Parents' Guide to

Melissa

By Kate Pavao, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Fourth grader identifies as a girl in tender tale.

Book Alex Gino Coming of Age 2015
Melissa Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

See all
age 10+

Based on 21 parent reviews

Adamvsid
Adamvsid Adult
October 21, 2019
age 9+

Beautiful

My daughter may end up being transgender. A lot of the signs are there. She’s 9 years old and in the same grade as the main character, George/Melissa. She brought this book home from school this week. I’m sure someone from the school staff gave it to her. Initially, I was shocked and a little frightened that she was reading this book so I decided to read it too. I’m not sure that she understood everything she read. All the parts that other reviewers said were inappropriate for a 9 year old probably went over her head but I’m sure she got the gist of it. She probably gets that some people are born the wrong gender and they can change into the one they were meant to be, especially if the people around them support them. I’m glad she knows that now. As for me, I was rooting for the kid in the story to be able to be who she was inside the whole time. I thought it was beautiful when she was free to be herself. If it’s right for a character in a book, it’s right for my kid. It’s seems more complicated than that but maybe it’s not. George helped me to understand that I’ve got to support my kid no matter what.
Prattylessfatty
Prattylessfatty Parent of 6 and 13-year-old
February 13, 2019
age 13+

I work with 4th graders. This book is NOT for 4th graders

The poorly-written characters in this book act like pre-teen/teenagers. Teaching how to clear internet history. Talk of pornographic magazines. Discussions of feelings of sexuality. Confusing (and inaccurate) medical explanations. These kids are reading books about babysitting and building forts . Why on Earth would an author think these subjects are appropriate for that age group? Regardless of your beliefs on the main subject - I advise parents to read this book first .
See all 21 parent reviews

What's the Story?

MELISSA is about a transgender fourth grader. She may have been named George at birth in a boy's body, but she knows she's really a girl. For example, when her class stages Charlotte's Web, she wants to audition for Charlotte, not a boy's part. She gets teased by boys in class ("You're such a freak. You're a freak. Freak. Freak"), but finds amazing support in her best friend, Kelly, and in her older brother. But what will her mother say when she gets the courage to tell her she's a girl named Melissa?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (21 ):
Kids say (39 ):

Alex Gino's simply and tenderly written story will help kids -- and parents -- understand what it feels like to be transgender. Melissa hates the body she was born with, gets teased at school, and worries her mother won't accept her if she learns her big secret. Readers will quickly understand that the fourth grader called George is really a girl and cheer her growing ability to live as herself.

There's not a lot of new territory covered here, but there are some simple and lovely moments, such as when Melissa's older brother says, "Weird. But it makes sense," when he hears her secret, or when her supportive friend Kelly helps her pick an outfit so that she can spend a day as Melissa.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it means to be transgender, as portrayed in Melissa. What would it feel like to be born into the wrong physical body?

  • Is it getting easier for kids today to let their true selves shine through?

  • Melissa gets bullied and even gets into a physical fight. What would you do if you saw one of your classmates being picked on?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended book lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate