George

Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Chapters 1-4

Reading Check

1. Where did George get her “secret” magazines?

2. What causes George to cry in class?

3. What does George feel is the “worst room in the school”? (Chapter 2)

4. Who is George’s best friend?

5. Which character in the school play does George want to be?

6. With whom does George rehearse for the play audition?

7. At dinner, what stops George from telling her mom she is a girl?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why are the “secret” magazines important to George?

2. What are some messages George gets from society that have hurt her?

Paired Resource

“Transgender Children & Youth: Understanding the Basics”

• This article from the Human Rights Campaign provides information on how to best support transgender and nonbinary children and the reasons that support is critical.
• Theme connections include Natural Versus Normal and Coming Out in an Ambivalent World.
• How do George’s mom and brother use gender stereotypes, and what is the effect on George?

Chapters 5-8

Reading Check

1. Who is Scott?

2. What part does Mrs. Udell offer George?

3. Whom does George first tell that she is a girl?

4. What happens to George’s magazines?

5. How do George and Scott bond?

6. What does Jeff do to George?

7. Where does George see a poster that says “Support Safe Spaces for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth?” (Chapter 8)

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does George lie to her mom about the audition?

2. How does Kelly react to George’s revelation that she is a girl?

Paired Resource

“Macho Man, Little Princess: How Gender Norms Can Harm Kids Everywhere” 

• This NPR article explores the gender stereotypes perpetuated in many countries, including the United States, and how these expectations harm children.
• Theme connections include Secrecy and Shame and Natural Versus Normal.
• How are gender stereotypes harming George and other characters?

“The Scientific Underpinnings and Impacts of Shame”

• This article from Scientific American discusses the effects of shame and the difference between shame and guilt.
• The article connects to the themes of Secrecy and Shame and Natural Versus Normal.
• What causes George to feel shame, and how does it affect her?

“Canada Passes Bill C-16 to Give Transgender People Equal Rights”

• This brief article from Teaching Kids News presents some background knowledge and highlights a bill for equality passed in Canada.
• Theme connections include Natural Versus Normal and Coming Out in an Ambivalent World.
• How might this law affect the casting in the school play of Charlotte’s Web?

Chapters 9-12

Reading Check

1. Where does Mom take George and Scott as a distraction when she cannot accept George’s truth?

2. When Scott asks if George will have gender affirmation surgery, how does George reply?

3. Who plays Charlotte in the second performance?

4. What is George’s “private name”?

5. Besides talking with George and suggesting they both go to therapy, how does George’s mom indicate she accepts her?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What makes George feel like her mom does not see her?

2. How does Principal Maldonado support George?

3. How does the trip to the zoo liberate Melissa?

Paired Resource

““Meet an Activist”

• Time for Kids presents Rebekah Bruesehoff, a young transgender activist, and explains how she is changing the world.
• This article connects to the themes of Natural Versus Normal and Coming Out in an Ambivalent World.
• How is Melissa courageously changing the world?

Recommended Next Reads 

Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker

• After Zenobia moves in with her aunts, she can finally live openly as a girl. When her school faces a hate crime, she puts her computer skills to work to uncover who is responsible.
• Shared themes include Secrecy and Shame, Natural Versus Normal, and Coming Out in an Ambivalent World.
• Shared topics include growing up, LGBTQIA experiences, gender stereotypes, family, identity, school, bullies, discrimination, and self-acceptance.

The Best at It by Maulik Pancholy

• Rahul discovers the power in accepting himself as he grows up gay with obsessive-compulsive disorder in a small Midwest town.
• Shared themes include Secrecy and Shame, Natural Versus Normal, and Coming Out in an Ambivalent World.
• Shared topics include growing up, LGBTQIA experiences, gender stereotypes, family, identity, school, bullies, discrimination, and self-acceptance.