Wolfpack Reads: NCSU Student Perspectives on Children's Literature: Discussing Sexuality in the Classroom

“George stopped. It was such a short, little question, but she couldn't make her mouth form the sounds. Mom, what if I'm a girl?”

― Alex Gino, George

Our students are growing up in the most diverse country that we have ever seen. We have student from different religions, socio-economic status, and of different races all in the same classroom. We also have students that have seen things we cannot even imagine and are bring raised in rough neighborhoods or even foster homes. Literature is a way we can present these intense themes to our students without them feeling overwhelmed or nervous. It allows them to see what others go through and how tough situations can be handled.

I chose to read George by Alex Gino for my “Windows book”. George is about a young girl trapped in the body of a boy. She goes through a difficult journey that includes her struggle with sexuality, bullying, and self-acceptance. George is just one book that can start a complex conversation on tough issues like sexuality. You could focus on several other major themes in the book too. Such as bullying, friendship, and diversity.

I read My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer by Jennifer Gennari when I was in undergrad. This book focuses on a totally different issue the LGBTQ community faces. June Farrell is a typical 12 year-old girl from a small town except for one thing; her mother is a lesbian. When June’s mother and girlfriend decide to get married under a civil union law the people in June’s town do not react well. She and her family are bullied and exiled. This book would be a great follow up to any class discussion on what LGBTQ families face.

Common Core Standards:

SIXTH GRADE:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.2

Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.3

Describe how a particular story's or drama's plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.