What we call people matters and we all deserve to be referred to in ways that feel good to us. No matter how many people have come to know it as George, we felt it was important to fix the title. It was published as George in 2015, but that’s a name the main character does not like or want to use for herself. I’m delighted to share that Scholastic and I are officially changing the title of my first book to Melissa, with a new cover available in spring 2022. For readers who prefer other options, you can recover your book, hardcover or paperback, or download a sticker, at Gino's Scholastic author page. I'm sorry.' Sharing the many factors that influenced the original title choice, Gino goes on to tell readers that they officially have Gino's permission to correct their copies of the book. My main character's name is Melissa, and I apologize to her, to the larger trans community, and to all of my readers for the error. George, the title of the book) instead of her actual name. I used a name for my main character that she doesn't like for herself (i.e. In July of 2021, Gino shared a post on their blog, writing, 'I made a mistake when I named my first published middle grade novel. Now, almost seven years later, Gino and their book prove groundbreaking again as the author and publisher officially change the title.

A groundbreaking novel about a transgender child, the book went on to win the 2016 Stonewall Book Award in the newly created Children's category. In September of 2015, I reviewed Gino's debut book.

Melissa by alex gino