Novelist Michele Serros on Writing 'Chica' Lit Evelina Gomez, a laid-back surfer girl, is the heroine of author Michele Sarros's new young adult novel, Honey Blonde Chica. Evie's teen travails take place in an upscale L.A. suburb.

Novelist Michele Serros on Writing 'Chica' Lit

Novelist Michele Serros on Writing 'Chica' Lit

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Author Michele Serros Marie Gregorio-Oviiedo hide caption

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Marie Gregorio-Oviiedo

Author Michele Serros

Marie Gregorio-Oviiedo

Tales of teenage woe abound in American suburban culture.

But author Michele Serros hones in on life among L.A.'s affluent Mexican-American teen culture in a novel for young adults, Honey Blond Chica. Protagonist Evie Gomez lives in a gated community, thanks to an industrious businessman father and socially conscious mother. She and her best friend Raquel focus on surfing and hanging out, joined by their crew of Flojos -- named for the expensive flip-flops they favor.

Evie's loyalties are tested when old friend Dee Dee returns from Mexico. She is torn between the glitz of Dee Dee's designer clothes and Raquel's more down-to-earth attributes.

Serros tells Debbie Elliott what made her write the book.