Does My Body Offend You? - by Mayra Cuevas & Marie Marquardt

Book Synopsis

A timely story of two teenagers who discover the power of friendship, feminism, and standing up for what you believe in, no matter where you come from. A collaboration between two gifted authors writing from alternating perspectives, this compelling novel shines with authenticity, courage, and humor.

Malena Rosario is starting to believe that catastrophes come in threes. First, Hurricane María destroyed her home, taking her unbreakable spirit with it. Second, she and her mother are now stuck in Florida, which is nothing like her beloved Puerto Rico. And third, when she goes to school bra-less after a bad sunburn and is humiliated by the school administration into covering up, she feels like she has no choice but to comply.

Ruby McAllister has a reputation as her school's outspoken feminist rebel. But back in Seattle, she lived under her sister's shadow. Now her sister is teaching in underprivileged communities, and she's in a Florida high school, unsure of what to do with her future, or if she's even capable making a difference in the world. So when Ruby notices the new girl is being forced to cover up her chest, she is not willing to keep quiet about it.

Neither Malena nor Ruby expected to be the leaders of the school's dress code rebellion. But the girls will have to face their own insecurities, biases, and privileges, and the ups and downs in their newfound friendship, if they want to stand up for their ideals and--ultimately--for themselves.

About the Author

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, MAYRA CUEVAS is a professional journalist and author of Salty, Bitter, Sweet. Her debut fiction short story was selected by Becky Albertalli as a New Voice in the Foreshadow YA serial anthology in 2019. She is a TV and digital producer for CNN. She lives in the colorful town of Norcross, Georgia, with her husband and their cat, Felicia. She is the wicked stepmom to two amazing young men who provide plenty of inspiration for her stories. Follow her on Twitter at @Mayra ECuevas and Instagram at @Mayra Cuevas

MARIE MARQUARDT is a Scholar-in-Residence at Emory University's Candler School of Theology and author of Dream Things True and The Radius of Us. She has published articles and co-authored two nonfiction books about Latin American immigration to the U.S. South. Marie is chair of El Refugio, a nonprofit that serves detained immigrants and their families. She lives in a busy household in Decatur, Georgia, with her spouse, four children, a dog, and a bearded dragon. Follow her on Twitter at @MarieFMarquardt and Instagram at @Marie_Marquardt.