ALONDRA by Gina Femia
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A contemporary YA debut from award-winning playwright Gina Femia, Alondra is a coming-of-age story of friendship and romance, about a bisexual teen girl and her friends wrestling their way through the summer--sometimes on the playgrounds of Coney Island, sometimes with their feelings and at home.
Sixteen-year-old Alonda loves professional wrestling. So when she meets a group of teens with aspirations of wrestling fame in her Coney Island neighborhood, she couldn't be happier. So as the ragtag team works to put on a show to remember, Alonda sheds her old self behind and becomes Alondra--the Fearless One. But with her conflicting feelings for King, the handsome leader of their group, and Lexi, the girl with the beautiful smile, Alonda has to ask herself: can she be as fearless outside of the ring as she is inside it?
Praise for Alondra:
Alondra is a 2023 Golden Kite Award Finalist in YA Fiction!
Named one of the Best Books for Teens 2023 by the New York Public Library!
It was also a Teen Approved Best Book of 2023 for the Chicago Public Library!
‘Alondra’ an Impactful YA Book Written by an Unlikely Fan at Slam Wrestling
"There’s much to praise in this fast-paced and engaging debut, from the sense of found family that is part of Alonda’s life in multiple ways to the commentary on the impact of gentrification...A satisfying and joyful read." —Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW
“…Alonda’s determination to explore a bold new side of herself, and her gradual self-acceptance of her bisexuality, are immediately endearing, amounting to a sweetly introspective read.” — Publisher’s Weekly
“Femia tackles friendship, love, sexuality and grief deftly in this capture of a wrestling summer when everything changes….This book will appeal to anyone who enjoys contemporary realistic YA, wrestling (or sports in general), and coming of age romance.” - Booklist
“Award-winning playwright Gina Femia’s first YA novel, Alondra, is a fast-paced, queer homage to summer in Brooklyn. Alonda and her band of hardworking misfit wrestlers are well-crafted and grounded, and Femia captures their close connections as [they] place them in dramatic yet familiar situations… Readers will yell, cringe and cheer as Alonda finds her bisexuality and her voice, as her friends find their footing as a troupe and as her guardian, Teresa, finds self-confidence after years of shouldering her burdens alone….Like the best professional wrestling performances, Alondra is a heartfelt story that provides a realistic yet blissful experience.” - Bookpage