top of page

The Great Cool Ranch
Dorito in the Sky

2024 National Book

Award Finalist

02_The-Great-Cool-Ranch-Dorito-in-the-Sky_Josh-Galarza_FINALIST-MEDALLION.webp

A Bookshop.org Best YA Book of 2024

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

An American Booksellers Association

Indies Introduce Selection

An American Booksellers Association

Kids Indie Next List Selection

An NECBA

Windows & Mirrors Shortlist Selection

wandm_logo_cropped_edited.png
KNL-RefreshLogo-transparent.png
"Brett’s quirky voice—a mix of self-conscious thoughts, Kid Condor mythology, and bro-isms (“You ready for some nuggs, bruh?”)—tempers this funny yet bruising narrative about one teen’s experience with grief and disordered eating in which debut author Galarza carefully touches on issues surrounding underage drinking, body dysmorphia, and internalized anti-fatness."

Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

About
Paleolithic Ruins Selfie_edited.jpg
Words about Me

Longtime Montessori educator Josh Galarza writes fiction and creative nonfiction, and is a multidisciplinary visual artist specializing in printmaking and book arts. His research centers around male gender performance, queer issues, body liberation, and Chicano studies. His debut novel, The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky (Henry Holt & Company), is a finalist for the 2024 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.

​

Galarza earned his BA in English and BFA in art from the University of Nevada, Reno, where he later taught printmaking. He currently lives in Richmond, VA, where he teaches in the English Department at Virginia Commonwealth University while completing an MFA in creative writing. 

Appearances

IMG_3794_edited.jpg
Shelf Life Books: BrewHOHO 2024

December 8, 2024

Afterglow Coffee Cooperative

Richmond, VA

​

Join us from 1-4 PM for our annual local author holiday event! We’ll be joined by an absolutely incredible group of local authors for an afternoon of book signings, holiday gift shopping, and delicious drinks.​

Contact

Contact Me

Thanks for submitting!

bottom of page