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

Sonido Reyes, a queer Latinx author, reveals how their writing journey began not in school but through fan fiction—free from the shame of academic failure—and evolved into powerful young adult novels that center on mental health, queerness, and family dynamics within the Mexican community. In conversation with Dr. Elisabeth Paige, Reyes dismantles myths about representation, arguing that stories about marginalized youth must include their full lived experiences—struggles, identity, and joy—to feel authentic and healing. Their latest book, *The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar*, is a raw, unflinching portrayal of rapid cycling bipolar disorder, showing how medication non-adherence, trauma from religious institutions, and familial rejection can derail recovery. Yet it also offers hope through therapy, community, and forgiveness—especially in a culture where mental illness is stigmatized and silence is enforced. Reyes emphasizes that representation isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about creating space where kids who feel unseen can finally say, 'That’s me.' The book’s use of blackout poetry and poetry as emotional release becomes a radical act of self-reclamation. Reyes’ next novel, *To Our Untamed Core*, is a dystopian Mexican *Hunger Games* reimagining steeped in Catholic colonialism, where survival is a form of resistance. They argue that even in darkness, creativity and connection are revolutionary. Their message to young writers? Stay true to your truth, even if it’s messy.