Alex Gino

Alex Gino is an American children's book author known particularly for writing inclusive stories featuring LGBTQ+ characters and themes. Their debut novel "George" (later retitled "Melissa") was published in 2015 and won multiple awards including the Children's Stonewall Award and Lambda Literary Award. Gino describes themselves as genderqueer and uses singular they pronouns. Their work focuses on creating representation for transgender and nonbinary youth in middle-grade literature, addressing topics like gender identity, self-discovery, and acceptance. The author has published several other notable works including "Rick," "You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P!" and "Alice Austen Lived Here." These books continue Gino's commitment to writing stories that feature diverse characters and explore themes of identity, friendship, and community. Gino is also known for their advocacy work in children's literature, speaking about the importance of authentic representation in books for young readers. They frequently participate in panels and discussions about diversity in publishing and LGBTQ+ literature for youth.

Readers value Gino's contributions to LGBTQ+ representation in middle-grade literature. Parents and educators praise their ability to address complex identity topics in age-appropriate ways. What readers liked: - Clear, accessible writing style for young audiences - Authentic portrayal of transgender and nonbinary experiences - Relatable characters that help children feel seen - Integration of family dynamics and friendship themes What readers disliked: - Some found the narratives too message-focused - Conservative readers object to LGBTQ+ themes for young audiences - A few reviewers noted simple plot structures Ratings across platforms: - Melissa (formerly George): 4.1/5 on Goodreads (50,000+ ratings), 4.7/5 on Amazon - Rick: 4.2/5 on Goodreads (4,000+ ratings) - You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P!: 4.0/5 on Goodreads (2,000+ ratings) Reader quote: "My transgender child finally saw themselves in a book" - Amazon reviewer Critical quote: "Important message but storyline feels secondary" - Goodreads reviewer

Melissa (originally published as "George") A fourth-grade student who knows she's a girl despite being seen as a boy by the world works to reveal her true self while pursuing her dream of playing Charlotte in the school's production of Charlotte's Web.

Rick A middle school student questions his asexual identity while navigating new friendships and his relationship with his best friend, ultimately finding community in his school's Rainbow Spectrum club.

You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! A white Deaf/hearing girl learns about privilege, racism, and her own biases while supporting her Deaf sister and developing a friendship with a Black Deaf boy online.

Alice Austen Lived Here Two nonbinary eighth graders research the life of photographer Alice Austen for a local history contest while exploring questions about historical LGBTQ+ representation and community.

Lisa Bunker writes middle-grade fiction centered on transgender and nonbinary characters navigating school and family relationships. Their books "Felix Yz" and "Zenobia July" feature protagonists dealing with identity while facing everyday challenges.

Kyle Lukoff creates children's books about trans youth finding their place in the world and standing up for who they are. His work includes "Too Bright to See" and "Different Kinds of Fruit," which explore gender identity through relatable characters in realistic settings.

Kacen Callender writes stories featuring LGBTQ+ characters discovering themselves while dealing with family dynamics and school life. Their books "Hurricane Child" and "King and the Dragonflies" combine identity themes with compelling plots about friendship and belonging.

Ashley Herring Blake creates middle-grade fiction focusing on queer youth discovering their identities while navigating relationships and personal growth. Their books "Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World" and "The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James" present authentic LGBTQ+ experiences in accessible ways.

A.J. Sass writes stories featuring transgender and nonbinary characters in middle-grade settings dealing with identity and acceptance. Their books "Ana on the Edge" and "Ellen Outside the Lines" explore gender identity through characters participating in everyday activities like figure skating and school trips.