Claiming Georgia Tate

Gigi Amateau's "Claiming Georgia Tate" is a poignant and unflinching young adult novel about twelve-year-old Georgia Tate, who is grappling with the recent death of her beloved nana and the horrifying reality of her father's abuse. As she faces the daunting move to live with him, Georgia struggles with shame and fear, unable to articulate her secret. The book sensitively portrays the trauma of incestuous abuse while also highlighting themes of survival, the strength of family bonds, the kindness of strangers, and the profound journey towards hope and healing. It is a powerful story for mature young readers and their caregivers, offering a narrative of resilience.

"It’s rare and exciting to discover a talented new writer like Gigi Amateau." — Judy Blume Twelve-year-old Georgia Tate wishes she could stay home in Mississippi forever with her preacher granddaddy and her best friend Ginger. After losing her nana to a heart attack, she desperately wishes she could tell her granddaddy why she can’t possibly move in with Daddy — about the things he does that make her feel so ashamed. With a vivid narrative voice, Gigi Amateau tells an unflinching tale of a sensitive girl caught in the trauma of incestuous abuse. But it is also a story of survival — an ode to the solace of family, the mercy of strangers, and the possibility of hope and healing.