The Fall of Whit Rivera

Praise

“A pumpkin-spice-latte-flavored treat.”—PEOPLE Magazine

★ “Meaningful. . . Multidimensional. . . An important addition to YA literature.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Maldonado wraps this sweet romance in a satisfying story of self-acceptance, surrounding Whit with a fully realized cast of family and friends. Readers will swoon as they watch Whit and Zay fall for each other, but they’ll love watching Whit fall in love with herself even more.”—Booklist
 
“Maldonado’s writing warmly captures the charms and challenges of high school life for a Latina in a fat body, believably rendering the struggles and idiosyncrasies of teenagerhood. The heart-fluttering romance that ensues with the thoughtful Zay makes for a cozy autumnal read, but the depictions of friendship, family, and navigation of a chronic illness make this a solid read for all seasons.”—The Horn Book

“This novel celebrates the less-than-perfect with a lot of Rory Gilmore energy.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Vivid prose by Maldonado (No Filter and Other Lies), paired with ample romantic and lighthearted antics, aids in levying serious interrogations of anti-fatness, chronic illness, and medical gaslighting, making for a compassionate and cozy read.“—Publishers Weekly

“An ode to all things autumnal, with a dash of sweet romance and timely social issues on top.”—Paste

“Whit has a Type-A personality, but is teeming with love for her two longtime best friends, her autistic sister, and her abuela. That love comes through strongly.”—AudioFile

“A must-read. . . It’s everything I love in Crystal Maldonado’s books wrapped up in a cozy sweater.”—RJ Julia Independent Booksellers, Staff Pick

“Full of humor and love, Crystal Maldonado has created another layered story filled with evolving family relationships, complex friendships, and a new crush that feel all too real. Paired with flirty banter that will make you swwon, this is the perfect book.”—The Odyssey Bookshop, Staff Pick

“Beautifully tackles themes of chronic illness, fatphobia, sexuality, and class. It will also have you laughing out loud!”—Parnassus Books, Staff Pick