The One Who Loves you the Most

by medina

I have never felt like I belonged to my body. Never in the way rhythm belongs to a song or waves belong to an ocean.
It seems like most people figure out where they belong by knowing where they came from. When they look in the mirror, they see their family in their eyes, in their sharp jawlines, in the texture of their hair. When they look at family photos, they see faces of people who look like them. They see faces of people who they’ll look like in the future.
For me, I only have my imagination.
But I’m always trying.

Twelve-year-old Gabriela is trying to find their place in the world. In their body, which feels less and less right with each passing day. As an adoptee, in their all-white family. With their mom, whom they love fiercely and do anything they can to help with her depression. And at school, where they search for friends.

A new year will bring a school project, trans and queer friends, and a YouTube channel that help Gabriela find purpose in their journey. From debut author medina comes a beautifully told story of finding oneself and one’s community, at last.

Type: Middle Grade Novel
Pages: 256
Format: Hardcover
Publication: May 10, 2022
ISBN: 978-164614-090-9

PRAISE

“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. A sweet book that’s sure to spread love and hopefulness.”

—Kirkus

“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.”

—Booklist 

About medina

medina (they/them) is a queer Honduran nonbinary trans adoptee living in brooklyn. they have a dual MFA in nonfiction and writing for children and young adults from The New School. This is their first novel.