I'm not crying, you're crying.

Melissa is a marvelous piece of middle-grade literature that conveys the confusion, frustration and loneliness of questioning your gender identity. The language is simplistic, as befitting its intended audience, but in its simplicity it is incredibly poignant. I was already on the verge of tears at the end of the first chapter, where Melissa secretly reads magazines aimed at preteen girls, terrified of getting caught. Alex Gino really did "dig deep and use some feeling words," as Melissa's teacher Ms. Udell would say.

I felt so angry for her every time her mom would say the wrong thing ("Whatever it is, you can tell me. You will always be my little boy and that will never change.") or flat out denies what she's trying, desperately and fearfully, to convey ("You're only ten years old. You don't know how you'll feel in a few years.") Meanwhile, her teenage older brother also discovered The Secret and his reaction is really, really amazing to read.

When Melissa's best friend Kelly schemes to let Melissa take over one of her performances of Charlotte for the school play, Melissa's mom eventually sees her as she wants to be seen: as her daughter, Melissa. It's a tiny bit more encouraging than real life might have been, but it's not necessary for every LGBTQIA+ piece of fiction to be a depressing story of setback after setback. I rooted for Melissa the whole book and I hope, as she ages in her fictional world, she is given the freedom to be who she is.

Edit: I read this book when it was originally titled George and applaud the title change to remove Melissa's birth name, as it was not one she ever wanted to be known as. Unsure if the updated title came with interior edits too - keeping the quote material as I originally read it.