"Readers won''t soon forget Gabi, a young woman coming into her own in the face of intense pressure from her family, culture and society to fit someone else''s idea of what it means to be a "good" girl. A fresh, authentic and honest exploration of contemporary Latina identity." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review "Reading Quintero''s debut is like attending a large family fiesta: it''s overpopulated with people, noise, and emotion, but the overall effect is joyous." --Daniel Kraus, Booklist , starred review "Quintero''s first novel quickly establishes a strong voice and Mexican-American cultural perspective through the journal of intelligent, self-deprecating, and funny Gabi." -- Publishers Weekly , starred review "Believing she''s not Mexican enough for her family and not white enough for Berkeley, Gabi still meets every challenge head-on with vulgar humor and raw honesty. A refreshing take on slut- and fat-shaming, Quintero''s work ranks with Meg Medina''s Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass (Candlewick, 2013) and Junot Diaz''s Drown (Riverhead, 1996) as a coming-of-age novel with Latino protagonists." --Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal , starred review "While reflecting the specific experiences of one overweight, Mexican-American teenager, Quintero''s debut novel addresses a number of universal themes, from family relationships to sexual exploration. Gabi''s voice, as expressed in her diary through poetry, prose, lists, and overheard conversations, is funny, smart, full of wonder, and brutally honest.

" ---Heather Christensen, VOYA Magazine , starred review "Gabi''s voice is a completely bicultural and bilingual voice, so throughout the novel, you will have Spanish and English the way it''s really spoken in our families -- it''s this crazy sort of Spanglish mix. And she''s bold. She will say the quote-unquote unthinkable things about her body, about sexuality, about the crazy, dual sets of rules for Latino boys and girls. --Meg Medina, NPR "Told through Gabi''s diary, the book is tragic, hilarious, and always whip-smart. It''s also, I''m sure, one of the most diverse and all-encompassing YA novels out there." --John Hansen, The Guardian "Meet Quintero''s "fat girl" Gabi, eating and starving and fighting and writing her way through the crushing pressures of high school boy desire, religious approval and Mexican cultural taboos. I cannot think of any book today for young adults as voracious, bold, truthful and timely." -- Juan Felipe Herrera, Poet Laureate of California "One of the year''s finest young adult novels.

" -- Largeheartedboy.com "Quintero''s novel shows that some of the most interesting, innovative, and honest titles come from the small press world. Award committees take note--this is an amazing novel from a bright new star." --Lyn Miller-Lachmann, The Pirate Tree "The author creates a strong sense of character and realistically portrays Gabi''s challenging settings. The way [Isabel] Quintero portrays the heroine''s moment-to-moment moods feels completely authentic." --Susie Wild, Herald Sun "California high school senior Gabriela (Gabi Hernanadez) is caught between not being Mexican enough and gravitating toward the things white girls do -- at least according to her mother. To make sense of her world, she keeps a journal about her own struggles with self-esteem and related weight issues, also writing about her best friend Cindy''s pregnancy and her other best friend Sebastian''s coming out to his family." --Karen Hildebrand, Literacy Daily "Gabi, A Girl in Pieces is a wonderful young adult piece that properly shows how to handle intersectional identities while still keeping the writing level superb.

I think this novel left me better than when I began it." --Brent Lambert, RRAP Magazine "Wish this book had been around during my angsty youth, but at least you can pick it up now and revel in the author''s grace and humor in dealing with very heavy subject matter. Isabel Quintero reminds us of the transformative power of journal writing, as well." --Stacey Lewis, City Lights Publishers "Isabel Quintero''s young adult novel "Gabi: A Girl in Pieces" centers around a young, light-skinned Mexican-American girl. Like Gabi, I feel I need to prove my identity all the time." --Melissa LozadaOliva, The Guardian Winner of the William C. Morris Award for YA Debut Novel School Library Journal Best Books of 2014 Booklist Best Books of 2014 2015 YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Top 10 Selection 2015 YALSA Best Fiction for Young AdultsAmelia Bloomer List, part of the American Library Association, Social Responsibilities Round Table''s Feminist Task Force 2015 Tomás Rivera Book Award, Works for Older Children 2015 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People, Grades 7-12 2015 Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens 2014 California Book Award Gold Medal Winner, Young Adult Fiction Amelia Bloomer List, part of the American Library Association, Social Responsibilities Round Table''s Feminist Task Force 2015 Tomás Rivera Book Award, Works for Older Children 2015 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People, Grades 7-12 2015 Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens 2014 California Book Award Gold Medal Winner, Young Adult Fiction.