Why am I passionate about this?

I remember how it was to be an awkward teen, misunderstood, questioning, and having nowhere to turn. I remember living in a violent world where I had to grow up to survive. The world was a scary place for a neurodivergent who lived more in her head than in real life. I want to be able to bring stories to our young people where they might see themselves and not feel so alone because we all are a bit awkward, a bit misunderstood, and filled with stories that deserve to be told.


I wrote

On the Edge of Broken Pieces

By Elizabeth Arroyo,

Book cover of On the Edge of Broken Pieces

What is my book about?

Xander hasn’t spoken with anyone about what happened the night of the accident. He’s buried the truth alongside his family.…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun

Elizabeth Arroyo Why did I love this book?

Coming out to the people you love is difficult enough. Julian comes out to the world in a tweet–and has to live with it the following day when he remembers. Oops.

This is a heartfelt story of a boy trying to find his place in the world despite not being understood by the people who matter most. For Julian, it’s his dad. Funny, heartfelt, and much deserving of a HEA.

By Jonny Garza Villa,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A poignant, funny, openhearted novel about coming out, first love, and being your one and only best and true self.

Julian Luna has a plan for his life: Graduate. Get into UCLA. And have the chance to move away from Corpus Christi, Texas, and the suffocating expectations of others that have forced Jules into an inauthentic life.

Then in one reckless moment, with one impulsive tweet, his plans for a low-key nine months are thrown-literally-out the closet. The downside: the whole world knows, and Jules has to prepare for rejection. The upside: Jules now has the opportunity to be his…


Book cover of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Elizabeth Arroyo Why did I love this book?

This is a heartwarming journey of one boy trying to protect the identity of a secret admirer while protecting his own heart. Simon is forced to come out. His parents are supportive, and his sisters are too. There’s a nice family dynamic there.

He really wants to know who his secret admirer is and that ending! This is the book that launched my interest in this genre. I loved it! 

By Becky Albertalli,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

Love, Victor is now a major TV series on Dinsey+, set in the world of the hit film Love, Simon

The beloved, award-winning novel is now a major motion picture starring 13 Reasons Why's Katherine Langford and Everything, Everything's Nick Robinson.

----------

Straight people should have to come out too. And the more awkward it is, the better.

Simon Spier is sixteen and trying to work out who he is - and what he's looking for.

But when one of his emails to the very distracting Blue falls into the wrong hands, things get all kinds of complicated.

Because, for…


Book cover of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Elizabeth Arroyo Why did I love this book?

Coming out sometimes happens slowly. This book is about two boys who meet over one summer and become best friends. Although they’re different, they find the pieces of themselves that fit together.

Throughout the story, it felt as if they were meant to be together. The Universe made it so. All Ari had to do was believe. 

By Benjamin Alire Sáenz,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 11, 12, 13, and 14.

What is this book about?

This Printz Honor Book is a "tender, honest exploration of identity" (Publishers Weekly) that distills lyrical truths about family and friendship.

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When they meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the two loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special kind of friendship--the kind of friendship that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through their friendship that Ari and Dante will learn…


Book cover of I Want To Kiss You In Public

Elizabeth Arroyo Why did I love this book?

Louis lives his life always on. He dresses like a rockstar but doesn’t play an instrument. He’s trying to be someone to everyone, and he doesn’t really know who he is until he meets Michael—the new kid.

Louis has a girlfriend, so he’s confused about the feelings he starts to have for Michael. This coming out happens slowly at first, then all at once. Louis is a neurodivergent character, and I really enjoyed his journey of self-discovery.

By Zelda French,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked I Want To Kiss You In Public as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Louis thought he had it all figured out. He couldn’t have been more wrong.

If you ask Louis, he’s a rock star.

Just the right amount of sarcastic, cute, and only slightly delusional. He attends the best high school — in Paris no less — has the coolest best friend and the fiercest girlfriend, and he’s absolutely, a hundred per cent straight.

So no, Michael, the new British student, with his dark curls and sweet smiles, doesn’t interest him whatsoever. And when a teacher pairs the two to write an essay together and Louis gets all worked up about it,…


Book cover of The Long Run

Elizabeth Arroyo Why did I love this book?

Coming out happens with an unexpected kiss. The two boys are opposites. One forgotten among his large family, the other an angry loner. The kiss happens, and they become friends. Then more.

What really got me with this one is that they’re seniors. And it’s hard to fall in love senior year, knowing that college will separate you. That’s what they’re dealing with here. Overall, a great read.

By James Acker,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Long Run as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

2024 Stonewall Book Award Honor for Young Adult Literature

"A boldly authentic new voice in queer fiction." —Abdi Nazemian, author of Stonewall Honor book Like a Love Story and The Chandler Legacies

Two track and field athletes find an unexpected but powerful love in this unapologetically blunt and unforgettably real YA debut.

Sebastian Villeda is over it. Over his rep. Over his bros. Over being "Bash the Flash," fastest sprinter in South Jersey. His dad is gone, his mom is dead, and his stepfather is clueless. Bash has no idea what he wants out of life. Until he meets Sandro.…


Explore my book 😀

On the Edge of Broken Pieces

By Elizabeth Arroyo,

Book cover of On the Edge of Broken Pieces

What is my book about?

Xander hasn’t spoken with anyone about what happened the night of the accident. He’s buried the truth alongside his family. Attached with labels such as survivor’s guilt, PTSD, and intermittent explosive disorder, Xander edges through life. Until he meets Olympic gold medalist snowboarder Wade, who sets him on edge in all the right ways, forcing Xander to consider his sexuality. 

But Wade comes with his own set of issues. An overbearing mother, an older ex-boyfriend who wants him back, and the fear of face-planting while performing one of his tricks. Xander is clueless about what he could do to keep Wade off the snow and soon learns that one moment is all it takes to lose everything. He just hopes history doesn’t repeat itself.

Book cover of Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun
Book cover of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Book cover of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

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Eileen Goudge Author Of All They Need to Know

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