Redemption of Daya Keane

Gia Gordon is a Texas-based author, youth activist, and former educator. She’s cofounder of the nonprofit Never Counted Out, which provides books to classrooms and community programs. When she’s not writing, Gia can be found at home with her partner and two kitties, out thrifting, or turning no-longer-wanted household goods into beautifully painted designs at Salvage Art. The Redemption of Daya Keane is her debut novel, and you can find her at giagordonwrites.com.

"The Redemption of Daya Keane is a glowing affirmation of staying true to your heart. The road might not always be easy, but Gia Gordon shows with witty and observant prose that staying true to yourself will never steer you wrong." — Jason June, New York Times best-selling author"The Redemption of Daya Keane is a heartfelt and beautiful queer coming of age story. I fell in love with it with my whole heart. Gia Gordon took me to a world I’ll never forget, where I just wanted to hang out with Daya and her dazzling friends, B’Rad and Stella. Read it. Now." — Bill Konigsberg, Award-Winning Author of Openly Straight and The Music of What Happens"The complexity and relatability of Daya’s character as she struggles to stay true to herself while pursuing Beckett is immense... it's that relatability, combined with clear prose and an enjoyable story, that allows space for nuance in topics that are typically presented as clearcut for queer youth." — Booklist"Heartbreaking and hopeful all at once, this contemporary queer coming-of-age story treads deeply into heavy topics, particularly intertwined grief, abuse, and religious trauma. Gordon’s debut captures the full tapestry of Daya’s emotions in prose rich with vivid imagery and metaphor.... Raw and achingly truthful." — Kirkus Reviews“Emotional and empowering, The Redemption of Daya Keane is full of the kind of heart and truth that vibrates off the page. Gia Gordon captures the complexities of love, faith, and growing up queer in this pitch-perfect portrayal of a young woman learning to navigate the world on her own terms. You’ll be thinking about Daya and her unforgettable story long after you’ve finished!" — Amber Smith, New York Times bestselling author of The Way I Used to Be"With vibes of The Half of It and The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School, Gia Gordon presents an emotional and deeply relevant coming-of-age story about the power—and the cost—of embracing your truth." — Jonny Garza Villa, Stonewall Honor Author of Ander & Santi Were Here"Both Daya’s believable voice and thoughtful contemplations on where and with whom she fits help to make space for readers contending with their own feelings around queerness and religion... [an] honest portrayal of religious trauma and the difficulties of growing up queer in close-minded spaces." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books"Author Gordon writes so compellingly that readers are placed firmly within Daya’s worldview; she feels real enough to hear and touch... This LGBTQIA+ novel is essential to every collection serving teens and offers a fine choice for book discussions." — School Library Journal (starred review)