STEPHANIE JIMENEZ
THEY COULD HAVE NAMED HER ANYTHING is Stephanie Jimenez's debut novel—the story of two teenaged girls—one Latina and one white—questioning what it means to live up to the name you’ve been given and how far you’ll go for the life you’ve always dreamed of; grappling with racism, class privilege, female friendship, and familial expectations, set in Queens and the Upper East Side, Manhattan.​
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BOOKLIST
“In this beautiful debut, Jimenez boldly examines the desperate desire to fit in as an American minority living in a rich, white-dominated society. She unveils the struggles of both the upper and working classes with incredible empathy and sophistication, for a thoroughly engaging read.”
—Booklist
COSMOPOLITAN
“Penned by a Latinx author, this arrestingly titled debut is told from the perspective of two girls and their fathers…Racism, class, betrayal, family, and friendship are all dissected by this fresh new voice.”—Cosmopolitan UK
KIRKUS REVIEWS
“Bristling with adolescent insecurities, sexual tension, and status consciousness, Jimenez's debut is a natural for both adult and teen readers.“
—Kirkus Reviews
"A beautiful, unflinching narrative about the time in one's life when we go from being defined by what others think of us to unapologetically embracing our complicated and fluid selves.”
—Natalia Sylvester, author of Everyone Knows You Go Home and Chasing the Sun
"Tightly drawn characters and beautifully woven plotting reveal the simple truth that coming of age for young women in the modern era is never simple at all."
—Meghann Foye, author of Meternity
“Offers sharp insights about teens from different worlds. Highly recommended for mature audiences.”
—School Library Journal