A bright and fun fat-positive coming-of-age novel about self discovery, humility, friendship, love—and how to express yourself when what has always defined you is no longer an option by debut author Allison L. Bitz . Perfect for fans of Crystal Maldonado, Emma Lord, and Becky Albertalli.

THE UNSTOPPABLE BRIDGET BLOOM
by Allison L. Bitz
HarperTeen, May 2023

Bridget grows from an egocentric, benign narcissist into a really great friend throughout her journey. Her friendships are just as important to her growth, if not more important, than the romance sub plot, in which she slowly falls in love with someone who she didn’t expect, but who readers will certainly be rooting for from scene one!
Bridget’s weight and pansexuality are never an obstacle for her, which will resonate with teens who want to see characters like them unapologetically be themselves on the page. As Allison Bitz says in her Author’s Note in the backmatter, “Bridget is graceful and attractive and confident and talented and fat and exactly the girl I wish I would have seen that I absolutely was back in high school.” Bridget is confident from page one and never doubts her talent or self-worth, even in the face of obstacles, making her the perfect role model for teenage girls, who are often told not to be too ambitious or too sure of themselves.

Allison L. Bitz hails from Lincoln, NE, where she lives with her spouse and two kids. Her superpower is empathy, and she’s been known to have resting tell-me-your-life-story face. Allison holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology and has worked as a licensed psychologist since 2012. When she’s not working on a novel or counseling, Allison is more than likely writing a song, getting riled up about something political, or trying to track down a pastry to enjoy with her coffee. She has a soft spot for rescue animals, which are vying for species majority in her home (two perfect dogs, two ornery cats). THE UNSTOPPABLE BRIDGET BLOOM is her debut novel.