A moving middle grade debut about foster care, self-advocacy, and realizing that a found family is a real family.

I loved every pagea gorgeous rendering of what it means to find home in ourselves and others. Mariama J. Lockington, Stonewall Honor and Schneider Family Book Award winning author of In the Key of Us and Forever is Now

Its the first week of middle school, and Ash (dont call her Ashley) already has a class assignment: Make a family tree. But how can Ash make a family tree if she doesnt have a family? Ever since she was four years old, Ash has been in foster care, living with one so-called family after another. Now shes stuck with Gladys. And the only place Ash feels safe is in the branches of her favorite tree, drawing in her sketchbook, hidden from the view of Gladys son Jordan.

As Jordan becomes harder to hide from, and more dangerous to be around, Ash isnt sure who she can trust. A new friend, an old friend, some teachers at school? Sometimes the hardest part of asking for help is knowing who to ask.

In My So-Called Family, Gia Gordon weaves a lyrical story about complicated family dynamics thats perfect for fans of Fish in a Tree and Counting by 7s.