The Girls Who Grew Big

Adela Woods, a sixteen-year-old pregnant girl, is sent from her comfortable Indiana home to live with her grandmother in Padua Beach, Florida, where she meets a group of young mothers who support each other through the challenges of teenage motherhood. These girls, often shunned by their community and abandoned by their families, form a makeshift family, raising their children together and dreaming of more despite the harsh realities they face. Leila Mottley’s novel offers an unflinching and lyrical portrayal of young motherhood, friendship, and resilience. Through vivid characterization and authentic dialogue, the story explores themes of love, betrayal, hope, and the paradox of girlhood, providing an explosive new perspective on what it means to grow up female in difficult circumstances. The Girls Who Grew Big is acclaimed for its heart, life, and hope, confirming Mottley’s promise as a remarkable writer.