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Seven Stories Press

Works of Radical Imagination

Cover of “City Girls”
Cover of “City Girls”

Shortlisted by the Children's Book Council for the Goddard Riverside Prize for Social Justice, 2024

One of New York Public Library’s Best Books for Kids 2024

Readers of Lucky Broken Girl, Hurricane Child, and The House on Mango Street, will love this story of finding sanctuary with friends who understand the enormous changes life can throw you when you're 11.

What Elisa, Lucia, and Alice see–and judge–of each other from the outside is drastically different from how each girl feels inside. They attend the same classes in the same New York City middle school, but no one knows that Elisa is trying to navigate the bewildering asylum process having just arrived from El Salvador; or that Lucia, who also speaks Spanish and brims with self-confidence, is caught in the middle of her parents’ heartbreaking divorce; or that Alice, who appears to be a rebel in combat boots, carries the burden of her mother’s progressing cancer.

Narrated by each girl in alternating chapters, City Girls captures the vulnerability of being a middle schooler and the relief and joy of finding friendship where you least expect it.

Cover of “City Girls”
Cover of “City Girls”

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“A beautiful story that reaches deep into the lives of girls coming of age today as they confront loss and fear and sorrow while still trying to be young and free. How lucky we all are that Loretta Lopez has chosen to share her psychological understanding through such evocative fiction. She knows how to heal with words, and offers hope and love and kindness that wraps around our corazones.”

“A marvelous read, wonderfully intertwined with tragedy and hope. Loretta Lopez has written a compelling and honest account of what many young people go through and the friendships that get them through those trying times.”

“It’s a feel-good read for all ages.”

“‘City Girls’ is such an important novel, especially to children, because of its boundless ability to connect with and teach to a wide variety of audiences.”

LORETTA LOPEZ is a Mexican-American therapist living in New York City with clinical specialties including childhood trauma, serious mental illness, and patients with refugee and immigrant statuses. She holds a M.A. from Columbia University’s School of Social Work and a B.A. with Honors in the Written Arts from Bard College. Her writing has been recognized by the Gold Portfolio Award from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and the Turkey Land Cove’s writers grant.