Transgender YA novel to Usborne

Usborne has acquired the UK and Commonwealth rights to a debut YA novel about a transgender teenager.

If I Was Your Girl by US author Meredith Russo is a coming-of-age story inspired by the author’s own experiences as a trans woman.

Stephanie King, commissioning editor at Usborne, struck the deal with Alex Webb at rights people, acting on behalf of Alloy Entertainment.

King said: “Written with honesty, depth and, ultimately, optimism, If I Was Your Girl examines what it takes and what it means to have the strength of character to be who you truly are with disarming openness and warmth. Like all the best books it made me laugh, it made me cry, it had me hooked and it made me think.”

UK publication is set for June 2016.