Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What does transgender mean? How have transgender people faced discrimination, and how are they fighting for their rights?

Teaching Suggestion: George (who reveals her real name, Melissa, later in the novel) knows she is a girl and faces repeated societal expectations that hurt her. Student understanding of transgender people will likely vary, and this is an opportunity to provide background information and empower and support any students in class who might be transgender. Both sources include visuals, which can be a powerful opportunity to analyze the details and overall message. The Time source incorporates additional links that could lead to a longer research project. Focusing on individuals like those photographed and Leah in the PBS interview makes this often-politicized topic personal.

• In “The Pain and Pride of a Generation Changing How America Sees Gender,” Time presents photographs and background knowledge of what transgender youth face at this moment in American history.
• This PBS source offers a 12-minute video and written transcript focusing on Leah, a young transgender girl, who faces her state’s anti-trans politics.