Happy Book Birthday: FAT CHANCE, CHARLIE VEGA by Crystal Maldonado

We've been celebrating Crystal Maldonado's debut YA novel, FAT CHANCE CHARLIE VEGA all week long. Today, we're extra thrilled to share Crystal's letter to her readers. Scroll on to read!

​Dear reader,
 
When I was a little girl, I dreamt of books. Very specifically, I dreamt of writing the kind of book I needed when I was a teenager: a book that might take a reader’s hand and tell them that they’re not alone; a book for those who often felt overlooked; a book that explicitly featured a fat, Puerto Rican girl at its heart. There are few greater feelings than finding a book that feels like it was made just for you, and now, I am excited and humbled to give you FAT CHANCE, CHARLIE VEGA.
 
The story is full of so many things that are meaningful to me. It celebrates books, best friends, found family, fat fashion, writing, Beyoncé, self acceptance, cute boys, first kisses, first loves, and happily-ever-afters. It is an ultimate celebration of fat girls — fat brown girls especially.
 
Beyond that, this book is for anyone who has ever grappled with feeling insecure, for fat readers who never feel like they get have joyful and full stories, for brown kids who deserve to have their stories told, for all who have ever embarked on a journey of self-love, for those who would do anything for their best friend, for people with imperfect families, for anyone who yearns for love, for all who are still learning to be kind to themselves, for those who dream.
 
I hope readers everywhere can see a part of themselves in Charlie. I hope this story finds all who may need it. And I hope that you pick up this book and it feels like I wrote it just for you — because I did.
 
With love,
Crystal

Crystal Maldonado is a young adult author with a lot of feelings. Her debut novel, FAT CHANCE, CHARLIE VEGA (Holiday House), was released on Feb. 2, 2021. By day, she is a social media manager working in higher ed, and by night, a writer who loves Beyoncé, shopping, spending too much time on her phone, and being extra. She lives in western Massachusetts with her husband, daughter, and dog. Follow her everywhere @crystalwrote or visit her website at crystalwrote.com.