MEREDITH RUSSO was born, raised, and lives in Tennessee. She started living as her true self in late 2013 and never looked back. If I Was Your Girl was partially inspired by her experiences as a trans woman. Like Amanda, Meredith is a gigantic nerd who spends a lot of her time obsessing over video games and Star Wars.
New York Public Library Top 10 Teen Book of the Year
Chicago Public Library "Best of the Best"
Nominated for the 2020 Carnegie Medal
Texas Library Association's Tayshas Top 10 Book
YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults List
ALA's 2020 Rainbow Book List
"Lovers who surmount the odds have always been intense emotional
fodder, but rarely have we seen a story like Meredith Russo's
Birthday. Russo is herself trans, and she brings her whole heart to
a story laced with pain that, in the end, lifts with hope. The
birthday structure could feel like a gimmick, but it works thanks
to her characters, especially Morgan, who is true and raw, haunting
and undeniable. --The New York Times Book Review "A sensitive,
uplifting narrative, one that feels much-needed." --Nylon, Best
Book of the Month "In addition to being exquisitely written,
Birthday showcases the best of YA: its ability to instill empathy
in readers. Written by a trans author, Birthday gives an essential
perspective into the trans experience." --Refinery29, Best Book of
the Month "Meredith Russo, the author of If I Was Your Girl, is
back with a gorgeous story of first love. Eric and Morgan share a
birthday, and everything else, too. This book follows the two on
six of their birthdays--only on their birthday--and in the process,
tells a wrenching story about love, friendship, sexuality, and
gender." --Bustle, Best Book of the Month "Beautifully written,
Birthday is an altogether singular contribution to the gradually
growing body of transgender literature and, indeed, to mainstream
literature, as well." --Booklist, starred review "Russo seamlessly
melds difficulties with joy and impossibilities with solutions, to
create a resonating 'love story eighteen years in the making.'"
--Shelf Awareness "Morgan and Eric's struggles feel so real that
they broke my heart, twisted it, and made me tear up. This book is
incredibly fast-faced, so much so that I couldn't put it down.
Recommended to lovers of realistic literature and romance." --The
Missourian "Both heartbreaking and heartwarming, this book is a
celebration of friendship, life, and enduring love between two
teens." --Mason Deaver, author of I Wish You All the Best "I
couldn't put it down." --Camryn Garrett, author of Full
Disclosure
"A tender story of friendship, family, community, identity, and
love...an honest exploration of the transgender experience that
does not shy away from harsh realities, but remains optimistic and
hopeful. Meredith Russo has proved herself yet again to be the
queen of the queer self-love story." --Mackenzi Lee, author of The
Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue "Birthday is a luminous and
profoundly moving coming-of-age story of love, family, friendship,
destiny, and the struggle to live as one's truest self. It will
break your heart, piece it back together even stronger, and do it
again and again until the last page." --Jeff Zentner, author of
Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee "Stonewall Award winner Russo
captures the intense longing of two teens who feel trapped in their
small town. An emotional, winning touchdown." --Kirkus Reviews
"Stonewall Award winner Russo (If I Was Your Girl) tackles teen
love, heartbreak, sexuality, and gender identity in this novel told
over the course of six years through the alternating voices of
transgender girl Morgan and cisgender boy Eric, two childhood best
friends who share the same birthday. A realistic picture of the
challenges that teens may face when finding themselves and falling
in love." --Publishers Weekly
Praise for If I Was Your Girl ALA Stonewall Book Award Winner
We Need Diverse Books' Walter Dean Myers Award Honor Book
Goodreads Readers' Choice Award Finalist
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Kirkus Best Book of the Year
Lambda Literary Award Finalist
New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
Chicago Public Library "Best of the Best"
Zoella Book Club Pick
Bustle Best YA Book of the Year
ALA's Best Fiction for Young Adults List
YALSA Top 10 Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers
YALSA Teens' Top 10 Pick
Indie Next Top 10 Pick
One of Flavorwire's 50 Books Every Modern Teenager Should Read
"A necessary, universal story about feeling different." --Kirkus,
starred review
"An illuminating debut guided by hope and overwhelming kindness."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Everything a coming-of-age novel should be." --School Library
Journal, Popular Pick
"Will change minds and open hearts." --Nina LaCour, author of We
Are Okay
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