Gia Gordon is a disabled author, youth activist, and former educator. As a dedicated children’s literacy advocate, Gia is co-founder of Never Counted Out, a nonprofit that sends books to programs and classrooms where access to reading material isn’t readily available. When she’s not writing, Gia can be found thrifting or turning no-longer-wanted household goods into beautifully reimagined designs. Her middle grade debut My So-Called Family received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly; was named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2024, and a Bookshop.org Best of Kids Chapter Book of 2024; and is longlisted for the Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Award.
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Gia Gordon
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My So-Called Family
It’s the first week of middle school, and Ash (don’t call her “Ashley”) already has a class assignment: Make a family tree. But how can Ash make a family tree if she doesn’t have a family? Ever since she was four years old, Ash has been in foster care, living with one so-called family after another. Now she’s stuck with Gladys. And the only place Ash feels safe is in the branches of her favorite tree, drawing in her sketchbook, hidden from the view of Gladys’ son Jordan.
As Jordan becomes harder to hide from, and more dangerous to be around, Ash isn’t sure who she can trust. A new friend, an old friend, some teachers at school? Sometimes the hardest part of asking for help is knowing who to ask.
In "My So-Called Family," Gia Gordon weaves a lyrical story about complicated family dynamics that’s perfect for fans of "Fish in a Tree" and "Counting by 7s."
