Description: "Each poem is as raw as it is beautiful." --Alex Gino, author of ALA Stonewall Award-winning novel Melissa
A middle grade novel in verse about a young trans girl who uses a computer game to process an ADHD diagnosis, isolation, and her relationship to gender. J--'s life is consumed by the roller coaster video game Coaster Boss, and by the power she exerts over the pixelated theme park attendees. Her life outside the game, however, is less controllable. Me.I'm such a big space. I break the universe, a glitch. She's navigating ADHD, the loneliness of middle school, and an overwhelming crush on a girl named Junie. J-- is convinced that Junie sees her as who she really is, a person who isn't "bad" just because she doesn't stay quiet and sit still in class. As a person who is realizing that the name she's been given doesn't really fit her. And that maybe boy doesn't either. Glitch Girl! follows J-- from fifth to seventh grade, from the beginning to the end of her obsession with Coaster Boss, and to the start of a new friendship. When J-- meets Sam, a nonbinary classmate, she begins to realize that it's okay to not fit into neat, pixelated boxes.
Review Quotes: PRAISE FOR GLITCH GIRL! by Rainie Oet:
A 2026 Lambda Literary Award winner (Middle Grade category)An American Library Association (ALA) 2026 Rainbow Book List (Top Ten Title)
Best Children's Fiction (2025), Transfeminine Review's Readers Choice Awards
Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Awards (PADIBA) Commended Book (2026) "Each poem is as raw as it is beautiful."
--Alex Gino, author of ALA Stonewall Award-winning novel Melissa
"Rainie Oet brings a fresh and affecting poetic voice to this tender tale of neuro-spiciness and gender quest. Her depiction of gaming's power for good in today's young lives is keenly observed and quirkily imagined. This is an original and necessary book." --Lisa Bunker, author of Felix XY and Zenobia July. "Explore[s] the intensity and isolation of adolescence. Rainie's writing is a gift to young readers." --Mary Karr, Whiting Award winning and New York Times bestselling author of The Liar's Club "Poignant, illuminating. ...accessible, immersive." --Booklist "Authentic, heartrending ... stunning." --Shelf Awareness "An important purchase for all libraries seeking to help their students understand themselves and others better." --School Library Journal "Hopeful and empathetic. A turbulent, emotionally wrenching coming-of-age story." --Kirkus Reviews "Simple language injects immediacy into J--'s narration throughout this raw novel about navigating abuse, gender identity, and experiences of neurodivergence." --Publishers Weekly