Christian Teen Fiction Spotlight: Author Cher Gatto

There are very few authors of whom I can say I’ve read every single one of their books. Kasie West comes close, though my enthusiasm for her books cooled a bit with some of her more recent titles. (Check out YA Fiction for Christians: An Honest Look at Kasie West to see why.) So that leaves only one multi-book author that I’ve read thoroughly: Cher Gatto.

Granted, Cher only has three books in print so far. But after eagerly devouring all three multiple times, I now consider myself a rabid fan. If you’re looking for gritty Christian teen fiction that doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff, you’ll want to check out Cher Gatto.

Lauren Thell, author of YA Christian Fiction

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Cher Gatto’s Writing

My interest in Cher Gatto began when I was scouring online bookstores for Christian books for teens. Something I Am Not came up repeatedly and since my library didn’t have a copy, I broke down and bought one.

All good intentions of donating it to the library when I finished vanished within the first few chapters. I was selfishly thrilled to keep it for myself.

Cher Gatto writes “soul-searching stories of what it means to be alive.” (The tagline on her website.) What captured me was her ability to draw the reader into the story from the first page through descriptive prose that’s so vivid, you not only see what’s happening but feel it. And then you find yourself connecting with the main character until your wellbeing is irrevocably intertwined with his and, therefore, can’t put the book down until everything is resolved.

Yeah, reading her books is stressful—in all the good ways.

Other things I love about Cher Gatto’s fiction:

Brilliant twists: For every reader who declares a book has a great twist, there’s another who says she spotted it a mile away. But honestly. Cher’s twists are brilliant because they also twist your heart
Well-developed secondary characters: Billy and Justin aren’t the only ones you’ll relate to. Jersey, Ellie, Pepe, Principal Dan—even Percy Diamond—all come to life in a very real way through Cher’s writing.
A bit of romance: I personally love books that aren’t just about romance. I like romance to be an element of the main story but not the main plot-driver. All three of Cher’s books achieve that.

Christian Books For Teens—and Adults

Cher Gatto writes contemporary Christian teen fiction, with the sequel to Something I Am Not geared more toward the adult market. Be forewarned, these are not cutesy rom-coms. All three books are gritty and powerful, diving deep into heavy themes like abuse, human trafficking, and mental illness. Cher, however, skillfully avoids unnecessary graphic violence and sexual elements. So while I generally recommend these books for readers ages 16 or older, it’s not because of graphic content but mature situations.

See my content warnings for specifics on each book.

Regarding the “Christian” aspect of her writing, redemption is a recurring theme. You’ll find parallels to Bible stories (the story of Joseph in Something I Am Not, and Cain and Abel in Something Else) but the books don’t get heavy with religion. I found the religious elements to be biblically sound, naturally incorporated, and not saturating the story to the point where a reader from the general market couldn’t enjoy it also.

Something I Am Not Series

The two books in the Something I Am Not series follow small-town high school quarterback hopeful Billy McQueen through his tumultuous transition into adulthood after a lifetime of abuse, deception, and betrayal. Billy’s story is gripping, tear-jerking—and not for the faint of heart. You’ll come face-to-face with the dark side of boxing and the underworld of human trafficking.

And you’ll be rooting for Billy the whole way.

What I love about this series:

A venerable protagonist: Despite all that happens to him and around him, Billy is a character of deep integrity. He’s smart, tough, and tender, and by the end, you’ll wish you had a friend or brother (or boyfriend?) like him. Billy’s goodness provides an oasis from the tumult of the story.
A serious, real-life dilemma: This story raises awareness to the fact that girls aren’t the only victims of human trafficking. Globally, one in three of all trafficked children are boys, though the number could be higher because males are less likely to come forth for help. And boys aren’t just sold for slave labor, as you’ll see in Billy’s story.

Note that while book 1 is appropriate for a YA audience, book 2 is best enjoyed by a mature audience. (See my content warning.) Thankfully, book 1 comes with satisfying closure so it is not necessary to read book 2 immediately.

#1: Something I Am Not

Contemporary Christian Teen Fiction

Small town high school quarterback hopeful Billy McQueen works hard to keep his two lives separate. His friends can never know what happens in his father’s boxing club or the apartments upstairs. And at seventeen, he dreams of escaping the abuse and the advances of his father’s girlfriend.

Then, on his eighteenth birthday, he is introduced to a younger brother he never knew and freedom is no longer an option. Now, to save his little brother—next in line for the slave trade—Billy must be willing to give up everything, even his own life.

Religious Themes:

This story tackles questions we all struggle with at some point: Where is God in the midst of horrific suffering and abuse? Why doesn’t he grant immediate deliverance in response to a desperate prayer? How can I reconcile the shame of who I am and what I’ve done with who I know I should be?

Honestly, this is the type of book that makes me question why the market works so hard to keep Christian YA fiction separate from mainstream YA fiction. I didn’t feel like I was reading a religious piece. This is the story of a boy trying to make sense of himself and his world, and it makes sense that he would bring God into the question.

Content Warnings:

Violence: Moderate. Some boxing scenes and physical abuse. Not unnecessarily prolonged or graphic.
Language: No profanity—which is amazing, considering the rough characters in the book. Cher Gatto successfully portrays them without resorting to crude language.
Sex: Moderate. Several scenes include illicit encounters of the human trafficking type but without details. Two situations of adult women attempting to seduce a teenage boy.
Substance abuse: Moderate. Some scenes take place in a barroom, plus several instances of a teen being plied with alcohol.

Recommended reader age: 16+

#2: Something Else

Adult Christian Fiction

Stolen as a child, raised in a barroom, and sold by his illegitimate father, Billy McQueen, now 24, is reunited with his real family, married to his best friend, and works to set others free. But a note from his past sends him spiraling back into the world he fought so hard to escape, and Billy comes face-to-face with not only the evil that put him there but the ever-present darkness inside him.

Religious Themes:

Book 2 dives more deeply into God and religion than book 1. Faith and righteousness are big themes in this story. Billy is a Christian who prays frequently but struggles with believing he could ever be “good enough” for God. The overall theme is redemption and forgiveness.

Content Warnings:

Violence: Moderate. Boxing plus several instances of gun violence.
Language: Mild. Occasional profanity throughout, nothing strong.
Sex: Closed door and nongraphical. Several fade-to-black sex scenes plus multiple illicit encounters.
Substance abuse: Moderate. Multiple occasions of drunkenness and use of illicit drugs (both voluntarily and involuntarily). No underage drinking or drug use.
Other: This story deals heavily with past and present sexual sin (adultery, extramarital affairs) and abuse. Human-trafficking and slavery are also prominent issues. An abortion is mentioned. Brief references to mental illness.

Recommended Reader Age: 18+ (due to mature themes and more implied sexual content)

Regent

Speculative Christian Teen Fiction

Seventeen-year-old Justin has a dangerous gift. He can see someone’s past through his drawings. When he’s arrested for arson and thrown into Regent, a psychiatric boarding school for delinquent teens, the gates are locked behind him. The students, oddly contented. And Justin is convinced after the second week the doctor is messing with his mind.

But when his “new” friend claims to know him and a past he doesn’t remember Justin’s gift to draw the memories of others becomes the only way to reveal the truth. But using his gift to unlock his past might unleash a devastating future.

Though not as widely read as Something I Am Not, Regent is the book that proves Cher Gatto a master storyteller. The intricate and complicated plot offers lots of potential for confusion, yet I was able to follow it all the way through. And, wow. What a story. I felt like I knew the characters personally and my heart broke for them.

Again, this isn’t your typical cute and witty YA novel. This one gets heavy at times but you can look forward to a message of hope and redemption in the end. I love how art was the vehicle for all the discoveries the MC made.

Content Warnings:

Violence: Moderate. Brief instances of child abuse, plus some physical altercations that take place at a mental health inpatient facility.
Language: Mild and brief (mostly “hell”). Also, occasional misuse of God’s name.
Sex: Closed door. The reader doesn’t actually know anything happened until later.
Substance abuse: Moderate. Two brief episodes of underage drinking, plus some medication abuse and addiction.
Other: **Warning for suicide triggers.** Mental illness is a heavy topic, with teen pregnancy a more moderate topic.

Recommended reader age: 16+

Christian Teen Fiction Spotlight: Author Cher Gatto

In This Article

Cher Gatto’s Writing

Christian Books For Teens—and Adults