Book Review: Borderless by Jennifer DeLeon

Borderless, by Jennifer De Leon is a young adult book that explores life in the writer’s South American homeland of Guatemala. The book follows the day-to-day life of Maya, our main character. Maya, a young woman of seventeen, is an inspiring fashion designer who creates unusual fashion out of the unexpected. Maya uses her talent to make her dreams a reality.

Having come from immigrant parents myself, I felt that I was quickly going to relate to the story. However, I was unprepared for the twists and turns that Maya and her mother experienced. The mix of characters within Maya’s retelling of the book’s events gives the overall story interesting layers. The major points in the story are alluded to, but are only revealed when necessary; leaving the reader wishing to know more.

The school that Maya is attending is a very prestigious design school. Maya is entered into a contest, sponsored by the school, that could change her life forever. To complicate matters, her best friend doesn’t make it into the contest. She then meets a boy, and though this should be an exciting time for Maya, it is anything but that. So much happens in this story in such a short span of time, that the reader is left wondering what comes next with each turn of a page. Borderless will have you running alongside Maya and her mother, both whom are just trying to find a home away from gang violence in Guatemala.

“Those who read “Borderless” will find solace and create an intimate connection to Maya and her journey. ”

De Leon has Maya and her supporting characters share some very authentic moments, which build the story up to its climatic events. The reader watches Maya’s life turn upside down. She is no longer able to hide behind her youth or naïveté and is forced to grow up quickly. From her first crush, to her first kiss, and ultimately, her first time witnessing a murder. We see Maya flee from her home with nothing but the clothes on her back, and cross the Rio Grande, which leads her to a detention center and finally to the realization that there are many challenges that she will have to overcome.

As I read Borderless, I started to understand why so many people seek asylum in the United States. The events of the book, at times, only give us a glimpse of the treatment that many people experience when entering the U.S.; enduring dehumanizing situations. These scenes are heart-wrenching. They heavily resemble events that are taking place in today's world; events that are not receiving the attention that they deserve in the media.

Those who read Borderless will find solace and create an intimate connection to Maya and her journey.

---

Jennifer De Leon is an author, editor, speaker, and creative writing professor who lives outside of Boston. She is the editor of Wise Latinas: Writers on Higher Education, the 2015-2016 Writer-in-Residence at the Boston Public Library, and a 2016-2017 City of Boston Artist-in-Residence. She is also the second recipient of the We Need Diverse Books grant. She is the author of Don't Ask Me Where I'm From and Borderless.

Angela “Angie” Ybarra is a senior student enrolled in the Nontraditional Degree Program (NDP) at Northeastern Illinois University. She hopes to work as a grant writer to assist local nonprofit organizations that address the issues of gentrification within Chicago's NorthWest side and help them find funding for their work. Angie loves to give her audience the opportunity to formulate their own views by presenting the facts or points of interest with the hope to move her audience into action.

“Journalism is what maintains democracy. It’s the force for progressive social change.” —Andrew Vachss, Author

Review: Solito by Javier Zamora

The promise of family is what sustains a then-nine-year-old Javier Zamora on his journey to La USA from a village in El Salvador, that same promise is what gives fruition to his memoir Solito. Despite its title, Solito is just one story out of the hundreds of thousands of children from Central America that make the journey to the United States without family, but whose first-hand accounts go largely unheard of. Commonly referred to as “unaccompanied minors” by media coverage and political pundits, the poet challenges this very notion and forces you to move past the legalistic term through impeccable detail, rendering the grueling 3,000-mile journey in the most visceral of emotions. 

The book begins with Zamora yearning to finally go on this “trip” he has been hearing about, one his father and mother made years ago due to the ongoing effects of the Salvadoran Civil War and one he must make to reunite with them. What was expected to take two short weeks turns into nine weeks of life-altering events, a coming-of-age for Javier. He faces the wide open sea for the first time, experiences different cultures that he must take on in order to keep moving north, goes on tiresome desert treks, and encounters border patrol. His detailed descriptions and observations are both honest and zany, the roots of a young writer begin to show: his personification and naming of cacti, his meticulous reporting of dates and events, and his attention to the smells and textures associated with his time in the desert are all notable. 

Solito, while a book immediately about migration, is an ode to the family he found in the strangers that accompanied him, Chino, Patricia, and Carla. They become his family for the sake of travel, but the tenderness and care they show was not all what Javier expects. He extends this

sentiment for other strangers, those who are left behind and even to those whose character is questionable. This journey, as expected, is not without obstacle, but surprisingly, not without love. As they move closer and closer to the U.S., an impending sense of loss infuses the last few chapters. 

And we are not given relief. We are not to revel in a nine year old boy’s reunion with his parents. Perhaps, it is just as well—this book is not for us, but for Zamora’s nine year old self, for the solitos and solitas to fill in the blanks with their own stories. Whether it was an awkward hug, leaping into family members’ arms, we are not privy to it, nor should we expect it. 

Solito is not just a story of the desire to reunite with family, but of how to reunite with his family he must say goodbye to his beloved home in El Salvador, his extended family, and must eventually part ways from Chino, Patricia, and Carla─his surrogate family. It is a must-read, letting us in on the reality of migration. It’s a story that has no desire to contribute to the countless books and articles of trauma-laden migration narratives, the “prequel” to the myth of the American Dream.

---

Javier Zamora was born in El Salvador in 1990. His father fled the country when he was one, and his mother when he was about to turn five. Both parents’ migrations were caused by the U.S.-funded Salvadoran Civil War. When he was nine Javier migrated through Guatemala, Mexico, and the Sonoran Desert. His debut poetry collection, Unaccompanied, explores the impact of the war and immigration on his family. Zamora has been a Stegner Fellow at Stanford and a Radcliffe Fellow at Harvard and holds fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation.

Allison Argueta-Claros is an undergraduate student at New York University. She is studying an individualized major centered on immigration narratives through policy, literature, and journalism with a minor in Creative writing. She spends her time writing, reading, and making playlists.

Review: Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa by Julian Randall

Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa is about Pilar Ramirez, a spunky 12-year-old Dominicana from Chicago. She is an aspiring documentary filmmaker working on a project about the disappearances under a Dominican dictator. Specifically, to uncover the mysterious disappearance of her mother’s cousin, Natasha. When she hears of a professor who studies these disappearances, Pilar wastes no time. Upon entering the office and rummaging through files, she falls into a blank page and enters the magical island of Zafa. Pilar teams up with ciguapas and galipotes in their fight against the Dominican boogeyman, El Cuco, to free those who are trapped in prison – including Natasha.

Found Family is a very common fantasy trope and Randall perfectly executes it. With Pilar and the citizens of Zafa all teaming up for this life-changing event that is causing them such grief, it ultimately brings them together like a family. Pilar and one of the ciguapas begin to form a sisterly bond while she views the galipotes as matriarchs. Even an elusive and legendary Bruja grows a bond with Pilar, especially with their sarcastic quips. The people of Zafa all welcome the 12-year-old to visit them and view her as one of their own merely hours and days of knowing her. Their shared experience bonded them together and, ultimately, gave them the power to defeat El Cuco. Well, that and if you take in Pilar’s badass fighting and secret witch powers into account.

Loss and grief are prominent themes throughout the novel. Something I took from the novel was that even if you’re human or a magical or mythical creature, these emotions can take quite a toll on you. However, everyone’s hope that they will emerge victorious in this war is just as strong. Pilar has experienced loss in many forms and every adult and child in Zafa has had to pay a heavy price in the form of losing someone they love or their own livelihood. They have more in common than they think and this similarity is what bands them together to become stronger and come out victorious in this vicious war.

“Randall intended for the novel to be written . . . with the intention to feel represented by a voice and to further uncover what it means to be Dominican. ”

While reading about Pilar swinging through vines and learning how to harness her witch powers, it was heartwarming to hear how Randall intended for the novel to be written. It was with the intention to feel represented by a voice and to further uncover what it means to be Dominican. Also, Pilar’s story doesn’t end here as Pilar Ramirez and the Curse of San Zenon will be released in February 2023. 

---

Julian Randall is a Living Queer Black poet from Chicago. Since receiving his MFA in poetry from Ole Miss, Julian’s essays have been featured in The Atlantic, Vibe Magazine, Los Angeles Review of Books, and many more. His writings have led him to receive multiple recognitions and fellowships from Cave Canem, CantoMundo, Callaloo, BOAAT, and the Watering Hole. Refuse: Poems was his 2018 debut poetry book back; and as of March 2022, he released a debut children’s novel. Randall has shown time and time again that his recent works are only scratching the surface of his dynamic novels that are to come.

Melissa Gonzalez (she/her) is a UCLA graduate with a major in American Literature & Culture and a minor in Chicana/o & Central American Studies. She loves boba, horror movies, and reading. You can spot her in the fiction, horror/mystery/thriller, and young adult sections of bookstores. Though she is short, she feels as tall as her TBR pile. You can find Melissa on her book Instagram: @floralchapters

March 2021 Latinx Releases

March 2, 2021

BROTHER, SISTER, MOTHER, EXPLORER | Fiction

by Jamie Figueroa (Catapult)

In the tourist town of Ciudad de Tres Hermanas, in the aftermath of their mother's passing, two siblings spend a final weekend together in their childhood home. Seeing her brother, Rafa, careening toward a place of no return, Rufina devises a bet: if they can make enough money performing for privileged tourists in the plaza over the course of the weekend to afford a plane ticket out, Rafa must commit to living. If not, Rufina will make her peace with Rafa's own plan for the future, however terrifying it may be.

As the siblings reckon with generational and ancestral trauma, set against the indignities of present-day prejudice, other strange hauntings begin to stalk these pages: their mother's ghost kicks her heels against the walls; Rufina's vanished child creeps into her arms at night; and above all this, watching over the siblings, a genderless, flea-bitten angel remains hell-bent on saving what can be saved.

DECODING “DESPACITO”: AN ORAL HISTORY OF LATIN MUSIC | Nonfiction

by Leila Cobo (Vintage)

Decoding “Despacito” tracks the stories behind the biggest Latin hits of the past fifty years. From the salsa born and bred in the streets of New York City, to Puerto Rican reggaetón and bilingual chart-toppers, this rich oral history is a veritable treasure trove of never-before heard anecdotes and insight from a who’s who of Latin music artists, executives, observers, and players. Their stories, told in their own words, take you inside the hits, to the inner sanctum of the creative minds behind the tracks that have defined eras and become hallmarks of history.

DEFINITELY DOMINGUITA: KNIGHT OF THE CAPE | Middle Grade

by Terry Catasus Jennings; Illustrated by Fatima Anaya (Aladdin)

All Dominguita wants to do is read. Especially the books in Spanish that Abuela gave to her just before she moved away. They were classics that Abuela and Dominguita read together, classics her abuela brought with her all the way from Cuba when she was a young girl. It helps Dominguita feel like Abuela’s still there with her.

One of her favorites, Don Quixote, tells of a brave knight errant who tries to do good deeds. Dominguita decides that she, too, will become a knight and do good deeds around her community, creating a grand adventure for her to share with her abuela. And when the class bully tells Dominguita that girls can’t be knights, Dom is determined to prove him wrong. With a team of new friends, can Dominguita learn how to be the hero of her own story?

DEFINITELY DOMINGUITA: CAPTAIN DOM’S TREASURE | Middle Grade

by Terry Catasus Jennings; Illustrated by Fatima Anaya (Scholastic)

When Dominguita finds an old map in the back of an even older book in her beloved library, she is excited to see a telltale X marking an unknown place. Everyone knows that X marks the spot for treasure—and Dom knows that means a new adventure for her, Pancho, and Steph!

But everyone seems to think that the map, while fun, probably isn’t real. Dom is determined to prove them wrong. And as the trio starts to uncover the mystery of the map, they realize that it has closer ties to the community they love than they could have imagined.

INFINITE COUNTRY | Fiction

by Patricia Engel (Avid Reader Press)

Talia is being held at a correctional facility for adolescent girls in the forested mountains of Colombia after committing an impulsive act of violence that may or may not have been warranted. She urgently needs to get out and get back home to Bogotá, where her father and a plane ticket to the United States are waiting for her. If she misses her flight, she might also miss her chance to finally be reunited with her family in the north.

How this family came to occupy two different countries, two different worlds, comes into focus like twists of a kaleidoscope. We see Talia's parents, Mauro and Elena, fall in love in a market stall as teenagers against a backdrop of civil war and social unrest. We see them leave Bogotá with their firstborn, Karina, in pursuit of safety and opportunity in the United States on a temporary visa, and we see the births of two more children, Nando and Talia, on American soil. We witness the decisions and indecisions that lead to Mauro's deportation and the family's splintering--the costs they've all been living with ever since.

INFINITY REAPER | Young Adult

by Adam Silvera (Quill Tree Books)

Emil and Brighton defied the odds. They beat the Blood Casters and escaped with their lives – or so they thought. When Brighton drank the Reaper's Blood, he believed it would make him invincible, but instead the potion is killing him.

In Emil's race to find an antidote that will not only save his brother but also rid him of his own unwanted phoenix powers, he will have to dig deep into the very past lives he's trying to outrun. Though he needs the help of the Spell Walkers now more than ever, their ranks are fracturing, with Maribelle'sthirst for revenge sending her down a dangerous path.

Meanwhile, Ness is being abused by Senator Iron for political gain, his rare shifting ability making him a dangerous weapon. As much as Ness longs to send Emil a signal, he knows the best way to keep Emil safe from his corrupt father is to keep him at a distance.

The battle for peace is playing out like an intricate game of chess, and as the pieces on the board move into place, Emil starts to realise that he may have been competing against the wrong enemy all along . . .

ONCE UPON A QUINCEAÑERA | Young Adult

by Monica Gomez-Hira (Harper Teen)

Carmen Aguilar just wants to make her happily ever after come true. Except apparently “happily ever after” for Carmen involves being stuck in an unpaid summer internship. Now she has to perform as a party princess! In a ball gown. During the summer. In Miami.

Fine. Except that’s only the first misfortune in what’s turning out to a summer of Utter Disaster. 

But if Carmen can manage dancing in the blistering heat, fending off an oh-so-unfortunately attractive ex, and stopping her spoiled cousin from ruining her own quinceañera—Carmen might just get that happily ever after—after all.

STARTING OVER IN SUNSET PARK | Picture Book

by José Pelaez & Lynn McGee; Illustrated by Bianca Diaz (Tilbury House)

Jessica and her mom, Camila, must live in their cousins’ crowded apartment until Camila finds work making holiday decorations and they can afford their own place. Isolated on the playground and baffled in class, unable to understand her teacher’s instructions, Jessica is intensely homesick. But little by little, things get better. She begins to learn English, and she loves the cats she and her mom care for to earn extra money. Left behind by traveling owners, the cats make the best of their situation, inspiring Jessica to do the same.

WHAT’S MINE AND YOURS | Fiction

by Naima Coster (Grand Central Publishing)

When a county initiative in the Piedmont of North Carolina forces the students at a mostly black public school on the east side to move across town to a nearly all-white high school on the west, the community rises in outrage. For two students, quiet and aloof Gee and headstrong Noelle, these divisions will extend far beyond their schooling. As their paths collide and overlap over the course of thirty years, their two seemingly disconnected families begin to form deeply knotted, messy ties that shape the trajectory of their lives.

On one side of the school integration debate is Jade, Gee's steely, single, black mother, grieving for her murdered partner, and determined for her son to have the best chance at a better life. On the other, is Noelle's enterprising mother, Lacey May, who refuses to see her half-Latina daughters as anything but white. The choices these mothers make will resound for years to come. And twenty years later, when Lacey's daughters return home to visit her in hospital, they're forced to confront the ways their parents' decisions continue to affect the life they live and the people they love.

THE SOUL OF A WOMAN | Nonfiction

by Isabel Allende (Ballantine)

As a young woman coming of age in the late 1960s, she rode the second wave of feminism. Among a tribe of like-minded female journalists, Allende for the first time felt comfortable in her own skin, as they wrote “with a knife between our teeth” about women’s issues. She has seen what the movement has accomplished in the course of her lifetime. And over the course of three passionate marriages, she has learned how to grow as a woman while having a partner, when to step away, and the rewards of embracing one’s sexuality.

So what feeds the soul of feminists—and all women—today? To be safe, to be valued, to live in peace, to have their own resources, to be connected, to have control over our bodies and lives, and above all, to be loved. On all these fronts, there is much work yet to be done, and this book, Allende hopes, will “light the torches of our daughters and granddaughters with mine. They will have to live for us, as we lived for our mothers, and carry on with the work still left to be finished.”

March 9, 2021

I’LL MEET YOU IN YOUR DREAMS | Picture Book

by Jessica Young; Illustrated by Rafael López (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)

This poetic and tender story celebrates the parent-and-child bond in its many forms and offers gentle assurance of love across a lifetime. Two parents' dreams of the future with their children—from early dependence for nourishment and basic needs, to the parent as home base for a child in later life—mirror an always-changing but unbreakable relationship.

THE RAMBLE SHAMBLE CHILDREN | Picture Book

by Christina Soontornvat; Illustrated by Lauren Castillo (Nancy Paulsen)

Merra, Locky, Roozle, Finn, and little Jory love their ramble shamble house. It's a lot of work taking care of the garden, the chickens, and themselves, but they all pitch in to make it easier--even Jory, who looks after the mud puddles. When they come across a picture of a "proper" house in a book, they start wondering if their own home is good enough. So they get to work "propering up" the garden, the chickens, and even the mud puddles. But the results aren't exactly what they expected, and when their now-proper household's youngest member goes missing, they realize that their ramble shamble home might be just right for their family, after all.

March 16, 2021

COQUÍ IN THE CITY | Picture Book

by Nomar Perez (Dial Books)

Miguel's pet frog, Coquí, is always with him: as he greets his neighbors in San Juan, buys quesitos from the panadería, and listens to his abuelo's story about meeting baseball legend Roberto Clemente. Then Miguel learns that he and his parents are moving to the U.S. mainland, which means leaving his beloved grandparents, home in Puerto Rico, and even Coquí behind. Life in New York City is overwhelming, with unfamiliar buildings, foods, and people. But when he and Mamá go exploring, they find a few familiar sights that remind them of home, and Miguel realizes there might be a way to keep a little bit of Puerto Rico with him--including the love he has for Coquí--wherever he goes.

THE MIRROR SEASON | Young Adult

by Anna-Marie McLemore (Feiwel & Friends)

When two teens discover that they were both sexually assaulted at the same party, they develop a cautious friendship through her family’s possibly-magical pastelería, his secret forest of otherworldly trees, and the swallows returning to their hometown, in Anna-Marie McLemore's The Mirror Season...

Graciela Cristales’ whole world changes after she and a boy she barely knows are assaulted at the same party. She loses her gift for making enchanted pan dulce. Neighborhood trees vanish overnight, while mirrored glass appears, bringing reckless magic with it. And Ciela is haunted by what happened to her, and what happened to the boy whose name she never learned.

But when the boy, Lock, shows up at Ciela’s school, he has no memory of that night, and no clue that a single piece of mirrored glass is taking his life apart. Ciela decides to help him, which means hiding the truth about that night. Because Ciela knows who assaulted her, and him. And she knows that her survival, and his, depend on no one finding out what really happened.

SI YO PUDE…¡TÚ MÁS! | Nonfiction

by Maria Antonieta Collins (Vintage Español)

María Antonieta Collins perdió seis tallas y más de 40 kilos gracias a una cirugía bariátrica y a un cambio radical en sus hábitos alimenticios por una vida más sana, ligera y feliz. Era pre-diabética, tomaba dos pastillas al día para la presión, una para el colesterol, y usaba la máquina de apnea del sueño y una aspirina diaria para prevenir los infartos. Mientras vivía el mejor momento de su carrera, disfrutando de los ratings más altos y viajando como corresponsal de noticias, María Antonieta Collins decidió cambiar radicalmente su vida y aprovechar nuevas oportunidades para convertirse en una mejor versión de sí misma.

Si yo pude…¡tú más! responde a las preguntas que millones de admiradores han planteado a María Antonieta sobre su asombrosa transformación, y será una fuente de inspiración para los lectores que estén en situaciones similares o cualquiera que desee cambiar su vida. María Antonieta comparte abiertamente su camino al éxito de manera fácil, informativa y entretenida, con la colaboración de su hija Antonieta y de los especialistas que la ayudaron a recorrer este camino de transformación. Los lectores reconocerán que todo tiene un lado positivo, y que renunciar a la esperanza nunca es una opción.

SPARK | Picture Book

by Ani Castillo (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)

Beginning with the birth of a baby, the story takes the reader on a journey through life, navigates the ups and downs, and culminates in a deeply satisfying sense of the wonder and awe in being human.

March 22, 2021

FLOWER GRAND FIRST | Poetry

by Gustavo Hernandez (Moon Tide Press)

Flower Grand First, moves through the complex roads of immigration, sexuality, and loss. These poems are points plotted on maps both physical and emotional—the rural landscapes of Jalisco, the glimmering plains of memory, the busy cities of California, and the circular paths of grief. Hernandez’s stunning elegies float along a timeline spanning three decades, honoring family, recording a personal history, and revealing a vulnerable but resilient voice preoccupied with time, place, and what is left behind out of necessity.

March 23, 2021

THE IMMORTAL BOY | Young Adult

by Francisco Montaña Ibañez (Levine Querido)

Two intertwining stories of Bogotá.

One, a family of five children, left to live on their own.

The other, a girl in an orphanage who will do anything to befriend the mysterious Immortal Boy.

How they weave together will never leave you.

LOST IN THE NEVER WOODS | Young Adult

by Aiden Thomas (Swoon Reads)

It's been five years since Wendy and her two brothers went missing in the woods, but when the town’s children start to disappear, the questions surrounding her brothers’ mysterious circumstances are brought back into light. Attempting to flee her past, Wendy almost runs over an unconscious boy lying in the middle of the road, and gets pulled into the mystery haunting the town.

Peter, a boy she thought lived only in her stories, claims that if they don't do something, the missing children will meet the same fate as her brothers. In order to find them and rescue the missing kids, Wendy must confront what's waiting for her in the woods.

SULPHURTONGUE | Poetry

by Rebecca Salazar (McClelland & Stewart)

The poems in sulphurtongue ask how to redefine desire and kinship across languages, and across polluted environments. An immigrant family scatters over a stolen continent. Oracles appear in public transit, and online. Bodies are transformed by nearby nickel mines. Doppelgangers, Catholic saints, and polyamorists alike pass on unusual inheritances. Deeply entangled in relations both emotional and ecological, this collection confronts the stories we tell about gender, queerness, race, religion, illness, and trauma, seeking new forms of care for a changing world.

YOUR HEART, MY SKY | Young Adult

by Margarita Engle (Atheneum Books for Young Readers)

The people of Cuba are living in el período especial en tiempos de paz—the special period in times of peace. That’s what the government insists that this era must be called, but the reality behind these words is starvation.

Liana is struggling to find enough to eat. Yet hunger has also made her brave: she finds the courage to skip a summer of so-called volunteer farm labor, even though she risks government retribution. Nearby, a quiet, handsome boy named Amado also refuses to comply, so he wanders alone, trying to discover rare sources of food.

A chance encounter with an enigmatic dog brings Liana and Amado together. United in hope and hunger, they soon discover that their feelings for each other run deep. Love can feed their souls and hearts—but is it enough to withstand el período especial?

March 30, 2021

MY DAY WITH THE PANYE | Picture Book

by Tami Charles; Illustrated by Sara Palacios (Candlewick Press)

In the hills above Port-au-Prince, a young girl named Fallon wants more than anything to carry a large woven basket to the market, just like her Manman. As she watches her mother wrap her hair in a mouchwa, Fallon tries to twist her own braids into a scarf and balance the empty panye atop her head, but realizes it’s much harder than she thought. BOOM! Is she ready after all? Lyrical and inspiring, with vibrant illustrations highlighting the beauty of Haiti, My Day with the Panye is a story of family legacy, cultural tradition, and hope for the future. Readers who are curious about the art of carrying a panye will find more about this ancient and global practice in an author’s note at the end.

THE HAZARDS OF LOVE | Graphic Novel

by Stan Stanley (Oni Press)

The Hazards of Love follows the story of a queer teen from Queens who makes some mistakes, gets dragged into a fantastical place, and tries to hustle their way back home.

Amparo's deal with the talking cat was simple: a drop of blood and Amparo's name to become a better person. Their mother and abuela would never worry about them again, and they'd finally be worthy of dating straight-A student Iolanthe. But when the cat steals their body, becoming the better person they were promised, Amparo's spirit is imprisoned in a land of terrifying, flesh-hungry creatures known as Bright World.

With cruel and manipulative masters and a society that feeds on memories, Amparo must use their cleverness to escape, without turning into a monster like the rest. On "the other side," Iolanthe begins to suspect the new Amparo has a secret, and after the cat in disguise vanishes, she's left searching for answers with a no-nonsense medium from the lesbian mafia and the only person who might know the truth about Bright World.

OF WOMEN AND SALT | Fiction

by Gabriela Garcia (Flatiron Books)

In present-day Miami, Jeanette is battling addiction. Daughter of Carmen, a Cuban immigrant, she is determined to learn more about her family history from her reticent mother and makes the snap decision to take in the daughter of a neighbor detained by ICE. Carmen, still wrestling with the trauma of displacement, must process her difficult relationship with her own mother while trying to raise a wayward Jeanette. Steadfast in her quest for understanding, Jeanette travels to Cuba to see her grandmother and reckon with secrets from the past destined to erupt.

ZONIA’S RAIN FOREST | Picture Books

by Juana Martínez-Neal (Candlewick)

Zonia’s home is the Amazon rain forest, where it is always green and full of life. Every morning, the rain forest calls to Zonia, and every morning, she answers. She visits the sloth family, greets the giant anteater, and runs with the speedy jaguar. But one morning, the rain forest calls to her in a troubled voice. How will Zonia answer?

February 2021 Latinx Releases

February 1, 2021

THE GREATEST SUPERPOWER | Middle Grade

by Alex Sanchez (Capstone)

It’s the summer before high school, and thirteen-year-old Jorge Fuerte wants nothing more than to spend his days hanging out with his fellow comic-book-obsessed friends. But then everything changes. His parents announce they’re divorcing for a reason Jorge and his twin brother, Cesar, never saw coming—their larger-than-life dad comes out as transgender. Jorge struggles to understand the father he’s always admired, but Cesar refuses to have anything to do with him. As Jorge tries to find a way to stay true to the father he loves, a new girl moves into the neighborhood: cool, confident, quirky Zoey. She tames Jorge’s unruly terrier and enlists the terrier and Jorge in a dance routine for the back-to-school talent show. As the date of the show draws near, Jorge must face his fears and choose between being loyal to his brother or truthful about his family’s secret. Although he’s no superhero, Jorge already has the world’s greatest superpower—if he decides to use it.

February 2, 2021

COUGAR CROSSING | Picture Book

by Meeg Pincus; Illus. by Alexander Vidal (Little, Brown for Young Readers)

P-22, the famed “Hollywood Cougar,” was born in a national park near Los Angeles, California. When it was time for him to leave home and stake a claim to his own territory, he embarked on a perilous journey—somehow crossing sixteen lanes of the world’s worst traffic—to make his home in LA’s Griffith Park, overlooking the famed Hollywood sign. But Griffith Park is a tiny territory for a mountain lion, and P-22’s life has been filled with struggles.

Residents of Los Angeles have embraced this brave cougar as their own and, along with the scientists monitoring P-22, raised money to build a wildlife bridge across Highway 101 to help cougars and other wildlife safely expand their territories and build new homes—ensuring their survival for years to come.

FAT CHANCE, CHARLIE VEGA | Young Adult

by Crystal Maldonado (Holiday House)

Charlie Vega is a lot of things. Smart. Funny. Artistic. Ambitious. Fat.

People sometimes have a problem with that last one. Especially her mom. Charlie wants a good relationship with her body, but it's hard, and her mom leaving a billion weight loss shakes on her dresser doesn't help. The world and everyone in it have ideas about what she should look like: thinner, lighter, slimmer-faced, straighter-haired. Be smaller. Be whiter. Be quieter.

But there's one person who's always in Charlie's corner: her best friend Amelia. Slim. Popular. Athletic. Totally dope. So when Charlie starts a tentative relationship with cute classmate Brian, the first worthwhile guy to notice her, everything is perfect until she learns one thing--he asked Amelia out first. So is she his second choice or what? Does he even really see her?

Because it's time people did.

A sensitive, funny, and painful coming-of-age story with a wry voice and tons of chisme, Fat Chance, Charlie Vega tackles our relationships to our parents, our bodies, our cultures, and ourselves.

FLOOD CITY | Middle Grade

by Daniel José Older (Scholastic)

Welcome to Flood City, the last inhabitable place left above the waters that cover Earth. It's also the last battleground between the Chemical Barons, who once ruled the planet and now circle overhead in spaceships, desperate to return, and the Star Guard, who have controlled the city for decades.

Born and raised in Flood City, Max doesn't care about being part of either group. All he wants is to play his music with the city band, keep his sister from joining the Star Guard, and be noticed by his crush, the awesome drummer Djinna.

Meanwhile, Ato, a young Chemical Baron, has joined his crew for what was supposed to be a routine surveillance mission, only things go from bad to worse between unexplained iguanagull attacks and the discovery of deadly schemes. Ato's just trying to stay safe, keep his twin brother alive, and not hurt anyone. So when his commander prepares to wipe out Flood City completely, Ato must decide how far he'll go.

As Max's and Ato's paths collide, it changes everything. Because they might be able to stop a coming war. But can two enemies work together to save Earth?

MUTED | Young Adult

by Tami Charles (Scholastic)

For seventeen-year-old Denver, music is everything. Writing, performing, and her ultimate goal: escaping her very small, very white hometown.

So Denver is more than ready on the day she and her best friends Dali and Shak sing their way into the orbit of the biggest R&B star in the world, Sean "Mercury" Ellis. Merc gives them everything: parties, perks, wild nights — plus hours and hours in the recording studio. Even the painful sacrifices and the lies the girls have to tell are all worth it.

Until they're not.

Denver begins to realize that she's trapped in Merc's world, struggling to hold on to her own voice. As the dream turns into a nightmare, she must make a choice: lose her big break, or get broken.

Inspired by true events, Muted is a fearless exploration of the dark side of the music industry, the business of exploitation, how a girl's dreams can be used against her — and what it takes to fight back.

THE YEAR I FLEW AWAY | Middle Grade

by Marie Arnold (Versify)

It’s 1985 and ten-year-old Gabrielle is excited to be moving from Haiti to America. Unfortunately, her parents won’t be able to join her yet and she’ll be living in a place called Brooklyn, New York, with relatives she has never met. She promises her parents that she will behave, but life proves to be difficult in the United States, from learning the language to always feeling like she doesn’t fit in to being bullied. So when a witch offers her a chance to speak English perfectly and be “American,” she makes the deal. But soon she realizes how much she has given up by trying to fit in and, along with her two new friends (one of them a talking rat), takes on the witch in an epic battle to try to reverse the spell.

February 16, 2021

WHERE WONDER GROWS | Picture Book

by Xelena González; Illus. by Adriana M. Garcia (Cinco Puntos Press)

Grandma knows that there is wondrous knowledge to be found everywhere you can think to look. She takes her girls to their special garden, and asks them to look over their collection of rocks, crystals, seashells, and meteorites to see what marvels they have to show. “They were here long before us and know so much more about our world than we ever will,” Grandma says. So they are called grandfathers. By taking a close look with an open mind, they see the strength of rocks shaped by volcanoes, the cleansing power of beautiful crystals, the oceans that housed their shells and shapes its environment, and the long journey meteorites took to find their way to them. Gathered together, Grandma and the girls let their surroundings spark their imaginations.

February 23, 2021

LATINITAS: CELEBRATING 40 BIG DREAMERS | Middle Grade

by Julie Menéndez (Holt Books for Young Readers)

Discover how 40 influential Latinas became the women we celebrate today! In this collection of short biographies from all over Latin America and across the United States, Juliet Menéndez explores the first small steps that set the Latinitas off on their journeys. With gorgeous, hand-painted illustrations, Menéndez shines a spotlight on the power of childhood dreams.

THE SEA-RINGED WORLD: SACRED STORIES OF THE AMERICAS | Middle Grade

by María García Esperón; Illus. by Amanda Mijangos (Levine Querido)

Fifteen thousand years before Europeans stepped foot in the Americas, people had already spread from tip to tip and coast to coast. Like all humans, these Native Americans sought to understand their place in the universe, the nature of their relationship with the divine, and the origin of the world into which their ancestors had emerged.

The answers lay in their sacred stories.

Author María García Esperón, illustrator Amanda Mijangos, and translator David Bowles have gifted us a treasure. Their talents have woven this collection of stories from nations and cultures across our two continents—the Sea-Ringed World, as the Aztecs called it—from the edge of Argentina all the way up to Alaska.

THERE GOES PATTI MCGEE! | Picture Book

by Tootie Nienow; Illus. by Erika Medina (FSG Books for Young Readers)

Brought to life by Erika Medina's dynamic and joyful illustrations, There Goes Patti McGee! walks us through Patti first place win in the women's division of the 1964 National Skateboard Championship. She wowed the judges with with what would become her signature move--the rolling handstand. Inspiring and unapologetic, Patti McGee proves that anyone can skate.

THRIVING IN THE FIGHT | Nonfiction

by Denise Padín Collazo (Berrett-Koehler Publishers)

Social justice work is more crucial than ever, but it can be physically and emotionally draining. Longtime activist Denise Collazo offers three keys to help Hispanic women keep their focus, morale, and energy high.

Doing the work of social change is hard. Waking up every day to take on the biggest challenges of our time can be overwhelming, and sometimes progress is hard to see. She understands that Latina and all women of color activists do their best work when they are thriving, not simply surviving.

Denise Padín Collazo has been there. She is the first Latina, the first woman of color, and the first woman period to raise a family and stay in the work of community organizing at Faith in Action, an international progressive network of 3,000 congregations and 2 million members. Drawing on her own experiences of triumph and failure, and those of other Latina activists, Collazo lays out three keys to thriving in the movement for social change: leading into your vision, living into the fullest version of yourself, and loving past negatives that hold you back. She also warns about the three signs that you may be surrendering: wishing for a future reality to emerge, wondering where your limits are, and waiting for permission and answers to come from others.

Using this framework, Collazo offers wise and compassionate advice on some of the most important leadership challenges facing Latina activists. She explains how you can integrate family and work, step out of the background and claim your leadership potential, confront anti-Blackness in your own culture, keep focused on your ultimate purpose, and raise the necessary resources to keep fighting for justice. This honest, practical, and inspirational book will help Latina activists to burn bright, not burn out.

January 2021 Latinx Releases

January 5, 2021

THE ANTI-RACIST WRITING WORKSHOP: HOW TO DECOLONIZE THE CREATIVE CLASSROOM | Nonfiction

by Felicia Rose Chavez (Haymarket Books)

The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop is a call to create healthy, sustainable, and empowering classroom communities. Award-winning educator Felicia Rose Chavez exposes the invisible politics of power and privilege that have silenced writers of color for far too long. It’s more urgent than ever that we consciously work against traditions of dominance in the classroom, but what specific actions can we take to achieve authentically inclusive communities?

GOLDIE VANCE: THE HOCUS-POCUS HOAX | Middle Grade

by Lilliam Rivera (Little, Brown for Young Readers)

Marigold "Goldie" Vance lives and works at the Crossed Palms Resort Hotel in Florida with a whole slew of characters: her dad, Art, the manager of the joint; Cheryl Lebeaux, the concierge and Goldie's best friend; and Walter Tooey, the hired hotel detective. Her mom, Sylvie, works nearby at the Mermaid Club.

Prepare to be amazed by Goldie's second middle-grade adventure! The Crossed Palms is hosting the first ever League of Magical Arts Convention, bringing the world's most renowned and emerging magicians to the resort, including an overeager part-time magician and detective named Derek Von Thurston. When some of the magic starts to go awry, Goldie -- and Derek -- are on the case! Can Goldie uncover the saboteur before the final act goes live?

ONE OF THE GOOD ONES | Young Adult

by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite (Inkyard Press)

When teen social activist and history buff Kezi Smith is killed under mysterious circumstances after attending a social justice rally, her devastated sister Happi and their family are left reeling in the aftermath. As Kezi becomes another immortalized victim in the fight against police brutality, Happi begins to question the idealized way her sister is remembered. Perfect. Angelic.

One of the good ones.

Even as the phrase rings wrong in her mind—why are only certain people deemed worthy to be missed?—Happi and her sister Genny embark on a journey to honor Kezi in their own way, using an heirloom copy of The Negro Motorist Green Book as their guide. But there’s a twist to Kezi’s story that no one could’ve ever expected—one that will change everything all over again.

SHAKING UP THE HOUSE | Middle Grade

by Yamile Saied Méndez (HarperCollins)

Ingrid and Winnie López have lived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for eight years, but their friends Skylar and Zora Williams—the new first daughters—are about to move into the White House with their mom, the president-elect. What the Williamses don’t know is that incoming presidents’ families are often pranked by the folks they’re replacing, and Ingrid and Winnie take that tradition very seriously.

But when the four girls get wrapped up in an ever-escalating exchange of practical jokes and things spiral out of control, can they avoid an international incident? Or will their battle go down in American history and ruin their friendship forever?

A SLED FOR GABO | Picture Book

by Emma Otheguy; Illus. by Ana Ramírez González (Atheneum Books for Young Readers)

On the day it snows, Gabo sees kids tugging sleds up the hill, then coasting down, whooping all the while. Gabo wishes he could join them, but his hat is too small, and he doesn’t have boots or a sled.

But he does have warm and welcoming neighbors in his new town who help him solve the problem in the sweetest way possible!

STELLA’S STELLAR HAIR | Picture Book

by Yesenia Moises (Imprint)

It’s the day of the Big Star Little Gala, and Stella's hair just isn't acting right! What’s a girl to do?

Simple! Just hop on her hoverboard, visit each of her fabulous aunties across the solar system, and find the perfect hairdo along the way.

Stella’s Stellar Hair celebrates the joy of self-empowerment, shows off our solar system, and beautifully illustrates a variety of hairstyles from the African diaspora. Backmatter provides more information about each style and each planet.

IT’S ALL LOVE | Nonfiction

by Jenna Ortega (Random House Books for Young Readers)

This collection from actress Jenna Ortega is filled with Jenna's own original quotes and affirmations, alongside intimate, personal stories about growing up Latina in Hollywood, working through depression, falling in—and out of—love, losing close family members, and so much more.

Jenna has had to balance her acting career, her private life, and public expectations from a young age, and she’s learned that the only way to get through it all is to wake up every morning and affirm her commitment to herself, her faith, her mental health, and her family. In this honest and moving debut, she shares openly and intimately what it means to live this life of self-appreciation.

Jenna's vulnerability will remind readers that there’s power within us all and we are not alone in our struggles.

January 12, 2021

JUMP AT THE SUN | Picture Book

by Alicia D. Williams; Illus. by Jacqueline Alcántara (Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books)

Zora was a girl who hankered for tales like bees for honey. Now, her mama always told her that if she wanted something, “to jump at de sun”, because even though you might not land quite that high, at least you’d get off the ground. So Zora jumped from place to place, from the porch of the general store where she listened to folktales, to Howard University, to Harlem. And everywhere she jumped, she shined sunlight on the tales most people hadn’t been bothered to listen to until Zora. The tales no one had written down until Zora. Tales on a whole culture of literature overlooked…until Zora. Until Zora jumped.

MY LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK ABOUT FRIDA KAHLO | Picture Book

by Silvia López; Illus. by Elisa Chavarri (Golden Books)

This Little Golden Book captures the essence of Frida Kahlo for the youngest readers. From overcoming illness, to being one of only a handful of girls at her school in Mexico, to having her paintings hanging in museums, this is an inspiring read for future trailblazers and their parents! Features informative text and colorful illustrations inspired by Frida's own artwork.

STELLA DÍAZ DREAMS BIG | Chapter Book

by Angela Dominguez (Roaring Brook)

In Stella Díaz Dreams Big, by award-winning author and illustrator Angela Dominguez, how will Stella fare when the waters get rough?

Stella is happy as a clam in fourth grade. She's the president of the Sea Musketeers conservation club, she starts taking swim lessons, and she joins a new art club at school. But as her schedule fills up, school gets harder, too. Suddenly the tides have turned, and she is way too busy!

Stella will be in an ocean of trouble if she can't keep her head above water. But with her trusty Sea Musketeers by her side, she hops to make her big dreams come true!

Based on the author's experiences growing up Mexican-American, this infectiously charming character comes to life through relatable storytelling including simple Spanish vocabulary and adorable black-and-white art.

WATCH ME | Picture Book

by Doyin Richards; Illus. by Joe Cepeda (Feiwel & Friends)

Joe came to America from Africa when he was young. He worked hard in school, made friends, and embraced his new home. Like so many immigrants before and after him, Joe succeeded when many thought he would fail.

In telling the story of how his father came to America, Doyin Richards tells the story of many immigrants, and opens the experience up to readers of all backgrounds. Here is a moving and empowering story of how many different people, from different places, make us great. Acclaimed artist Joe Cepeda brings the story to life with beautiful paintings, full of heart.

January 19, 2021

THIRTY DIRTY TALKS WEIRD LOVE | Young Adult

by Alessandra Narváez Varela (Cinco Puntos Press)

Out of nowhere, a lady comes up to Anamaria and says she’s her, from the future. But Anamaria’s thirteen, she knows better than to talk to a stranger. Girls need to be careful, especially in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico—it’s the 90’s and fear is overtaking her beloved city as cases of kidnapped girls and women become alarmingly common. This thirty-year-old “future” lady doesn’t seem to be dangerous but she won’t stop bothering her, switching between cheesy Hallmark advice about being kind to yourself, and some mysterious talk about saving a girl.

Anamaria definitely doesn’t need any saving, she’s doing just fine. She works hard at her strict, grade-obsessed middle school—so hard that she hardly gets any sleep; so hard that the stress makes her snap not just at mean girls but even her own (few) friends; so hard that when she does sleep she dreams about dying—but she just wants to do the best she can so she can grow up to be successful. Maybe Thirty’s right, maybe she’s not supposed to be so exhausted with her life, but how can she ask for help when her city is mourning the much bigger tragedy of its stolen girls?

This thought-provoking, moving verse novel will lead adult and young adult readers alike to vital discussions on important topics—like dealing with depression and how to recognize this in yourself and others—through the accessible voice of a thirteen-year-old girl.

A THOUSAND WHITE BUTTERFLIES | Picture Book

by Jessica Betancourt-Perez & Karen Lynn Williams; Illus. by Gina Maldonado (Charlesbridge)

Isabella has recently arrived from Colombia with her mother and abuela. She misses Papa, who is still in South America. It's her first day of school, her make-new-friends day, but when classes are canceled because of too much snow, Isabella misses warm, green, Colombia more than ever. Then Isabella meets Katie and finds out that making friends in the cold is easier than she thought!

December 2020 Latinx Releases

December 1, 2020

JULIET TAKES A BREATH | Graphic Novel

by Gabby Rivera & Celia Moscote (BOOM! Box)

Juliet Milagros Palante is a self-proclaimed closeted Puerto Rican baby dyke from the Bronx. Only, she's not so closeted anymore. Not after coming out to her family the night before flying to Portland, Oregon, to intern with her favorite feminist writer--what's sure to be a life-changing experience. And when Juliet's coming out crashes and burns, she's not sure her mom will ever speak to her again.

But Juliet has a plan--sort of. Her internship with legendary author Harlowe Brisbane, the ultimate authority on feminism, women's bodies, and other gay-sounding stuff, is sure to help her figure out this whole "Puerto Rican lesbian" thing. Except Harlowe's white. And not from the Bronx. And she definitely doesn't have all the answers . . .

In a summer bursting with queer brown dance parties, a sexy fling with a motorcycling librarian, and intense explorations of race and identity, Juliet learns what it means to come out--to the world, to her family, to herself.

December 15, 2020

THIS IS HOW WE FLY | Young Adult

by Anna Meriano (Philomel Books)

17-year-old vegan feminist Ellen Lopez-Rourke has one muggy Houston summer left before college. She plans to spend every last moment with her two best friends before they go off to the opposite ends of Texas for school. But when Ellen is grounded for the entire summer by her (sometimes) evil stepmother, all her plans are thrown out the window.

Determined to do something with her time, Ellen (with the help of BFF Melissa) convinces her parents to let her join the local muggle Quidditch team. An all-gender, full-contact game, Quidditch isn’t quite what Ellen expects. There’s no flying, no magic, just a bunch of scrappy players holding PVC pipe between their legs and throwing dodgeballs. Suddenly Ellen is thrown into the very different world of sports: her life is all practices, training, and running with a group of Harry Potter fans.

Even as Melissa pulls away to pursue new relationships and their other BFF Xiumiao seems more interested in moving on from high school (and from Ellen), Ellen is steadily finding a place among her teammates. Maybe Quidditch is where she belongs.

But with her home life and friend troubles quickly spinning out of control–Ellen must fight for the future that she wants, now she’s playing for keeps.

December 29, 2020

LA LATINA CON BAJA AUTO | Memoir

by Rosie Mercado; Translated by Jose Reyes Rivera (Harper Collins Español)

When young Rosita moved from Puerto Rico to the mainland United States, she didn’t know what to expect—but she knew she loved to sing and dance. Working to overcome the language barrier and bullying she experienced in a strange new country, Rita eventually made her way to Hollywood with a dream to be a star. There, she fought to be seen and heard and eventually reached the pinnacle of success, landing her iconic role in West Side Story and, finally, winning her groundbreaking Oscar.

November 2020 Latinx Releases

November 2, 2020

NOIRYOCRICAN | Fiction

by Richie Narvaez (Down & Out Books)

A reluctant assassin is born. A con man tries to sell the Grand Central clock. A superhero is dying to lose her powers.

In thirteen fast-moving stories, the author of Hipster Death Rattle explores the tragic world of noir fiction with a wide range of Latinx characters. These stories define noir as tales of people who fall not from great heights but from the stoop and the sidewalk.

A follow-up to the author’s Roachkiller and Other Stories, which received the Spinetingler Award for Best Anthology/Short Story Collection, this contains a sequel to that anthology’s eponymous story.

November 3, 2020

APHASIA | Fiction

by Mauro Javier Cárdenas (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

Antonio wants to avoid thinking about his sister―even though he knows he won’t be able to avoid thinking about his sister―because his sister is on the run after allegedly threatening to shoot her neighbors, and has been claiming that Antonio, Obama, the Pentagon, and their mother are all conspiring against her. Nevertheless, Antonio is going to try his best to be as avoidant as possible, because he worries that what’s been happening to his sister might somehow infect his relatively contented, ordered American life, and destabilize the precarious arrangement with his ex-wife that’s allowed him to stay close to his two daughters.

A GIRL NAMED ROSITA: THE STORY OF RITA MORENO | Picture Book

by Anika Aldamuy Denise; Illustrated by Leo Espinosa (Harper Collins Español)

When young Rosita moved from Puerto Rico to the mainland United States, she didn’t know what to expect—but she knew she loved to sing and dance. Working to overcome the language barrier and bullying she experienced in a strange new country, Rita eventually made her way to Hollywood with a dream to be a star. There, she fought to be seen and heard and eventually reached the pinnacle of success, landing her iconic role in West Side Story and, finally, winning her groundbreaking Oscar.

PARTICULATE MATTER | Memoir

by TFelicia Luna Lemus (Akashic Books)

Particulate Matter is the story of a year in Felicia Luna Lemus's marriage when the world turned upside down. It's set in Los Angeles, and it's about love and crisis, loss and grief, the city and the ocean, ancestral ghosts and history haunting. Nature herself seemed to howl. Fires raged and covered the house Lemus and her spouse shared in ash. Everything crystallized. It was the most challenging and terrifying time she had ever experienced, and yet it was also a time when the sublime beauty of the everyday shone through with particular power and presence.

November 10, 2020

13TH STREET #4: THE SCHOKING SHARK SHOWDOWN | Chapter Book

by David Bowles; Illus. by Shan Clester (HarperChapters)

Cousins Malia, Dante, and Ivan are looking for a portal to 13th Street. They need to help their new friend Mickey find his way home! But waiting for them are sharks that can shock them with an electric charge. Can the cousins reach Mickey before it's too late?

A CUBAN GIRL’S GUIDE TO TEA AND TOMORROW | Young Adult

by Laura Taylor Namey (Atheneum)

For Lila Reyes, a summer in England was never part of the plan. The plan was 1) take over her abuela’s role as head baker at their panadería, 2) move in with her best friend after graduation, and 3) live happily ever after with her boyfriend. But then the Trifecta happened, and everything—including Lila herself—fell apart.

Worried about Lila’s mental health, her parents make a new plan for her: Spend three months with family friends in Winchester, England, to relax and reset. But with the lack of sun, a grumpy inn cook, and a small town lacking Miami flavor (both in food and otherwise), what would be a dream trip for some feels more like a nightmare to Lila…until she meets Orion Maxwell.

A teashop clerk with troubles of his own, Orion is determined to help Lila out of her funk, and appoints himself as her personal tour guide. From Winchester’s drama-filled music scene to the sweeping English countryside, it isn’t long before Lila is not only charmed by Orion, but England itself. Soon a new future is beginning to form in Lila’s mind—one that would mean leaving everything she ever planned behind.

ME DICEN GÜERO | Middle Grade

by David Bowles (Vintage Español)

Güero tiene doce años y es mexicano y americano al mismo tiempo. Sabe sentirse en casa en ambos lados del rio, y en su vida hay tanto español como inglés. Güero ha comenzado el séptimo año en la escuela, y su profe de inglés hace que hasta los poemas suenen cool.

Güero es como llaman a los chicos como el: pálidos. Pero no te equivoques, nuestro héroe pelirrojo y con pecas es puro mexicano, como el Canelo Álvarez. Además, Güero es un nerd—lector, gamer, músico—que se junta con una banda de inadaptados como el: Los Bobbys. Como todos los chicos de su edad, Los Bobbys se meten en problemas y, ¡hasta les gustan las chicas! Pero bueno, ¡cuidado con Joanna! Es dura como ninguna.

De la mano de las tradiciones familiares, su acordeón y su escuadrón de nerds, Güero le hace frente al séptimo año escolar con inteligencia y un gran corazon.

November 17, 2020

EVERYDAY ADVOCACY: TEACHERS WHO CHANGE THE LITERACY NARRATIVE | Academic

by Cathy Fleischer & Antero Garcia (Norton Professional Books)

In this groundbreaking collection, literacy educators describe how they are redefining what it means to be a teaching professional. Teachers share how they are trying to change the conversation surrounding literacy and literacy instruction by explaining to colleagues, administrators, parents, and community members why they teach in particular research-based ways, so often contradicted by mandated curricula and standardized assessments. Teacher educators also share how they are introducing an advocacy approach to preservice and practicing teachers, helping prepare teachers for this new professionalism. Both groups practice what the authors call “everyday advocacy”: the day-to-day actions teachers are taking to change the public narrative surrounding schools, teachers, and learning.

October 2020 Latinx Releases

October 1, 2020

AND THE MOON FOLLOWS | Young Adult

by Cyn Bermudez (Rosen/West 44 Books)

Luna has nowhere to go. She leaves home after her stepfather sexually assaults her. Now her only option is to run as far and as fast as possible. Luna takes to the streets, where she survives by sleeping in parks, cars, and an abandoned house. But how long can she survive on the run? Where can she go if she can't go home?

FELIZ NEW YEAR, AVA GABRIELA! | Picture Book

by Alexandra Alessandri; Illustrated by Addy Rivera Sonda (Albert Whitman & Co.)

Ava Gabriela is visiting her extended family in Colombia for the holidays. She’s excited to take part in family traditions such as making bunuelos, but being around all her loud relatives in an unfamiliar place makes Ava shy and quiet. How will Ava find her voice before she misses out on all the New Year’s fun?

October 6, 2020

111 Trees: How One Village Celebrates the Birth of Every Girl | Picture Book

by Rina Singh; Illustrated by Marieanne Ferrer (CitizenKid)

This is the story of Sundar Paliwal, who is from a small Indian village ruled by ancient customs. As he grows to be a man, Sundar suffers much heartbreak and decides it is time for change to come to his village. Sundar is determined to live in a place where girls are valued as much as boys and where the land is not devastated by irresponsible mining. Sundar's plan? To celebrate the birth of every girl with the planting of 111 trees. Though many villagers resist at first, Sundar slowly gains their support. And today, there are over a quarter of a million trees in his village, providing food, water and opportunities for women to earn a living. His efforts have turned a once barren and deforested landscape into a fertile and prosperous one where girls can thrive.

ALL BECAUSE YOU MATTER | Picture Book

by Tami Charles; Illustrated by Bryan Collier (Scholastic)

Lyrical, personal, and full of love, All Because You Matter is for the picture book audience what The Hate U Give was for YA and Ghost Boys was for middle grade: a conversation starter, a community touchstone, and a deep affirmation of worth for the young readers who need it most.

BLAZEWRATH GAMES | Young Adult

by Amparo Ortiz (Page Street)

Lana Torres has always preferred dragons to people. In a few weeks, sixteen countries will compete in the Blazewrath World Cup, a tournament where dragons and their riders fight for glory in a dangerous relay. Lana longs to represent her native Puerto Rico in their first ever World Cup appearance, and when Puerto Rico’s Runner—the only player without a dragon steed—is kicked off the team, she’s given the chance.

But when she discovers that a former Blazewrath superstar has teamed up with the Sire—a legendary dragon who’s cursed into human form—the safety of the Cup is jeopardized. The pair are burning down dragon sanctuaries around the world and refuse to stop unless the Cup gets cancelled. All Lana wanted was to represent her country. Now, to do that, she’ll have to navigate an international conspiracy that’s deadlier than her beloved sport.

THE CHILEAN KITCHEN | Cookbook

by Pilar Hernandez, Eileen Smith, Araceli Paz (Skyhorse Publishing)

The Spanish phrase quédate un poquito, or “stay a while,” is the essence of Chilean hospitality—one does not “stop by for a quick bite” in Chile. Comprised of more than seventy authentic Chilean recipes, organized seasonally for maximum freshness, and tweaked ever-so-slightly to fit neatly into the US market, this book creates an accessible, authentic, and uniquely Chilean cooking experience. It marries Pilar’s family recipes and Eileen’s astute writings, which make even those who have never visited Chile feel like they have found home.

Seasonality is the backbone of the Chilean table—each of the four seasonal sections will include a short opening essay to prepare the reader for the bounty of the season. A unique fifth section is included for La Once, or tea time, which transcends the seasons but is quintessentially and irrevocably Chilean.

GRABBED | Anthology

Edited by Richard Blanco, Caridad Moro, Nikki Moustaki, and Elisa Albo (Beacon Press)

The #MeToo movement, the infamous Access Hollywood tape, and the depraved and hypocritical actions of celebrities, politicians, CEOs, and other powerful people have caused people all over the nation to speak out in outrage, to express allegiance for the victims of these assaults, and to raise their voices against a culture that has allowed this behavior to continue for too long.

The editors asked writers and poets to add to the conversation about what being "grabbed" means to them in their own experience or in whatever way the word "grabbed" inspired them. What they received are often searing, heart-rending works, ranging in topic from sexual misconduct to racial injustice, from an unwanted caress to rape, expressed in powerful, beautifully crafted prose and poetry.

GRIEVING: DISPATCHES FROM A WOUNDED COUNTRY | Nonfiction

by Cristina Rivera Garza; Translated by Sarah Booker (The Feminist Press at CUNY)

Grieving is a hybrid collection of short crónicas, journalism, and personal essays on systemic violence in contemporary Mexico and along the US-Mexico border. Drawing together literary theory and historical analysis, she outlines how neoliberalism, corruption, and drug trafficking—culminating in the misnamed “war on drugs”—has shaped her country. Working from and against this political context, Cristina Rivera Garza posits that collective grief is an act of resistance against state violence, and that writing is a powerful mode of seeking social justice and embodying resilience.

I Am! Affirmations for Resilience | Board Book

by Bela Barbosa; Illustrated by Edel Rodriguez (Rise x Penguin Workshop)

This brightly hand-lettered board book empowers young readers to lift themselves up! Ten relatable emotions are each followed by a centering exercise and a positive affirmation to be recited, as a practice in mindfulness. Young readers are encouraged to find their inner strength by recognizing and addressing their emotions, instilling a sense of power and self-confidence.

AN INCOMPLETE LIST OF NAMES | Poetry

by Michael Torres (Beacon Press)

Who do we belong to? This is the question Michael Torres ponders as he explores the roles that names, hometown, language, and others' perceptions each play on our understanding of ourselves in An Incomplete List of Names. More than a boyhood ballad or a coming-of-age story, this collection illuminates the artist's struggle to make sense of the disparate identities others have forced upon him.

JUBILEE | Fiction

by Jennifer Givhan (Blackstone Publishing)

When Bianca appears late one night at her brother's house in Santa Ana, she is barely conscious, though not alone. Jubilee, wrapped in a fuzzy pink romper, is buckled into a car seat. Jubilee, who Bianca feeds and clothes and bathes and loves. Jubilee, who Bianca could not leave behind. Jubilee, a doll in her arms.

Told in alternating points of view, Jubilee reveals both the haunting power of our lived experiences and the surreal possibility of the present to heal the past.

LA TIERRA AL VUELO | Young Adult

by Margarita Engle; Translated by Alexis Romay (S&S/Atheneum)

Margarita Engle’s childhood straddled two worlds: the lush, welcoming island of Cuba and the lonely, dream-soaked reality of Los Angeles. But the revolution has transformed Cuba into a mystery of impossibility, no longer reachable in real life. Margarita longs to travel the world, yet before she can become independent, she’ll have to start high school.

Then the shock waves of war reach America, rippling Margarita’s plans in their wake. Cast into uncertainty, she must grapple with the philosophies of peace, civil rights, freedom of expression, and environmental protection. Despite overwhelming circumstances, she finds solace and empowerment through her education. Amid the challenges of adolescence and a world steeped in conflict, Margarita finds hope beyond the struggle, and love in the most unexpected places.

ROXY THE LAST UNISAURUS REX | Picture Book

by Eva Chen; Illustrated by Matthew Rivera (Feiwel & Friends)

Join Roxy in all her sassy, steak-loving, glittery glory as she learns about the importance of staying true to yourself, celebrating your differences, and finding friends who love you for who you are.

UNTIL WE’RE FISH | Fiction

by Susannah R. Drissi (Propertius Press)

Elio longs for freedom from the dreary home he shares with his mother. He spends his days and nights fantasizing about an American bike and Maria, his vivacious next-door neighbor. Two obstacles stand in his way: the 1959 Cuban Revolution and Maria’s dream of moving to Chicago. Yet Elio is steadfast in believing that somehow, some way he will get both the girl and the Schwinn. When an injury leaves him terrified of the sea, he’s faced with an impossible choice: to overcome his fear and do whatever it takes to realize his vision, or to stay safe, and risk losing everything he’s been living for. 

WHAT WERE WE THINKING: A BRIEF INTELLECTUAL HISTORY OF THE TRUMP ERA | Nonfiction

by Carlos Lozada (Simon & Schuster)

As a book critic for The Washington Post, Carlos Lozada has read some 150 volumes claiming to diagnose why Trump was elected and what his presidency reveals about our nation. Many of these, he’s found, are more defensive than incisive, more righteous than right.

In What Were We Thinking, Lozada uses these books to tell the story of how we understand ourselves in the Trump era, using as his main characters the political ideas and debates at play in America today. He dissects works on the white working class like Hillbilly Elegy; manifestos from the anti-Trump resistance like On Tyranny and No Is Not Enough; books on race, gender, and identity like How to Be an Antiracist and Good and Mad; polemics on the future of the conservative movement like The Corrosion of Conservatism; and of course plenty of books about Trump himself.

Lozada’s argument is provocative: that many of these books—whether written by liberals or conservatives, activists or academics, Trump’s true believers or his harshest critics—are vulnerable to the same blind spots, resentments, and failures that gave us his presidency. But Lozada also highlights the books that succeed in illuminating how America is changing in the 21st century. What Were We Thinking is an intellectual history of the Trump era in real time, helping us transcend the battles of the moment and see ourselves for who we really are.

October 10, 2020

¡TODOS AL RODE! | Picture Book

by Dr. Ma. Alma González Pérez (Del Alma Publications)

Third in our series of popular bilingual alphabet books, this picturesque children's book highlights the life and the history of the vaquero (cowboy). It includes many concepts like rodeo and lasso that emerged with the arrival of the Spaniards in the New World. Written by award-winning author and professor of bilingual education, Dr. María Alma González Pérez, this book is sure to delight and educate young children. Additionally, it is intended as a resource for the bilingual / dual-language classroom.

October 13, 2020

CAT NINJA | Middle Grade

by Matthew Cody; Illustrated by Yehudi Mercado (Andrews McMeel Publishing)

Raised from a kitten by a kindly old ninja master, Claude now spends his days as the pampered house cat of an eleven-year-old boy. But when trouble arises, Claude dons his mask and springs into action as Cat Ninja—Metro City's secret protector! In Book 1 of the series, follow our feline hero’s early exploits as he tries to keep his secret identity under wraps while thwarting the evil plans of slimy thugs, rampaging robots, and a certain rodent nemesis who lives under the same roof!

COME ON IN: 15 Stories About Immigration and Finding Home | Anthology

Edited by Adi Alsaid (Inkyard Press)

With characters who face random traffic stops, TSA detention, customs anxiety, and the daunting and inspiring journey to new lands…who camp with their extended families, dance at weddings, keep diaries, teach ESL…who give up their rooms for displaced family, decide their own answer to the question “where are you from?” and so much more… Come On In illuminates fifteen of the myriad facets of the immigrant experience, from authors who have been shaped by the journeys they and their families have taken from home—and to find home.

CONCRETE KIDS | YA Nonfiction

by Amyra León (Penguin Workshop)

Concrete Kids is an exploration of love and loss, melody and bloodshed. Musician, playwright, and educator Amyra León takes us on a poetic journey through her childhood in Harlem, as she navigates the intricacies of foster care, mourning, self-love, and resilience. In her signature free-verse style, she invites us all to dream with abandon–and to recognize the privilege it is to dream at all.

EAT THE MOUTH THAT FEEDS YOU | Literary Fiction

by Carribean Fragoza (City Lights Publishers)

In visceral, embodied prose, Fragoza’s imperfect characters are drawn with a sympathetic tenderness as they struggle against circumstances and conditions designed to defeat them. A young woman returns home from college, only to pick up exactly where she left off: a smart girl in a rundown town with no future. A mother reflects on the pain and pleasures of being inexorably consumed by her small daughter, whose penchant for ingesting grandma’s letters has extended to taking bites of her actual flesh. A brother and sister watch anxiously as their distraught mother takes an ax to their old furniture, and then to the backyard fence, until finally she attacks the family’s beloved lime tree.

Victories are excavated from the rubble of personal hardship, and women’s wisdom is brutally forged from the violence of history that continues to unfold on both sides of the US-Mexico border.

THE GIRL WITH THE SELF-ESTEEM ISSUES | Memoir

by Rosie Mercado; Translated by Jose Reyes Rivera (Harper One)

When Rosie was only nineteen, the father of her newborn walked out with no warning. With no college degree, no career, and an addiction to emotional eating, Rosie was overwhelmed. How could she take care of a child when she could barely care for herself? Yet despite her lack of self-confidence, the courageous young woman rose from the ashes—only to fall again . . . and again. The journey included three husbands, three divorces, three children, and years of abuse, infidelity, broken promises, and sleepless nights. Rosie's life was anything but easy, especially when her weight ballooned to 400 pounds. Yet she never, ever gave up. When one door closed in her face, she picked herself up and knocked on another one. Despite the pain, the rejection, and the disappointment, there were small victories and successes. Each one gave her the strength to keep on going. Eventually, she found the courage to take control of her life, lost 240 pounds, and found the life she’s always wanted.

LIA & LUÍS: WHO HAS MORE? | Picture Books

by Ana Crespo; Illustrated by Giovana Medeiros (Charlesbridge)

Twins Lia and Luís argue over who has more of their favorite snacks. Can the siblings use math--and a little sharing--to pick the winner? A playful exploration of measurement, counting, and estimation, featuring Brazilian American characters and a glossary of Brazilian Portuguese words.

MERCI SUÁREZ SE PONE LAS PILAS | Middle Grade

by Meg Medina (Candlewick)

Merci Suárez sabía que el sexto grado sería diferente, pero no tenía idea alguna lo diferente que resultaría. En primer lugar, Merci nunca se ha parecido a los otros niños de su escuela privada en la Florida, porque tanto ella como Roli, su hermano mayor, son estudiantes becados. Ellos no tienen ni una casa grande ni un yate elegante, y tienen que desempeñar servicios comunitarios adicionales para compensar por su matricula gratis. Así que cuando la mandona de Edna Santos se fija en el nuevo niño que la escuela le ha asignado a Merci como su “amigos de arco iris,” Merci se convierte en el foco de los celos de Edna. Las cosas no andan muy bien en su casa tampoco: Lolo, el abuelo de Merci, su aliado de mayor confianza, ha estado actuando un poco raro últimamente: se le olvida cosas importantes, se cae de la bicicleta y se enoja por cualquier cosa. Nadie en la familia le ha dicho a Merci qué es lo que le aflige, así que Merci tiene que lidiar sola con sus preocupaciones, a la vez que se siente aislada en la escuela. En una historia sobre los ritos de la pre-adolescencia, llena de humor y sabiduría, la galardonada autora Meg Medina llega al fondo del desconcierto y del cambio continuo que caracterizan el último año de la escuela elemental, así como de los lazos inquebrantables de la familia.

QUIET NO MORE | Young Adult

by Nikki Barthelmess (Flux)

College freshman Victoria Parker is trying to move on with her life after surviving sexual assault by her father and six months in foster care. She's focusing on the positives--attending college, living on her own, repairing old relationships and making new ones, and getting involved with an abuse survivors activist group on campus. But everything's thrown into disarray when a strange woman shows up, claiming to be Victoria's aunt and asking Victoria to lie about what happened to her. With her father's sentencing in a few months, she's nervous about having to share the truth of what happened with a judge. She's not even sure if she has the strength to go through with it. But when her fellow club members begin pressuring her to speak out, Victoria has to decide how to share her story while remaining true to herself. 

RIGHT/WRONG: HOW TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMS OUR ETHICS | Nonfiction

by Juan Enriquez (The MIT Press)

Most people have a strong sense of right and wrong, and many of us are not reluctant to argue with someone who disagrees. But when we take an unyielding stand on something we regard as an eternal truth, we forget that ethics evolve over time. What was once broadly acceptable is now completely unacceptable. For example, burning heretics is no longer considered a just punishment. Child marriage is not applauded as a family value. Many shifts in the right vs. wrong pendulum are affected by advances in technology. In Right/Wrong, Juan Enriquez reflects on the evolution of ethics in a technological age.

TINY NIGHTMARES | Horror

Edited by Lincoln Michael & Nadxieli Nieto (Catapult)

In this playful, spine-tingling collection, leading literary and horror writers spin unforgettably chilling tales in only a few pages.Tiny Nightmares brings to life broken-hearted vampires, Uber-taking serial killers, mind-reading witches, and monsters of all imaging, as well as stories that tackle the horrors of our modern world from global warming and racism to social media addiction and online radicalization. Writers such as Samantha Hunt, Brian Evenson, Jac Jemc, Stephen Graham Jones, Kevin Brockmeier, and Rion Amilcar Scott expand our understanding of horror fiction with inventive and blood-curdling new tales. We suggest reading with the hall light on and the bedroom door open just a crack.

October 20, 2020

THE 5 DISCIPLINES OF INCLUSIVE LEADERS | Nonfiction

by Andrés Tapia & Alina Polonskaia (Berrett-Koehler Publishers)

In this book, Tapia and Polonskaia draw on Korn Ferry's massive database of 3 million leadership assessments to reveal the essential qualities of inclusive leaders. They discuss the personality traits these leaders share and detail how to develop what they call the five disciplines of inclusive leadership: building interpersonal trust, integrating diverse perspectives, optimizing talent, applying an adaptive mindset, and achieving transformation.

FINDING LATINX: IN SEARCH OF THE VOICES REDEFINING LATINO IDENTITY | Nonfiction

by Paola Ramos (Vintage)

In this empowering cross-country travelogue, journalist and activist Paola Ramos embarks on a journey to find the communities of people defining the controversial term, “Latinx.” She introduces us to the indigenous Oaxacans who rebuilt the main street in a post-industrial town in upstate New York, the “Las Poderosas” who fight for reproductive rights in Texas, the musicians in Milwaukee whose beats reassure others of their belonging, as well as drag queens, environmental activists, farmworkers, and the migrants detained at our border. Drawing on intensive field research as well as her own personal story, Ramos chronicles how “Latinx” has given rise to a sense of collectivity and solidarity among Latinos unseen in this country for decades.

October 27, 2020

PLANT WITCHERY: DISCOVER THE SACRED LANGUAGE, WISDOM, AND MAGIC OF 200 PLANTS | Nonfiction

by Juliet Diaz (Hay House)

Indigenous seer, gifted plant whisperer, and Witchery author Juliet Diaz invites you to walk the path of the Plant Witch. Journey far beyond the basic medicinal and magical properties of plants, deep into Mother Earth's drumming heart. Drawn from ancestral practices passed down by generations of teachers, the lessons in this book will awaken your intimate connection with nature, your ancestors, your guides, and to your true self through the powerful magic of plants.

PULPO GUISADO | Picture Book

by Eric Velasquez (Holiday House)

The octopus Grandma is cooking has grown to titanic proportions. "¡Tenga cuidado!" Ramsey shouts. "Be careful!" But it's too late. The octopus traps Grandma! Ramsey must use both art and intellect to free his beloved abuela.

Then the story takes a surprising twist. And it can be read two ways. Open the fold-out pages to find Ramsey telling a story to his family. Keep the pages folded, and Ramsey's octopus adventure is real.

HOLIDAY HOME RUN | Romance

by Priscilla Oliveras (Zebra Books)

Event planner Julia Louisa Fernandez dreams of a life in Chicago. But her family in Puerto Rico expects her to take over the catering business. Former pro baseball player Ben Thomas knows what that’s like—and when they meet, he might be the one to inspire a winning strategy, just in time for the holidays . . .

October 31, 2020

VINCENT VENTURUA AND THE DIABOLICAL DUENDES | Chapter Book

by Xavier Garza (Arte Público)

Another family has moved into the house at 666 Duende Street across from Vincent Ventura's, and once again there's something mysterious going on. There's a boy who constantly argues with himself. "You can't tell me what to do," Vincent hears him say, but there's no one around. Who could he be talking to? When Vincent sees a green creature with glowing red eyes and needle-sharp teeth terrorize the boy into vandalizing a neighbor's car, he knows there is another monster mystery to solve! His cousin, Michelle, is one of the smartest kids around, and she quickly finds information in a library book on Latin American monsters. She's sure the creature Vincent saw is a duende, which is similar to an evil troll or gnome. Is Sayer Cantú really a target of these wicked beasts?! Everyone at school knows he's a troublemaker to avoid. Could duendes be forcing him to misbehave? Once again Vincent Ventura recruits his cousins and gathers his monster-fighting tools crosses, holy water, packs of salt, silver metal beads and slingshots for the upcoming showdown.

THE NUMBER ON MY FATHER’S ARM | Middle Grade

by Rodolfo Alvarado (Arte Público)

A young boy seeks to unravel the mystery of his father’s nightmares and the number tattooed on his arm in this short bilingual novel that will acquaint readers ages 10-15 with the Holocaust and the expulsion of Mexicans and Mexican Americans from the United States in the early part of the twentieth century.

September 2020 Latinx Releases

September 1, 2020

CEMETERY BOYS | Young Adult

by Aiden Thomas (Feiwel & Friends)

When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.

However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school's resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He's determined to find out what happened and tie off some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.

FEATHERED SERPENT AND THE FIVE SUNS: A MESOAMERICAN CREATION MYTH | Picture Book

by Duncan Tonatiuh (Abrams BFYR)

Long ago, the gods of Mesoamerica set out to create humans. They tried many times during each sun, or age. When all their attempts failed and the gods grew tired, only one did not give up: Quetzalcóatl—the Feathered Serpent. To continue, he first had to retrieve the sacred bones of creation guarded by Mictlantecuhtli, lord of the underworld. Gathering his staff, shield, cloak, and shell ornament for good luck, Feathered Serpent embarked on the dangerous quest to create humankind.
 
Award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings to life the story of Feathered Serpent, one of the most important deities in ancient Mesoamerica. With his instantly recognizable, acclaimed art style and grand storytelling, Tonatiuh recounts a thrilling creation tale of epic proportions.

GABI, FRAGMENTOS DE UNA ADOLESCENTE | Young Adult

by Isabel Quintero (Vintage Español)

Gabi aún no entiende quién es. Escribir la ayudará a juntar sus pedazos.

Gabi Hernández está en su último año de la preparatoria. Para entretenerse, escribe todo lo que le pasa en su diario: las solicitudes a las universidades, el embarazo de Cindy, cuando Sebastián salió del clóset, los chicos guapos de su clase, la adicción de su padre a la metanfetamina, y toda la comida que se le antoja. Pero lo mejor de todo lo que escribe es la poesía que la ayuda a ser quien es.

MAÑANALAND | Middle Grade

by Pam Muñoz Ryan (Scholastic)

Maximiliano Córdoba loves stories, especially the legend Buelo tells him about a mythical gatekeeper who can guide brave travelers on a journey into tomorrow.

If Max could see tomorrow, he would know if he'd make Santa Maria's celebrated fútbol team and whether he'd ever meet his mother, who disappeared when he was a baby. He longs to know more about her, but Papá won't talk. So when Max uncovers a buried family secret — involving an underground network of guardians who lead people fleeing a neighboring country to safety — he decides to seek answers on his own.

With a treasured compass, a mysterious stone rubbing, and Buelo's legend as his only guides, he sets out on a perilous quest to discover if he is true of heart and what the future holds.

This timeless tale of struggle, hope, and the search for tomorrow has much to offer today about compassion and our shared humanity.

PUNCHING THE AIR | Young Adult

by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam (Balzer + Bray)

Amal Shahid has always been an artist and a poet. But even in a diverse art school, he’s seen as disruptive and unmotivated by a biased system. Then one fateful night, an altercation in a gentrifying neighborhood escalates into tragedy. “Boys just being boys” turns out to be true only when those boys are white. 

The story that I think

will be my life 

starts today

Suddenly, at just sixteen years old, Amal’s bright future is upended: he is convicted of a crime he didn’t commit and sent to prison. Despair and rage almost sink him until he turns to the refuge of his words, his art. This never should have been his story. But can he change it? 

With spellbinding lyricism, award-winning author Ibi Zoboi and prison reform activist Yusef Salaam tell a moving and deeply profound story about how one boy is able to maintain his humanity and fight for the truth, in a system designed to strip him of both.

RISE OF THE HALFLING KING | Middle Graphic Novel

by David Boowles; Illus. by Charlene Bowles (Cinco Puntos Press)

Sayam has always been different from other kids―he’s very short for his age, his best friend is a monkey, and most curious of all: he was born from an egg! His grandmother, a witch, found him and taught him all the ancient magic she uses to help her people. So when a giant snake starts terrorizing a nearby city, Sayam decides it’s time for him to use his knowledge to help others, and steps into action. But the beast might not be Sayam’s biggest problem: the ruthless King Kinich Kak Ek sees Sayam as a threat to his throne. Prophecy declares that whoever succeeds at three impossible tests will be king. Monstrous snakes and impossible tests are a lot for a boy to handle, but Sayam is brave and has a loyal monkey, a wise grandmother, and magical knowledge on his side!

SANCTUARY | Young Adult

by Paola Mendoza & Abby Sher (Putnam Books)

It’s 2032, and in this near-future America, all citizens are chipped and everyone is tracked–from buses to grocery stores. It’s almost impossible to survive as an undocumented immigrant, but that’s exactly what sixteen-year-old Vali is doing. She and her family have carved out a stable, happy life in small-town Vermont, but when Vali’s mother’s counterfeit chip starts malfunctioning and the Deportation Forces raid their town, they are forced to flee.

Now on the run, Vali and her family are desperately trying to make it to her tía Luna’s in California, a sanctuary state that is currently being walled off from the rest of the country. But when Vali’s mother is detained before their journey even really begins, Vali must carry on with her younger brother across the country to make it to safety before it’s too late.

THE SHADOW CROSSER | Middle Grade

by J. C. Cervantes (Disney Hyperion)

Zane Obispo has been looking forward to his training at the Shaman Institute for Higher Order Magic, and not only because it means he'll be reunited with his best friend, Brooks. Anything would be better than how he has spent the last three months: searching for the remaining godborns with a nasty demon who can sniff them out (literally). But when Zane tracks down the last kid on his list, he's in for a surprise: the "one" is actually a pair of twins, and they're trying to prevent a mysterious object from falling into the wrong hands.

After a shocking betrayal, Zane finds himself at SHIHOM sooner than expected. Even more shocking is the news that the Maya gods have gone missing. The bat god, Camazotz, and Ixkik' (aka Blood Moon) have taken them out of commission . . . and the godborns are their next target. The only thing the villains need now? The object that the twins possess.Zane knows the godborns aren't strong enough yet to stand up to Zotz, Ixkik', and their army. There might be a way to save the gods, but it involves locating a magical calendar that can see across time and space . . . not to mention traveling more than thirty years into the past. In The Shadow Crosser, Zane and his friends embark on their most treacherous mission yet--a mission that, with one blunder, could change history as we know it, and worse, destroy the universe.

UNFORGETTING | Memoir

by Roberto Lovato (Harper)

In Unforgetting, Roberto interweaves his father’s complicated history and his own with first-hand reportage on gang life, state violence, and the heart of the immigration crisis in both El Salvador and the United States. In doing so he makes the political personal, revealing the cyclical ways violence operates in our homes and our societies, as well as the ways hope and tenderness can rise up out of the darkness if we are courageous enough to unforget.

WAYWARD WITCH | Young Adult

by Zoraida Córdova (Sourcebooks Fire)

Rose Mortiz has always been a fixer, but lately she's been feeling lost. She has brand new powers that she doesn't understand, and her family is still trying to figure out how to function in the wake of her amnesiac father's return home. Then, on the night of her Deathday party, Rose discovers her father's memory loss has been a lie.

As she rushes to his side, the two are ambushed and pulled through a portal to the land of Adas, a fairy realm hidden in the Caribbean Sea. There Rose is forced to work with a group of others to save Adas. Soon, she begins to discover the scope of her powers, the troubling truth about her father's past, and the sacrifices he made to save her sisters. But if Rose wants to return home so that she can repair her broken family, she must figure out how to heal Adas first.

September 8, 2020

BRONX SHAPES | Picture Book

by Alex Rivera (Kokila)

Take a walk through the Bronx and what do you see? CIRCLE wheels on a classic tricycle, a vast DIAMOND where the Yankees play baseball, colorful TRIANGLE flags above the bodega, and more! Bronxshapes, the second board book in a new series, teaches young readers about shapes through Bronx native Alex Rivera’s eye-catching photographs and creative design. The small square trim (7″ x 7″) and sturdy pages are a perfect format for toddlers, and the content inside promotes language acquisition and concept learning in both English and Spanish. Curl up with your little one for a bilingual story time that helps them reach important developmental milestones.

BRONX TONES | Picture Book

by Alex Rivera (Kokila)

Where can you find your best friend playing with a RED balloon, tamales from your favorite GREEN cart, or YELLOW pineapple raspados? The Bronx! Bronxtones, the first board book in a new series, teaches young readers about colors through the vibrant palette of the Bronx, as captured by Bronx native Alex Rivera’s eye-catching photographs and creative design. The small square trim (7″ x 7″) and sturdy pages are a perfect format for toddlers, and the content inside promotes language acquisition and concept learning in both English and Spanish. Curl up with your little one for a bilingual story time that helps them reach important developmental milestones.

CARMEN SANDIEGO: SECRETS OF THE SILVER LION | Middle Grade

by Emma Otheguy (HMH)

From the bustling streets of New York City to the cobblestones of Seville and the silver mines high in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia, Carmen is off on another quest to stop VILE in this heart-pounding caper full of twists and turns!

For centuries, the magnificent Throne of Felipe has stood with two empty spaces beside its famous silver arrow—spaces where the silver castle and lion should have been. And now, with the recent discovery of the silver castle within a secret vault in Seville, Spain, the hunt is on for the third silver icon. With all three pieces in the place, the throne will be enormously valuable—making it a hot item on VILE’s radar. Now it’s up to Carmen and crew to find the silver lion before VILE does, and protect the throne from winding up in the wrong hands.

DIGGING FOR WORDS: JOSÉ ALBERTO GUTIÉRREZ AND THE LIBRARY HE BUILT| Picture Book

by Angela Burke Kunkel; Illus. by Paola Escobar (Schwartz & Wade)

In the city of Bogata, in the barrio of La Nueva Gloria, there live two Joses. One is a boy who dreams of Saturdays-- that's the day he gets to visit Paradise, the library. The second Jose is a garbage collector. From dusk until dawn, he scans the sidewalks as he drives, squinting in the dim light, searching household trash for hidden treasure . . . books! Some are stacked in neat piles, as if waiting for José́. Others take a bit more digging. Ever since he found his first book, Anna Karenina, years earlier, he's been collecting books--thick ones and thin ones, worn ones and almost new ones-- to add to the collection in his home. And on Saturdays, kids like little Jose run to the steps of Paradise to discover a world filled with books and wonder.

EVELYN DEL REY IS MOVING AWAY | Picture Books

by Meg Medina; Illus. by Sonia Sánchez (Candlewick)

Evelyn Del Rey is Daniela’s best friend. They do everything together and even live in twin apartments across the street from each other: Daniela with her mami and hamster, and Evelyn with her mami, papi, and cat. But not after today—not after Evelyn moves away. Until then, the girls play amid the moving boxes until it’s time to say goodbye, making promises to keep in touch, because they know that their friendship will always be special. The tenderness of Meg Medina’s beautifully written story about friendship and change is balanced by Sonia Sánchez’s colorful and vibrant depictions of the girls’ urban neighborhood.

LILLYBELLE: A DAMSEL NOT IN DISTRESS | Picture Book

by Joana Pastro; Illus. by Jhon Ortiz (Boyds Mills Press)

At the School for Damsels, LillyBelle enjoys many damsel-in-training classes, like cake baking and vocal training, but the rule that a damsel must be in distress . . . not so much. When she's captured by one villain after another, LillyBelle will need to use her charm and her wit to save herself and prove once and for all that damsels don't have to be in distress--all in time for tea!

LUPE WONG WON’T DANCE | Middle Grade

by Donna Barba Higuera (Levine Querido)

Lupe Wong is going to be the first female pitcher in the Major Leagues.

She's also championed causes her whole young life. Some worthy…like expanding the options for race on school tests beyond just a few bubbles. And some not so much…like complaining to the BBC about the length between Doctor Who seasons.

Lupe needs an A in all her classes in order to meet her favorite pitcher, Fu Li Hernandez, who's Chinacan/Mexinese just like her. So when the horror that is square dancing rears its head in gym? Obviously she's not gonna let that slide.

PRIME DECEPTIONS | Science Fiction

by Valeri Valdes (Harper Voyager)

Captain Eva Innocente and the crew of La Sirena Negra find themselves once again on the fringe of populated space—and at the center of a raging covert war. When Eva’s sister asks for help locating a missing scientist, promises of a big paycheck and a noble cause convince Eva to take the job despite lingering trust issues.

With reluctant assistance from her estranged mother, Eva and her crew follow the missing scientist’s trail across the universe, from the costume-filled halls of a never-ending convention to a dangerous bot-fighting arena. They ultimately find themselves at the last place Eva wants to see again—Garilia—where she experienced her most shameful and haunting failure. 

To complete her mission and get paid, Eva must navigate a paradise embroiled in a rebellion, where massive forests and pristine beaches hide psychic creatures and pervasive surveillance technology. Can she find her quarry while avoiding the oppressive local regime, or will she be doomed to repeat past mistakes when her dark deeds come to light?

THE ROCK THROUGH THE LENS: HIS LIFE, HIS MOVIES, HIS WORLD | Biography

by Hiram Garcia (St. Martin’s Press)

Hiram Garcia, who has known Dwayne Johnson since college, is a longtime collaborator, producing partner, and talented photographer. As a film and television producer as well as in his role as the President of Production at Seven Bucks Productions, Garcia has unprecedented access to capture images on the sets of Seven Bucks’ films including such blockbuster hits as Jumanji: The Next Level, Jungle Cruise, Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, and more.

As one of his closest friends, Garcia knows Johnson inside and out, and that deep relationship informs the photographs he shares in this book. Whether it’s an action-packed photo snapped during an intense film take, or a relaxed and candid shot of Johnson with his daughters, Garcia focuses his lens on the qualities he most admires in his friend: his extraordinary work ethic, his infectious smile, his empathy and sense of humor, and the joy and determination Johnson brings to everything he does.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING THROUGH| Literary Fiction

by Sigrid Nunez (Riverhead Books)

In What Are You Going Through, Nunez brings wisdom, humor, and insight to a novel about human connection and the changing nature of relationships in our times. A surprising story about empathy and the unusual ways one person can help another through hardship, her book offers a moving and provocative portrait of the way we live now.

September 15, 2020

EACH OF US A DESERT | Young Adult

by Mark Oshiro (Tor Teen)

Xochitl is destined to wander the desert alone, speaking her troubled village's stories into its arid winds. Her only companions are the blessed stars above and enigmatic lines of poetry magically strewn across dusty dunes.

Her one desire: to share her heart with a kindred spirit.

One night, Xo's wish is granted—in the form of Emilia, the cold and beautiful daughter of the town's murderous conqueror. But when the two set out on a magical journey across the desert, they find their hearts could be a match... if only they can survive the nightmare-like terrors that arise when the sun goes down.

EIGHTEEN INCHES: THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE HEART AND MIND | Poetry

by Mirtha Michelle Castro Mármol (Andrews McMeel Publishing)

This book is one woman’s account of her longing to know herself fully. Her mind, body, and soul. This book might make you cry, fill you with nostalgia, empower you, or even give you hope. You might not see eye to eye with every idea inside, but with any luck you’ll see your soul reflected in its pages. You will question things. You will remember your past. You will be thankful for your present. You will dream a new dream. Above all, you will feel. Welcome to the journey of Eighteen Inches, a battlefield between a woman’s beat-up heart and her complex mind.

FURIA | Young Adult

by Yamile Saied Méndez (Algonquin Young Readers)

In Rosario, Argentina, Camila Hassan lives a double life. 
 
At home, she is a careful daughter, living within her mother’s narrow expectations, in her rising-soccer-star brother’s shadow, and under the abusive rule of her short-tempered father. 
 
On the field, she is La Furia, a powerhouse of skill and talent. When her team qualifies for the South American tournament, Camila gets the chance to see just how far those talents can take her. In her wildest dreams, she’d get an athletic scholarship to a North American university.
 
But the path ahead isn’t easy. Her parents don’t know about her passion. They wouldn’t allow a girl to play fútbol—and she needs their permission to go any farther. And the boy she once loved is back in town. Since he left, Diego has become an international star, playing in Italy for the renowned team Juventus. Camila doesn’t have time to be distracted by her feelings for him. Things aren’t the same as when he left: she has her own passions and ambitions now, and La Furia cannot be denied. As her life becomes more complicated, Camila is forced to face her secrets and make her way in a world with no place for the dreams and ambition of a girl like her.

LAND OF THE CRANES | Middle Grade

by Aida Salazar (Scholastic)

Nine-year-old Betita knows she is a crane. Papi has told her the story, even before her family fled to Los Angeles to seek refuge from cartel wars in Mexico. The Aztecs came from a place called Aztlan, what is now the Southwest US, called the land of the cranes. They left Aztlan to establish their great city in the center of the universe — Tenochtitlan, modern-day Mexico City. It was prophesized that their people would one day return to live among the cranes in their promised land. Papi tells Betita that they are cranes that have come home.

Then one day, Betita's beloved father is arrested by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) and deported to Mexico. Betita and her pregnant mother are left behind on their own, but soon they too are detained and must learn to survive in a family detention camp outside of Los Angeles. Even in cruel and inhumane conditions, Betita finds heart in her own poetry and in the community she and her mother find in the camp. The voices of her fellow asylum-seekers fly above the hatred keeping them caged, but each day threatens to tear them down lower than they ever thought they could be. Will Betita and her family ever be whole again?

ONCE I WAS YOU: A MEMOIR OF LOVE AND HATE IN A TORN AMERICA | Memoir

by Maria Hinojosa (Atria Books)

In Once I Was You, Maria shares her intimate experience growing up Mexican American on the south side of Chicago and documenting the existential wasteland of immigration detention camps for news outlets that often challenged her work. In these pages, she offers a personal and eye-opening account of how the rhetoric around immigration has not only long informed American attitudes toward outsiders, but also enabled willful negligence and profiteering at the expense of our country’s most vulnerable populations—charging us with the broken system we have today.

OUR SUBWAY BABY | Picture Book

by Peter Mercurio; Illus. by Leo Espinosa (Dial Books)

“Some babies are born into their families. Some are adopted. This is the story of how one baby found his family in the New York City subway.”

So begins the true story of Kevin and how he found his Daddy Danny and Papa Pete. Written in a direct address to his son, Pete’s moving and emotional text tells how his partner, Danny, found a baby tucked away in the corner of a subway station on his way home from work one day. Pete and Danny ended up adopting the baby together. Although neither of them had prepared for the prospect of parenthood, they are reminded, “Where there is love, anything is possible.”

NEVER LOOK BACK | Young Adult

by Lilliam Rivera (Bloomsbury)

Eury comes to the Bronx as a girl haunted. Haunted by losing everything in Hurricane Maria--and by an evil spirit, Ato. She fully expects the tragedy that befell her and her family in Puerto Rico to catch up with her in New York. Yet, for a time, she can almost set this fear aside, because there's this boy . . .

Pheus is a golden-voiced, bachata-singing charmer, ready to spend the summer on the beach with his friends, serenading his on-again, off-again flame. That changes when he meets Eury. All he wants is to put a smile on her face and fight off her demons. But some dangers are too powerful for even the strongest love, and as the world threatens to tear them apart, Eury and Pheus must fight for each other and their lives.

Featuring contemporary Afro-Latinx characters, this retelling of the Greek myth Orpheus and Eurydice is perfect for fans of Ibi Zoboi's Pride and Daniel José Older's Shadowshaper.

RESISTENCIA: POEMS OF PROTEST AND REVOLUTION | Poetry

Edited by Mark Eisner & Tina Escaja (St. Martin’s Griffin)

Included in English translation alongside their original language, the fifty-four poems in Resistencia are a testament to the art of translation as much as the act of resistance. An all-star team of translators, including former US Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera along with young, emerging talent, have made many of the poems available for the first time to an English-speaking audience. Urgent, timely, and absolutely essential, these poems inspire us all to embrace our most fearless selves and unite against all forms of tyranny and oppression.

A WORLD TOGETHER | Picture Book

by Sonia Manzano (National Geographic Children’s Books)

This lovely picture book from a first-generation American affirms our common humanity as it presents the glorious similarities and differences that connect us all. It’s a charming book to share with friends and family and to read aloud with little ones. It has an inspiring message: With laugher and love, we can help bring a world together.

September 21, 2020

LIVING COLOR: ANGIE RUBIO STORIES | Literary Fiction

by Donna Miscolta (Jaded Ibis Press)

We first meet Angie Rubio at age five, being scolded by her kindergarten teacher for not knowing how to skip properly.
Set in California in the 1960s and '70s, Living Color: Angie Rubio Stories takes Angie year by year from kindergarten through high school, offering a portrait of the artist as a shy, awkward Mexican-American girl.

September 22, 2020

FLYING FREE: MY VICTORY OVER FEAR TO BECOME THE FIRST LATINA PILOT ON THE US AEROBATIC TEAM | Memoir

by Cecilia Aragon (Blackstone Publishing)

Flying Free is the story of how Cecilia Aragon broke free from expectations and rose above her own limits by combining math and logic with her passion for flying in unexpected ways. You don’t have to be a math whiz or a science geek to learn from her story. You just have to want to soar.

GOD-LEVEL KNOWLEDGE DARTS: LIFE LESSONS FROM THE BRONX | Nonfiction

by Desus & Mero (Random House)

Who could have predicted that, after a fateful meeting in a Bronx summer school in the 1990s, Desus & Mero would turn their friendship into an empire of talking to each other. And it’s no surprise—tuning in to them is like listening to the funniest, smartest people you know dissect a topic and then light it on fire. Now they’ve written the most essential guide to life of this century*, in which all the important questions are asked: How do I talk to my kids about drugs if I do them, too? What are the ethics of ghosting in a relationship? How do I bet on sports? How should I behave in jail? How much is too much to spend on sneakers? Is porn really that bad for me?
 
As they put it: “We want to share all we’ve learned, after years in the Bronx streets, with you: the people. So with a lifetime spent building up a plethora of information from trials and tribulations and a handful of misdemeanors, we decided to write this book—a sequel to the Bible, or maybe to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, depending on how big a nerd you are. Let this book be your North Star.”

IF DOMINICAN WERE A COLOR | Picture Book

by Sili Recio; Illus. by Brianna McCarthy (Denene Millner Books)

The palette of the Dominican Republic is exuberant and unlimited. Maiz comes up amarillo, the blue-black of dreams washes over sandy shores, and people’s skin can be the shade of cinnamon in cocoa or of mahogany. This exuberantly colorful, softly rhyming picture book is a gentle reminder that a nation’s hues are as wide as nature itself.

THE MAPS OF MEMORY: RETURN TO BUTTERFLY HILL | Middle Grade

by Marjorie Agosin; Illus. by Lee White (Atheneum Books)

During Celeste Marconi’s time in Maine, thoughts of the brightly colored cafes and salty air of Valparaíso, Chile, carried her through difficult, homesick days. Now, she’s finally returned home to find the dictatorship has left its mark on her once beautiful and vibrant community.

Celeste is determined to help her beloved Butterfly Hill get back to the way it was and to encourage her neighbors to fight to regain what they’ve lost. More than anything, Celeste wishes she could bring back her best friend, Lucilla, who was one of many to disappear during the dictatorship. Celeste tries to piece together what happened, but it all seems too big to fix—until she receives a letter that changes everything.

When Celeste sets off on her biggest adventure yet, she’ll uncover more heartbreaking truths of what her country has endured. But every small victory makes a difference, and even if Butterfly Hill can never be what it was, moving forward and healing can make it something even better.

MISS METEOR | Young Adult

by Tahlor Kay Mejia & Anna-Marie McLemore (HarperTeen)

There hasn’t been a winner of the Miss Meteor beauty pageant who looks like Lita Perez or Chicky Quintanilla in all its history.

But that’s not the only reason Lita wants to enter the contest, or her ex-best friend Chicky wants to help her. The road to becoming Miss Meteor isn’t about being perfect; it’s about sharing who you are with the world—and loving the parts of yourself no one else understands.

So to pull off the unlikeliest underdog story in pageant history, Lita and Chicky are going to have to forget the past and imagine a future where girls like them are more than enough—they are everything.

MÁS ALLÁ | Literary Fiction

by Julia Alvarez (Vintage Español)

Poco después de jubilarse de la universidad donde enseñaba literatura, Antonia Vega, una escritora latina, pierde a su adorado esposo y su vida parece desmoronarse de repente. Hasta entonces parecía haber encontrado consuelo en la literatura que ama—las palabras de sus autores preferidos dan vueltas en su cabeza como plegarias—, pero la desaparición de su hermana, con su personalidad impredecible y su gran corazón, junto con la aparición de una inmigrante ilegal en el garaje de su casa, devuelven a Antonia a la dura realidad. En estas circunstancias, el mundo requiere más que palabras. 

Mas allá es una novela ágil y de prosa depurada. En momentos en los que reinan la confusión y el caos, la protagonista se plantea: ¿Le debemos algo a los que sufren, sean inmigrantes desconocidos o familiares cercanos? ¿Cómo podemos mantener la fe en los demás y en nosotros mismos en una realidad destrozada? Y, sobre todo, ¿cómo honramos a las personas que amamos y hemos perdido?

THE RESURRECTION OF FULGENCIO RAMIREZ | Literary Fiction

by Rudy Ruiz (Blackstone Publishing)

A work of magical realism, The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez weaves together the past and present as Fulgencio strives to succeed in America, break a mystical family curse, and win back Carolinais love after their doomed youthful romance. Through enchanting language and meditations about the porous nature of borders -- cultural, geographic, and otherworldly -- The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez offers a vision of how the past has divided us, and how the future could unite us.

VAMPIRES NEVER GET OLD: TALES WITH FRESH BITE | Young Adult

Edited by Zoraida Córdova & Natalie C. Parker (Imprint)

In this delicious new collection, you’ll find stories about lurking vampires of social media, rebellious vampires hungry for more than just blood, eager vampires coming out—and going out for their first kill—and other bold, breathtaking, dangerous, dreamy, eerie, iconic, powerful creatures of the night.

WHITE FOX | Young Adult

by Sara Faring (Imprint)

After their world-famous actor mother disappeared under mysterious circumstances, Manon and Thaïs left their remote Mediterranean island home—sent away by their pharma-tech tycoon father. Opposites in every way, the sisters drifted apart in their grief. Yet their mother's unfinished story still haunts them both, and they can't put to rest the possibility that she is still alive.

Lured home a decade later, Manon and Thaïs discover their mother’s legendary last work, long thought lost: White Fox, a screenplay filled with enigmatic metaphors. The clues in this dark fairytale draw them deep into the island's surreal society, into the twisted secrets hidden by their glittering family, to reveal the truth about their mother—and themselves.

September 25, 2020

TERMINAL 3 | Science Fiction

by Illimani Ferreira (Möbius Books)

It is the dawn of the 22nd century, and Earth is on the “Fabulous Side of the Galaxy.”

Imagine the future. Not the flossy-glossy one that feels like riding a Tesla driven by a coked out Ayn Rand. No. Imagine instead... a future somewhere between a white cishet libertarian’s wet dream with sexbots and a nightmare Greta Thunberg had during a nap after eating expired tofu chimichangas. Can you picture that? No? Try this:

Los Angeles has become a main hub of the Galactic Confederation – a relay outpost for extra terrestrial travelers coming from and going to the Norma and Scotus-Centaurus arms of the Milky Way, also known as ‘The Effed Up Side of the Galaxy.’

After his mom disappeared during a quantum terrorist attack when he was a boy, Gabe Chagas decided to follow in her footsteps and become a member of the LAX Security force, where he spends his time deporting aliens for a living.

Gabe isn’t particularly fit. As a matter of fact, he’s a total wimp. What he lacks in courage, he also lacks in brains. But when Gabe receives a cryptic message directing him to a non-existent gate in LAX’s infamous Terminal 3 promising answers for his mother’s disappearance – and her presumed status as an undocumented time traveler – his own terrestrial residency falls under scrutiny.

Welcome to Terminal 3.

Your flight WILL be delayed.

September 29, 2020

HISTORICALLY INACCURATE | Young Adult

by Shay Bravo (Wattpad Books)

After her mother’s deportation last year, all Soledad “Sol” Gutierrez wants is for her life to go back to normal. Everything’s changed―new apartment, new school, new family dynamic―and Sol desperately wants to fit in. When she joins her community college’s history club, it comes with an odd initiation process: break into Westray’s oldest house and steal . . . a fork?

There’s just one problem: while the owners of the house aren’t home, their grandson Ethan is, and when he catches Sol with her hand in the kitchen drawer, she barely escapes with the fork intact. This one chance encounter irrevocably alters her life, and Sol soon learns that sometimes fitting in isn’t as important as being yourself―even if that’s the hardest thing she’s ever had to do.

LORD HELP ME: INSPIRING PRAYERS FOR EVERY DAY | Picture Book

by Emme Muñiz; Illus. by Brenda Figueroa (Crown Books for Young Readers)

We all have moments every day where we can use a little help. Some are small, like waking up for school or getting along with a sibling. Others are big, like helping to save the planet and all its creatures—especially sloths! But asking God for help always brings us the strength to get through anything. Emme Muñiz shares her own daily prayers to offer families a way to embrace the peace and power of everyday faith.