Picture a Puerto Rican storyteller who’s giving fat, brown girls the spotlight they deserve—meet Crystal Maldonado! This young adult author burst onto the scene with her heartfelt debut, Fat Chance, Charlie Vega, in 2021, crafting stories that wrap readers in rom-com warmth while tackling real issues like body image and identity with humor and heart.
With a knack for authentic representation, Maldonado’s books resonate with those who’ve ever felt like outsiders, blending emotional depth with a playful vibe. Her work doesn’t just entertain—it empowers, making her a rising star in young adult literature.
The Making of Crystal Maldonado
Born and raised in Connecticut, Crystal Maldonado grew up as a fat, Puerto Rican girl in a mostly white suburb, navigating the challenges of self-image and cultural identity. Her love for storytelling sparked early, fueled by young adult series like Gossip Girl and Sarah Dessen’s novels, which she devoured as a teen. Though the heroines in those books rarely looked like her, they inspired her to dream of writing stories where girls like herself could shine.
By day, Maldonado works in higher education marketing at UMass Amherst, where she mentors students and crafts creative content. By night, she channels her “lot of feelings” into writing, a passion that led to her debut novel after years of honing her craft. Her journalism degree from the University of Connecticut, paired with her personal experiences, shaped her authentic, inclusive voice.
Crystal Maldonado’s Unforgettable Stories
Maldonado’s debut, Fat Chance, Charlie Vega (2021), is a rom-com about a smart, artistic Puerto Rican teen navigating love, friendship, and fatphobia in a white Connecticut suburb. Praised as a Cosmopolitan Best New Book and a New England Book Award winner, it’s a raw, joyful celebration of self-love. Her sophomore novel, No Filter and Other Lies (2022), dives into the social media age, following Kat Sanchez, a fat, bi Puerto Rican teen who catfishes her way to Instagram fame, only to face the messy consequences.
In 2023, The Fall of Whit Rivera charmed readers with its cozy autumn vibes, centering a Type A, pumpkin spice-loving Puerto Rican girl organizing her high school’s Fall Formal. People Magazine called it a “pumpkin-spice-latte-flavored treat.” Her 2025 release, Get Real, Chloe Torres, promises a sapphic, fat-positive road-trip rom-com with a love triangle and ADHD representation. Maldonado’s style blends humor, romance, and social commentary, tackling themes like fat positivity, Latine identity, and self-acceptance with a light yet poignant touch.
She also co-authored the middle-grade novel Camp Sylvania: Moon Madness (2024) with Julie Murphy, a paranormal summer camp adventure featuring fat besties. Her stories consistently amplify underrepresented voices, making readers laugh, swoon, and feel seen.
Why Crystal Maldonado Matters
Maldonado’s impact lies in her unapologetic celebration of fat, brown girls, offering representation that’s still rare in young adult literature. Her books challenge stereotypes, reclaiming “fat” as a neutral descriptor and weaving in nuanced Latine identities. Readers, especially marginalized teens, find validation in her authentic characters, while her focus on body positivity and self-love sparks broader cultural conversations.
With starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly, Maldonado’s work is reshaping the genre, proving that diverse stories can be both universal and deeply personal. Her growing fanbase eagerly awaits each release, cementing her as a vital voice for a new generation.
- Born: Connecticut, USA
- Key Works: Fat Chance, Charlie Vega, No Filter and Other Lies, The Fall of Whit Rivera, Get Real, Chloe Torres
- Awards: 2021 New England Book Award for Fat Chance, Charlie Vega
- Fun Fact: She’s a Beyoncé fan and collects quirky earrings!
Snag Fat Chance, Charlie Vega and dive into Crystal Maldonado’s heartfelt, rom-com world—your heart will thank you!