next time. The most important thing is to be respectful and willing to change.

In George

George cried over the end of Charlotte’s Web. Her teacher patted her shoulder and said, “It shows compassion as well as imagination… Don’t ever lost that, George, and I know you’ll turn into a fine young man.”
When boys tease George in class, “‘That ain’t no girl. That’s George.’ ‘Close enough,’” the teacher does not automatically intervene. When she does, she speaks to the boys about how they should be sensitive to the topic of death, rather than addressing the inappropriate comment they made about George’s gender.
Even George's best friend says things that are hurtful, though she didn't mean to. “If you want to be Charlotte, you should try out for Charlotte. You make such a big deal out of everything. Who cares if you’re not really a girl?” This is hurtful because she dismissed George's identity by saying she wasn't a "real girl." Later she says, “Ms. Udell will love that you care so much about the character that you want to play her onstage, even though she’s a girl and you’re a boy. Plays are all about pretending, right?” Again, this dismisses George's identity. In another chapter she says, “So you want to play a girl onstage. It’s not like you want to be a girl." Luckily, by the end of the book, Kelly starts to realize the microaggressions she is making and corrects herself when they happen. She says, “You were totally like a girl… I mean, you totally are a girl.”
George's mom says, "Whatever happens in your life, you can share it, and I will love you. You will always be my little boy, and that will never change. Even when you grow up to be an old man, I will still love you as my son.” Those words are extremely hurtful for George because her mom is not understanding that she is a GIRL. This dismisses her identity and makes her feel unseen and unworthy.

In Jilly P

When Jilly accidentally hurts her friend Profound's feelings, she thinks, “The hard thing about accidentally saying the wrong thing is that you don’t know it’s the wrong thing until you've already said it and hurt someone. And even if you didn’t mean it that way, you cant take it back.”
Aunt Alicia explains intent vs. impact after Thanksgiving dinner. “What Mike did was on purpose. What your Gram did wasn’t. It's like the difference between stepping on someone’s foot by mistake and kicking them. Only one is mean, but they both hurt. Sometimes you don’t have to be trying to hurt someone. You just have to say the wrong thing.”
They discuss how if you don’t know the right thing to say, do the best you can. If you make a mistake, it’s okay. The closer you are to a person, the more chances there are to mess up. But talk about it and it will happen differently the next time. Not doing anything is the problem because nothing can get better if nothing changes. “Progress brings some dark times, but it’s still better than not growing at all.”

]]> 2021-07-22 19:39:21 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658602301 Be yourself. AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658603114 In George

At first, George wishes she were “someone else-anyone else” (10). She feels like she has to hide who she is. By the end of the book, she finally feels alive. Gino wrote, "Charlotte was dead, but George was alive in a way she had never imagined.” This shows the power of being seen on someone's self-worth and confidence. Playing Charlotte was so important to George because “...if people could see her onstage as Charlotte, maybe they would see that she was a girl offstage too.”

In Rick

Through conversations with his grandfather, Rick learns that it feels good to be yourself. At first, he hides the fact that he joined the Rainbow Connection, but by the end of the book, he is open about being a member and even comes out as asexual.

In Jilly P

Profound was proud to be Deaf and Black.

]]> 2021-07-22 19:40:43 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658603114 Heteronormativity and Changing Our Language AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658604780 Gino gets us thinking about heteronormativity and the amount of times gender comes up in day to day conversations in the classroom, without us even realizing it.

This is seen multiple times in George, such as when the bathroom pass had the word “boy” on it, when the kids lined up by gender, when students played either “boy” or “girl” parts in the play, and when the teachers called the students Mr./Mrs. We need to think about how that makes kids feel and change our language to be more inclusive.
This is also seen in Rick. At the start of the book, Rick's dad talks about how Rick is about to go to middle school and whole new worlds are opening up to him. He says, “Girls…” but Rick's mom butts in and says, “Or boys.” In this case, Rick's mom is combatting heteronormativity, but she still doesn't realize the possibly that Rick is asexual, at that point.
Jilly P gets us thinking about racism as well as ableism and how we can be more inclusive with the way we do things such as applause, getting the attention of a group, and more.

]]> 2021-07-22 19:42:27 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658604780 Diverse Characters AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658608391 Gino's books contain diverse characters in terms of race, gender, class, and identity. For example, there are diverse families, including those with parents who are divorced and those that are still together, LGBTQ+ families, straight families, mixed-race families, etc. Kids talk about having two moms and there are teachers who are gay. Jilly's aunt is in an interracial, lesbian relationship, and her wife has kids from a previous marriage. Characters are also diverse in terms of ability. For example, Profound and Emma are Deaf.]]> 2021-07-22 19:48:13 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658608391 Be respectful and considerate of others. AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658609463 In George

Kelly realizes the impact of her language, and by the end of the book, she corrects her microaggressions.

In Rick

Gino uses the character of Mr. Sydney to show readers what to do if they make a mistake. After a debate during the Rainbow Connection meeting about the singular "they," he admits his error and says, "...it is more important to be respectful than to be right.”
At one point, someone says they are nonbinary and Mr. Sydney clarifies what that means but then asks if he has that correct. This shows that if you are not a member of a certain community, it is important to clarify and ensure that you are using the right language.

In Jilly P

Jilly learns that sometimes not everything is about her, and there are things in life that she does not yet understand. She realizes that she needs to put herself in others' shoes and think before she speaks.

]]> 2021-07-22 19:50:16 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658609463 Gino depicts young adults as resourceful. AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658610819 In all three books, the main characters use the Internet to find more about themselves and others. For example, in George, George began looking up things online about hormones and transitioning but was afraid of telling his mom. Kelly and George were also resourceful, coming up with a plan to switch parts so George could play Charlotte in the school play. In Rick, at first, Rick is unsure if he’s gay or not because he has never had a crush on a boy OR a girl. He feels very confused and looks to the Internet for answers too. In YDKEJP, Jilly uses the Internet to learn more about ASL and is part of an online community.]]> 2021-07-22 19:52:59 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658610819 Gino depicts young adults as understanding and empathetic in comparison to older generations. AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658615501 In George

George and Kelly talk about how transgender people don’t get certain rights. Both kids were able to agree that that was awful, without argument or a second thought. This shows that prejudice is taught, not inherent, and again, that children are more accepting than older generations.
On the other hand, George's mom takes a while to accept the fact that George is trans. At first, when she found the magazines George was looking at, she said, “George, I don’t want to find you wearing my clothes. Or my shoes. That kind of thing was cute when you were three. But you’re not three anymore. In fact, I don’t want to see you in my room at all.” Later, she said she was worried about George and how others would treat her. She said, “I just don’t want you to make your road any harder than it has to be.” George replies, “Trying to be a boy is really hard.”
George's brother accepts the news much easier than their mom does, with hardly any questions. Again, Gino demonstrates the younger generation as more understanding.

In Rick

Rick's grandfather levels the playing field for the older generation, in this sense. He is extremely supportive and open-minded. When Rick comes out as asexual, his grandpa does not question him. Instead, he is supportive and understanding.

]]> 2021-07-22 20:01:14 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658615501 Interview with Gino at the Back of George AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658928637 2021-07-23 02:17:38 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658928637 Interview with Alex Gino at the Back of Jilly P AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658994246 2021-07-23 03:11:07 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1658994246 Rationale AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1660745077 This book is definitely a window book for white, able-bodied people to see into the experiences of people who are Deaf and/or African-American. Through reading this book, I learned a lot about Deaf culture. For example, Profound explains that little-d deaf is about not being able to hear. Big-D Dead is about community and ASL (American Sign Language). There are other types of sign language as well, all around the world, just as there are different spoken languages. This type of knowledge broadens students' worldview and prepares them to work and live with the diverse people in society.]]> 2021-07-26 04:42:10 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1660745077 Gino depicts young adults as determined. AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1660746949 In Jilly P, when Jilly finds out her sister Emma may be Deaf, she immediately begins to learn ASL. She makes a goal to learn one sign a day and refuses to waste time being in denial. Again, Gino writes his characters as capable, using the Internet as a tool to learn more about others. In George, Melissa was determined to play Charlotte in the play. In Rick, Rick was determined to stop Jeff from burning the Rainbow Connection flyers at the end of the book.]]> 2021-07-26 04:44:23 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1660746949 Interview with Alex Gino AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1660761987 In this interview, Gino explains why they like writing for the middle grades and how they focused on accurately representing characters outside of their own identity.]]> 2021-07-26 05:01:58 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1660761987 Discussion Guide for George and Jilly P AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1661369009 2021-07-26 20:17:42 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1661369009 Discussion Guide for George AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1661369426 2021-07-26 20:18:45 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1661369426 Vocabulary Resource AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1661369933 2021-07-26 20:19:49 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1661369933 Vocabulary Resource AlaineeColeman https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1661370729 2021-07-26 20:21:14 UTC https://padlet.com/AlaineeColeman/ivi8anrbtpr81dxd/wish/1661370729