Ramona Blue

Julie Murphy's "Ramona Blue" introduces readers to Ramona, a resilient young woman living in rural Mississippi, still shaped by the distant memory of Hurricane Katrina. Standing over six feet tall with vibrant blue hair, Ramona is openly lesbian and fiercely devoted to her often-unreliable family. As she shoulders the burden of multiple jobs and caring for her flaky mother, ineffectual father, and pregnant sister, Ramona's world is upended by the return of her childhood friend, Freddie. Their rekindled friendship and a shared love for swimming lead Ramona to unexpectedly question her sexual identity, exploring the fluidity of attraction beyond what she previously understood. This novel offers a poignant look at self-discovery, family bonds, and the complexities of love in a small-town setting.

Ramona was only five years old when Hurricane Katrina changed her life forever. Since then, it s been Ramona and her family against the world. One of only two out lesbians in her small town and standing over six feet tall with unmistakable blue hair, Ramona knows she s destined for something bigger than the trailer she calls home in Eulogy, Mississippi. But juggling multiple jobs, her flaky mom, and her well-meaning but ineffectual dad forces her to be the responsible adult of the family. Now, with her sister, Hattie, pregnant, her responsibilities weigh more heavily than ever.