Beyond the Book:
Simon James Green & Charlie Craggs
By: Alli Hannan
What happens when you see youself in the stories you read - or in the people around you?
Simon James Green
Simon James Green is a British author known for "Noah Can't Even" and "Heartbreak Boys." His stories blend humor and heart to show that identity and acceptance matter for everyone. Through his books, students see that representation in literature helps build understanding and justice.
Meet Charlie Craggs
""It's hard to hate someone whose nails you're painting." - Charlie Craggs
Charlie Craggs is a trans activist from the UK and founder of "Nail Transphobia," a campaign where she offers free manicures to start conversations about gender and kindness. She uses everyday interactions to challenge prejudice and increase visibility for the transgender community. Like Green, Craggs turns her voice into a tool for change.
Representation in Action
How to be A LGBTQ+ Ally
Charlie Craggs Speaks Out
An interview with Charlie Craggs
LGBTQ+ Activists in the UK
Charlie Craggs + the ups and down of social media activism
Charlie Craggs is #40 on "The Rainbow List"
History of equality for LGBTQ+ relationships in the UK
Key historical figures in UK LGBTQ+ activism
Both Green and Craggs show that representation is powerful. Green uses fiction to highlight LGBTQ+ teens and their experiences, while Craggs uses activism to make those experiences visible in real life. Together, they remind us that visibility leads to understanding and social change.
Think About It
Simon and Charlie both stand up for voices that are often ignored. Simon's books let us hear those voices in stories, and Charlie's activism brings them to life.
Think about these questions:
- How do Simon and Charlie help people feel seen and accepted?
- Why is it important to read books with different types of characters?
- What can you do in your classroom or schoool to make others feel welcome?
- How can stories or small actions help stop bullying or unfair treatment?
Explore and Learn!
Simon James Green and Charlie Craggs both use their voices to make a difference. Simon does it through stories that help readers understand others, and Charlie does it through real conversations that build respect. Learning about them helps us see that change can start with one person choosing to speak up.
“Now is your chance, the chance you’ve spent all these years dreaming of. Love yourself. I know that’s been hard to do for so long, but it’s okay, you can do it.”
― Charlie Craggs
“Being human means being flawed, imperfect, messy. But you can't beat yourself up for that. And I don't think you can beat other people up for it either.”
― Simon James Green
Making a Difference in Our Classroom
We can use what we learned from Simon and Charlie in our own classroom. Together, we can think of ways to make everyone feel included and valued. Our class could write kind messages, make a simple poster, or share one idea for creating a more welcoming school.
Reflection
While creating this project, I learned that stories and activism work together to help people feel seen and heard. Simon James Green's books and Charlie Cragg's activism both show that representation can build confidence and acceptance. This project helped me understand that everyone's story matters and that small actions can make a big difference. As a future teacher, I will choose books and lessons that include every student and help them see the value in their own voice.
"Representation isn't just being seen - it's being understood."
Sources
Referencescharile craggs - Search Videos. (2025). Bing.com. https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=charile+craggs&mid=3C0D3900817D62705A2C3C0D3900817D62705A2C&mmscn=stvo&FORM=VIRECraggs, C. (n.d.). Charlie Craggs: The ups and downs of social media activism. National Museums Liverpool. https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/stories/charlie-craggs-ups-and-downs-of-social-media-activismKowalska, M. (2025). Interview with Charlie Craggs. Blogspot.com. https://theheroines.blogspot.com/2025/03/interview-with-charlie-craggs.htmllgbtq inclusion in UK schools video - Search Videos. (2025). Bing.com. https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?&q=lgbtq%2b+inclusion+in+UK+schools+video&&mid=FFC6928BC12D921D2B62FFC6928BC12D921D2B62&&FORM=VRDGARMadden, E. (2019, June 18). 7 LGBTQ Activists From The UK Who’ll Give You All The Inspiration You Need To Make Change. Bustle. https://www.bustle.com/p/7-lgbtq-activists-from-the-uk-wholl-give-you-all-the-inspiration-you-need-to-make-change-17904553Morrison, S. (2015, November 17). Rainbow List 2015: 1 to 101 | The Independent. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/therainbowlist/rainbow-list-2015-1-to-101-a6731391.htmlO’Connor, L. (2025, February 24). Historical UK Activists for LGBT+ History Month. The Recovery College. https://www.therecoverycollege.co.uk/what-s-on/our-blog/historical-figures-lgbt-history-monthSimon James Green Quotes (Author of Noah Can’t Even). (2025). Goodreads.com. https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/16341016.Simon_James_GreenWelcome To Zscaler Directory Authentication. (2025). Bing.com. https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=LGBTQ%2b+activism+in+the+UK+credible+articles&mid=E79B83ABB69F5D5517C8E79B83ABB69F5D5517C8&FORM=VIREWhitfield, Z. (2015, September 25). Meet The Woman Using Nail Art To Tackle Transphobia. Grazia. https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/real-life/meet-woman-using-nail-art-tackle-transphobia/
Beyond the Book:
Hannan, Alli M
Created on October 13, 2025
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Transcript
Beyond the Book:
Simon James Green & Charlie Craggs
By: Alli Hannan
What happens when you see youself in the stories you read - or in the people around you?
Simon James Green
Simon James Green is a British author known for "Noah Can't Even" and "Heartbreak Boys." His stories blend humor and heart to show that identity and acceptance matter for everyone. Through his books, students see that representation in literature helps build understanding and justice.
Meet Charlie Craggs
""It's hard to hate someone whose nails you're painting." - Charlie Craggs
Charlie Craggs is a trans activist from the UK and founder of "Nail Transphobia," a campaign where she offers free manicures to start conversations about gender and kindness. She uses everyday interactions to challenge prejudice and increase visibility for the transgender community. Like Green, Craggs turns her voice into a tool for change.
Representation in Action
How to be A LGBTQ+ Ally
Charlie Craggs Speaks Out
An interview with Charlie Craggs
LGBTQ+ Activists in the UK
Charlie Craggs + the ups and down of social media activism
Charlie Craggs is #40 on "The Rainbow List"
History of equality for LGBTQ+ relationships in the UK
Key historical figures in UK LGBTQ+ activism
Both Green and Craggs show that representation is powerful. Green uses fiction to highlight LGBTQ+ teens and their experiences, while Craggs uses activism to make those experiences visible in real life. Together, they remind us that visibility leads to understanding and social change.
Think About It
Simon and Charlie both stand up for voices that are often ignored. Simon's books let us hear those voices in stories, and Charlie's activism brings them to life.
Think about these questions:
Explore and Learn!
Simon James Green and Charlie Craggs both use their voices to make a difference. Simon does it through stories that help readers understand others, and Charlie does it through real conversations that build respect. Learning about them helps us see that change can start with one person choosing to speak up.
“Now is your chance, the chance you’ve spent all these years dreaming of. Love yourself. I know that’s been hard to do for so long, but it’s okay, you can do it.” ― Charlie Craggs
“Being human means being flawed, imperfect, messy. But you can't beat yourself up for that. And I don't think you can beat other people up for it either.” ― Simon James Green
Making a Difference in Our Classroom
We can use what we learned from Simon and Charlie in our own classroom. Together, we can think of ways to make everyone feel included and valued. Our class could write kind messages, make a simple poster, or share one idea for creating a more welcoming school.
Reflection
While creating this project, I learned that stories and activism work together to help people feel seen and heard. Simon James Green's books and Charlie Cragg's activism both show that representation can build confidence and acceptance. This project helped me understand that everyone's story matters and that small actions can make a big difference. As a future teacher, I will choose books and lessons that include every student and help them see the value in their own voice.
"Representation isn't just being seen - it's being understood."
Sources
Referencescharile craggs - Search Videos. (2025). Bing.com. https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=charile+craggs&mid=3C0D3900817D62705A2C3C0D3900817D62705A2C&mmscn=stvo&FORM=VIRECraggs, C. (n.d.). Charlie Craggs: The ups and downs of social media activism. National Museums Liverpool. https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/stories/charlie-craggs-ups-and-downs-of-social-media-activismKowalska, M. (2025). Interview with Charlie Craggs. Blogspot.com. https://theheroines.blogspot.com/2025/03/interview-with-charlie-craggs.htmllgbtq inclusion in UK schools video - Search Videos. (2025). Bing.com. https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?&q=lgbtq%2b+inclusion+in+UK+schools+video&&mid=FFC6928BC12D921D2B62FFC6928BC12D921D2B62&&FORM=VRDGARMadden, E. (2019, June 18). 7 LGBTQ Activists From The UK Who’ll Give You All The Inspiration You Need To Make Change. Bustle. https://www.bustle.com/p/7-lgbtq-activists-from-the-uk-wholl-give-you-all-the-inspiration-you-need-to-make-change-17904553Morrison, S. (2015, November 17). Rainbow List 2015: 1 to 101 | The Independent. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/therainbowlist/rainbow-list-2015-1-to-101-a6731391.htmlO’Connor, L. (2025, February 24). Historical UK Activists for LGBT+ History Month. The Recovery College. https://www.therecoverycollege.co.uk/what-s-on/our-blog/historical-figures-lgbt-history-monthSimon James Green Quotes (Author of Noah Can’t Even). (2025). Goodreads.com. https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/16341016.Simon_James_GreenWelcome To Zscaler Directory Authentication. (2025). Bing.com. https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=LGBTQ%2b+activism+in+the+UK+credible+articles&mid=E79B83ABB69F5D5517C8E79B83ABB69F5D5517C8&FORM=VIREWhitfield, Z. (2015, September 25). Meet The Woman Using Nail Art To Tackle Transphobia. Grazia. https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/real-life/meet-woman-using-nail-art-tackle-transphobia/