Alex Gino's Website

The Change In Title

One of Many Banned Books

Alex Gino Speaks Out

Transgender Children & Youth

• Activism: When people actively work to bring about social, political, or environmental change. This can involve things like protests, campaigns, or speaking out to raise awareness for specific causes or beliefs.

• Transgender: Someone whose gender identity doesn't match the sex they were assigned at birth. 

• Pronouns: Words that we use instead of repeating nouns. They help us talk about people or things without having to say their names over and over again. Examples of pronouns include words like "he," "she," and "they."

• Acceptance: When one feels welcome and included by others, especially with those who are different from you. It means treating everyone with kindness and respect, no matter their background, beliefs, or appearance. 

• Inspiration: When you see or hear something that makes you feel excited or motivated to do something awesome and/or exciting. 

Before Reading:

Before reading a book that involves aspects of LGBTQ+ to elementary students, teachers should take several important steps to create a supportive and inclusive environment. It's essential for teachers to set clear expectations for respectful and open-minded discussion, emphasizing the importance of kindness and acceptance. Additionally, teachers should be proactive in creating a safe space for students to ask questions and express their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. This might involve reinforcing classroom rules against bullying and discrimination, and reaffirming the value of diversity and inclusion. Teachers should be sensitive to any individuals' needs and backgrounds, recognizing that discussions about LGBTQ+ topics may evoke different reactions and emotions from different children. Above under the Resources section are a few that could be used to build schema and preparation for this novel or you may use the others below:

• National Center for Transgender Equality 

• Child Mind Institute

• Transgender Basics - Gender Identity Project (video)

During Reading:

Coding the text is an excellent strategy to get students actively engaged with the text that they are reading. Its purpose is to encourage students to make connections while reading.  Teachers should use a think aloud (verbalizing your thoughts as you read) as an example so students can visually see the process of when a connection is made. Types of connections that teachers use include text-self, text-text, and text-world. Encourage students to use sticky notes to record their ideas!

After Reading: 

An enjoyable and interactive way for students to comprehend a book they have read are snowball summaries! Rather than one person summarizing the entire book, each participant contributes a summary of the book (could be done during reading, after each chapter). 

Design a Book Jacket

A book jacket is the first thing readers see, and it plays a crucial role in enticing them to pick up the book and dive into its story. From selecting compelling imagery to choosing fonts and colors that evoke the book's tone, designing a book jacket is a blend of artistry and marketing savvy. Unleash your imagination, experiment with design elements, and bring your favorite book to life in a whole new way!