Review by Booklist Review
This debut novel by medina follows middle-schooler Gabriela as they learn to find joy in being their authentic self. When Gabriela looks in the mirror, they feel as if they are seeing someone else, and as their body changes, it makes them more and more self-conscious and uncomfortable. As an adoptee to a white mother, Gabriela, who has a Honduran birth mother, feels as though they are stuck between two worlds, neither of which they feel like they belong in. They are also unsure of the fuzzy nervous feeling they can't seem to shake when they are near their classmate Maya. With the help of a new group of friends who are supportive, understanding, and accepting, Gabriela will start their journey of discovery and self-acceptance. The plot touches on various sensitive topics not often seen in middle-grade texts, such as transphobia, homophobia, and depression. An informative introduction to intersectional identities in an approachable first-person narrative, this title will connect with all types of readers who are on their own personal journey.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Music-loving Honduran American adoptee Gabriela Ricci, 12, isn't sure how to write about their "authentic self" for an essay assignment. They feel out of place in their adoptive white family and their own body, which was "growing in places I was increasingly becoming more and more uncomfortable about." But with supportive new friends--Indian- and Peruvian-American YouTuber Abbie, who is trans and intersex, and Guatemalan American Héctor, who is pansexual and gender-fluid--Gabriela discovers new words to describe themself, such as nonbinary and asexual. While establishing the confidence to express themself, Gabriela struggles with navigating their mother's depression, experiences homophobia and transphobia, and embarks on their first romantic relationship with their crush. Though the supporting cast's characterizations feel thin, and the motivations behind a developing friendship between a bully and their victim are unclear, Gabriela's powerhouse voice propels the narrative. Their friends and mother model unconditional support, and medina empathetically approaches difficult topics such as one person's experience living with a parent with a mental illness. This debut is a love letter to self-acceptance's power and a solid introduction to the notion of queer identity. Ages 8--14. Agent: Marietta B. Zacker, Gallt & Zacker. (May)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An uplifting narrative about the freedom and clarity labels can offer. Gabriela is a middle schooler on a journey of self-discovery. As a Honduran child adopted by a White mom, they have never felt completely comfortable with their body or their community. But things start to change when Abbie and Héctor enter their school. Abbie is an Indian and Peruvian American trans intersex girl, and Héctor is a Guatemalan American bisexual genderfluid person. Together, with understanding, patience, and lessons in Queer 101, they invite Gabriela to start exploring words that could fit them. Though Gabriela's crush on Maya is a sweet addition to the story, it's the friendship between Gabriela and their two new friends that makes the book shine. With their acceptance and love, Gabriela navigates middle school classes and turmoil, their mother's depression, and a world that isn't always welcoming to queer folks. With stellar adult characters, accessible prose, a diverse cast, and an uplifting narrative, the book tells a quick-moving story that can serve as a guide for adults to explore the LGBTQ+ lexicon with young people and help middle-grade readers discover, like Gabriela does, the power of understanding and identifying themselves. Gabriela and their friends offer queer kids a story with a happy ending. A sweet book that's sure to spread love and hopefulness. (resources) (Fiction. 9-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
