“Fierce. Tender. Unstoppable.” - Lauren Myracle, New York Times bestselling author of The Infinite Moment of Us and co-author of How to Be Bad
“Original. Courageous. Vibrant.” - Michael Cart, Columnist at ALA Booklist and Former President of Young Adult Library Services Michael Cart, Editor of Taking Aim and How Beautiful the Ordinary
“Heartfelt. Refreshing. True.” - Ariel Schrag, author of Potential and Adam
“Raw. Real. Irresistable.” - I.W. Gregorio, author of None of the Above
“I loved it. A brilliant new writer to watch.” - Malinda Lo, author of Ash, Adaptation, and Inheritance and co-founder of Diversity in YA
“Respeito for Pen.” - Sara Ryan, Award winning author of Empress of the World and Bad Houses
“This is a fresh title in the growing sea of LGBTQ YA literature. There is no sugarcoating in this very real portrayal of an aspect of teen life that many experience. Recommended for fans of YA urban fiction as well as those who prefer grittier LGBTQ lit.” - School Library Journal (starred review)
“A powerful book about identity, belonging, and the collision between sexuality and cultural expectations.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Girard explores questions of family, friendship, loyalty, and identity through the voice of Pen Oliveira, a 16-year old girl ... [She] forcefully conveys the fear Pen lives with, having experienced frequent mockery and bullying, and her courage in aspiring to a safe, loving community for herself and her friends.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“GIRL MANS UP is mind blowing. I picked it up to see if I would like it, and thirty unintentional pages later I could barely put it down. Pen has stolen my heart always. Her voice is so honest and raw that it is enrapturing. It is such an incredible look at gender, race, and sexuality that I hope it becomes an instant classic.” - Grace Wright, Parnassus Books (Nashville, TN) Grace Wright, Parnassus Books (Nashville, TN) Grace Wright, Parnassus Books (Nashville, TN)