Breaking Barriers: Sonido Reyes on Queer, Latinx, and Mental Health Representation in YA in Conversation with Dr. Elisabeth Paige

About this episode

Sonido Reyes discusses his journey and the importance of representation in young adult literature.

In this powerful episode, Sonido Reyes joins Elisabeth Paige to discuss his journey as an acclaimed author bringing vital representation to young adult literature. Sonido shares his late-blooming love for writing, sparked through fan fiction and a journey from shame to joy in self-expression. The episode delves deep into Sonido’s award-winning novels, including The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School and The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar. Sonido unpacks how these works weave in complex issues...

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Elisabeth Paige

Guest: Sonido Reyes

Topics covered

• queer representation
• Latinx culture
• mental health
• young adult literature
• self-expression

Keywords

• queer
• Latinx
• mental health
• young adult
• representation
• writing
• self-expression

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School, The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar

More episodes of Mindful, Happy Kids

• Dr. Rajani LaRocca: Indian American Author Across the Children's Lifespan in Conversation with Dr. Elisabeth Paige · May 26, 2026 · 1h 14m
• Chris Baron on Passover Anthology "On All Other Nights" and Wildfire Verse Novel "Spark" · April 11, 2026 · 55 min
• Dan Gemeinhart on "The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise," "Coyote Lost and Found," and "Busted" with Dr. Elisabeth Paige · March 26, 2026 · 55 min
• Author Johnny Marciano in Conversation with Dr. Elisabeth Paige and Mike Rosenstein · March 8, 2026 · 1h 41m
• Nora Lester Morad: Writing as a Tool for Change for the Palestinians · February 5, 2026 · 47 min
• "The Petitation Companion: Introduction" · January 23, 2026 · 13 min