Kids publisher Scholastic launches massive promo of ‘trans’ book for grade 3s
NEW YORK CITY– The world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books is heavily
promoting a pro-transgender book designed for students as young as third grade.
The Scholastic Corporation has sent school teachers and
librarians 10,000 copies of the book, entitled George,
which was written by self-described "queer activist" Alex Gino.
In the children's book, Gino tells a story of a 10-year-old boy who doesn't feel
like a boy, so he tells people he's really "Melissa."
Scholastic's website says the target audience for the
transgender book is elementary children from 3rd to 7th grade.
Gino creates a sympathetic conflict to draw the young reader in
by telling of a class play on Charlotte's Web. The book
reads, "George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the
teacher says she [meaning George] can't even try out for the part...because she
[George] is a boy."
NPR, in an interview with Scholastic editorial director David
Levithan, who is also a gay activist, explained the reason Scholastic sent out
thousands of copies is to "prove that a book about a transgender
10-year-old could appeal to a mass market."
Scholastic was able to make the book The
Hunger Games a
massive success by using the same promotional strategy of sending out thousands
of copies.Scholastic also took Gino to major book fairs to promote the
transgender message. "My hope is that it be in every library in the
country, that kids be able to get their hands on it," Gino told Kirkus
Reviews.
Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council says the book will
confuse impressionable children. "It's challenging enough for normal
children to navigate and come to terms with their gender, identity, what it
means to be male or female," he said, according to CBN. "Things like
this are only going to create greater confusion, add greater confusion to the
struggles that in the ordinary course of things most children will have."
Sprigg criticized Scholastic's promotion, telling CBN that
pro-transgender books are not compassionate toward struggling children. He said
children with gender issues who read such books may be affirmed in their
confusion and avoid receiving helpful treatment.
"It may plant ideas in the minds of those who are
struggling," Sprigg said. "Research shows ... that most children who
struggle with gender identity issues actually have those issues resolved before
adulthood, and do not change their gender identity from their biological sex at
birth," he explained.
Richard Robinson has been president of Scholastic since 1974,
chief executive officer since 1975, and chairman of the board since 1982. His
father, M.R. Robinson, founded Scholastic in Pittsburgh in 1920.
