Book Review: 'Our Fair Share' by Sarah Marie Jette

Many authors, educators, and parents agree that before entering adolescence, children are at their most impressionable age; they absorb the world as it is presented to them. So, it is important that they learn about themselves and society through compassionate, respectful, and encouraging lenses. Sarah Marie Jette knows this, and it is evident by the cheerful, loving world she creates in Our Fair Share, a story that follows four friends who are dealing with their own battles while trying to save the fair they love. 

The story follows Cassi, Serafina, James, and Avory in a multiple-POV, close-third narration style that allows readers to get to know each character deeply. The narrator’s voice subtly shifts when following each character, which enhances the differences in their personalities. Cassi is a girl who likes all things spooky. She’s an artistic, independent, and sensitive kid who deals with an estranged relationship with her father after a rumor about him spreads. Serafina is a caring, compassionate girl who struggles with PTSD symptoms after a car accident. She’s creative and loves writing fortunes for the fair’s visitors and helping her friends. James is a boy who is a master with thread. He’s a crafty, hardworking, and kind kid who hasn’t told anyone about being bullied at his new school. Avory is a child with willpower. They’re observant, quirky, and strong, both physically and mentally, but they have an insecurity about their body.

“[Jette] crafts a world where kids are allowed to make mistakes and encouraged to face the lessons that come with them; a world where growth is inevitable. ”

The friends are experiencing individual change, but so is the fair—thanks to the new fair manager, Mr. Mercier. He’s setting new rules, and the children are not fans of this. Why must everything change? Jette masterfully portrays the middle schooler’s experience by showing how quickly our bodies, minds, and relationships change during this time, how our rituals might not fit us anymore and the emotional toll this can have on us. Not only does she write Cassi, Serafina, James, and Avory with unique, complex personalities and struggles, but she also gives them (and us) the perfect antagonist for this story: a boring adult. Mr. Mercier is an outsider, someone who doesn’t understand the fair’s traditions that are so precious to the fair folk, especially the children. Does this make him evil? To the four friends, yes (and maybe to most readers as well). 

But not all adults are antagonists in this story. Jette’s compassionate approach to characterization spreads to the kids’ parents as well. The most touching moments in this novel are those in which the children go to their parents for comfort, and they receive it. There was so much love on the page, that warmth would fill my chest every time. Cassi, Serafina, James, and Avory have peculiar interests, and each of their parents support this. Their support is not superficial either, they’re invested in letting their kids explore these unique parts of themselves. Cassi’s dad helps her hunt for treasures (even if the treasures are skeletons), Serafina’s mom encourages her to write more fortunes, James’s mom and big sister are proud of his knitting talent, and Avory’s parents never fail to remind them that they’re the strongest 12-year-old of the fair. However, even with all the love and support they receive, the children still hide their battles from their parents. 

The author knows this is the age when kids start hiding secrets from their parents (and even from their friends), and she does a brilliant job at showing how even the smallest of lies can have big consequences. The four friends grow apart as they face their issues, and the fair—with its lovely traditions and fun—suffers as a result. Jette creates characters that have some individual learning to do while emphasizing the importance of community in trying times. She crafts a world where kids are allowed to make mistakes and encouraged to face the lessons that come with them; a world where growth is inevitable. 

Our Fair Share is a story about community and love. It teaches us to celebrate our unique traits, rely on our loved ones, and embrace change as something positive. Sarah Marie Jette’s wonderful prose illuminates the page as if it was made of stars—or rather, fair lights.

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Sarah Marie Jette (she/her) is Mexican American and grew up in Lewiston, Maine, in a house filled with books. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, she served in the Peace Corps in Mongolia, studied rehabilitation counseling, and now teaches elementary school. Jette was honored as a semifinalist in the 2022 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year recognition. Her book, What the Wind Can Tell You (Islandport Press, 2018) was on the 2019 Massachusetts Book Awards Must Read List, received the 2018 Lupine Honor Award from the Maine Library Association, and was on the 2018 New England Children’s Booksellers Advisory Council’s Windows and Mirror’s List. When she's not teaching or writing, she's crafting with her three children or snuggling with her cats.

Roxanna Cardenas Colmenares is a Venezuelan-born writer and poet who was Latinx in Publishing’s Communications Intern in 2024. She’s a recipient of college awards like The Henry Roth Award in Fiction and The Esther Unger Poetry Prize. She also served as the editor-in-chief of the student publication, The Paper. Currently, she’s a senior editor for the literary journal, Promethean.

Most Anticipated May 2026 Releases

May is packed with exciting new releases, including a new title from our Middle Grade Work-In-Progress Fellow, Sarah Marrie Jette! Add Jette’s new book, Our Fair Share to your tbr, and then check out the rest of our list for more titles we are looking forward to picking up this month.

Hear Ye Mortals by Yamile Saied Méndez | YOUNG ADULTS

In 1976 Rosario, Argentina, brothers Daniel and Adrián Aguirre share a passion for music and a bond as best friends. However, under the authoritarian military government, artists and musicians are considered enemies of the state, even if they're just teenagers playing at home. When one of their songs unexpectedly gains popularity on the radio, Daniel and Adrián, along with their band Río Babel--comprised of children of immigrants from Spain, Palestine, and Germany--face a daunting choice.

They must decide whether to pursue their dream of becoming musicians or to remain silent to protect their families. Ready to challenge the military regime, their resolve is tested when one of their own goes missing.

This novel delves into the power of music in the fight for a better tomorrow, making it a compelling read for those who appreciate stories of courage, family, and the enduring spirit of resistance against a totalitarian regime.

The Game at the End of the World: Villainous Referees, Communist Bakers, the Secret Women's World Cup, and a Goalkeeper's Last Stand by Juan Villoro | Translated by Francisco Cantú | NONFICTION

Soccer (née football) fans will rejoice at this all-new volume of crackling essays from the author of God Is Round. Here, Juan Villoro explores the sport through the elements that make it the world's favorite pastime, from its ancient origins, near-mythic players, exhilarating matches, endemic rivalries, and the unlikely moments in which football has changed history.

As a prolific writer and chronicler of World Cup games around the world, Villoro draws on a rich cultural mosaic to inspire readers, players, and fans long after the final whistle blows. With a journalist's ear and a philosopher's outlook, he has produced a collection for curious newcomers and lifelong football buffs alike.

Please Don't Go by E. Salvador | FICTION

Josefine Resendiz is trying to survive the weight of grief while pretending her life hasn’t come to a complete standstill. She doesn’t know how to name what she’s feeling or how to fix what feels broken inside her. All she knows is that staying afloat is getting harder by the day.

Daniel Garcia looks like he has everything going for him. A gifted shortstop with a future everyone believes in, he carries himself with easy charm and quiet confidence. What no one sees is the guilt and loss he’s been carrying since his brother’s death, grief he’s learned to hide behind smiles and discipline.

That's until he stumbles upon Josefine on Christmas Day, by chance and at the wrong time, in a moment that was never meant to last. But some connections refuse to disappear. When their paths keep crossing, forgetting each other becomes impossible. Feelings surface. Defenses falter. Being together starts to feel like relief.

As they grow closer, they are forced to face the question neither of them is ready to answer: What happens when love arrives before healing does, and letting go feels just as terrifying as holding on?

Migrant Heart: Essays About Things I Can't Forget by Reyna Grande | NONFICTION

Reyna Grande has spent her career capturing the raw reality of life across borders. In this intricate and deeply intimate memoir-in-essays, the author of the landmark memoirs The Distance Between Us and A Dream Called Home again turns her gaze inward to explore the scars left by migration and the ongoing work of stitching herself back together.

With her signature blend of sophistication and raw honesty, Grande interrogates how living between two nations, two languages, and two identities has shaped the woman, mother, and writer she has become. Moving from the legacy of violence in her hometown of Iguala, Mexico, to a bittersweet family vacation in Europe spent reconciling her own impoverished past with her children’s world of abundance, she uncovers startling truths about the nature of survival.

Whether being racially profiled in the Arizona borderlands or finding unexpected wisdom from the slugs in her garden, Grande unflinchingly asks: How do we bridge the gap between who we were and who we have become? How do we turn pain into power? When memory threatens to define us, how can we use story to heal while still honoring our boundaries?

Our Fair Share by Sarah Marie Jette | MIDDLE GRADE

Seasonal work at the fairgrounds for most summers means Seraphina, James, Avory, and Cassi are all experienced in fair life. Beloved traditions keep the best friends plenty busy. For them, this is more than just a summer vacation in Knox County, Maine. These are the best months of the year. This is their fair.

But it seems like everyone is distracted. James is having trouble at his new school. Avory is feeling smaller than ever. Cassi just wants to be left alone, but that's hard when your dad is caught in a scandal that leads to more eyes on her that she's never dreamed of. And Seraphina is afraid she'll never get over the accident no one knows about. To make matters worse, there's a new fair manager - a community outsider - who seems determined to take away what is special about their fair. This summer is feeling a little too different. With two months ahead of them, the four friends need to find a way not just to survive their own inner turmoil, but to help their fair community thrive.

Tarantula by Eduardo Halfon | Translated by Daniel Hahn | FICTION

In 1984, Eduardo and his younger brother, living in exile for several years in the United States, travel back to their native Guatemala to participate in a Jewish children's camp in a remote forest of the highland mountains. They no longer know their homeland. They barely speak the language. Their parents had insisted that they spend a few days at the camp to learn not only ways of survival in the wild, but also ways of survival in the wild for Jewish children. It's not the same, they had been told. Upon their arrival, they are met with the promise of adventure. But early one morning, they are roused from bed and forced to play a sinister game they can't afford to lose.

Many years later, Eduardo, now a father himself and living in Berlin, happens upon a former campmate in Paris who connects him to Samuel Blum--the counselor who kept a snake in his pocket, had what a young Eduardo took for a tarantula crawling down his arm, and offers no apologies for the camp's disturbing methods.

The Chismosas Only Book Club by Laekan Zea Kemp | Illustrated by Heidi Moreno | MIDDLE GRADE

Cat, Sofia, Ana, and Mari are best friends. Nothing, nada, can break their bond. When Cat’s mom scolds them for their loud cackling at the bookstore, calling them a bunch of chismosas, the name sticks. Cat creates the The Chismosas Only Book Club, giving the girls a way to stay connected as they begin high school.

But ninth grade is hard, and it seems like no amount of conchas y libros y risas at Milagro’s Books, founded generations ago by Cat’s great-great-great-grandmother, can repair the ever-growing cracks in their friendship. But maybe the spirit of Milagro herself can . . .

Brimming with whimsy and heart, and woven with black-and-white graphic novel chapters, this enchanting book celebrates the magic of friendship, the embrace of ancestors, and the power of stories to hold us together.

May 2026 Latinx Releases

On Sale May 5

The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy by Angela Cervantes | CHILDREN’S

Diez Espada—named after the jersey number of his soccer-obsessed father’s favorite player, Lionel Messi—would rather be chasing clues than soccer balls. When the World Cup trophy disappears at a glitzy party in Miami, he’s suddenly at the center of the most thrilling match of his life—a race to find the trophy before it’s gone for good.

Teaming up with his crush, Rio, and the world-famous Detective Enzo, Diez dives headfirst into a one-night whirlwind of secret tunnels and a squad of suspicious suspects: a spoiled son of a Miami tycoon, a famous sportscaster, and even Rio's two prankster younger brothers.

The clock is ticking, the suspects are slippery, and the stadium lights are ready to shine. Will Diez find the trophy in time for the World Cup championship match?

The Game at the End of the World: Villainous Referees, Communist Bakers, the Secret Women's World Cup, and a Goalkeeper's Last Stand by Juan Villoro | Translated by Francisco Cantú | NONFICTION

Soccer (née football) fans will rejoice at this all-new volume of crackling essays from the author of God Is Round. Here, Juan Villoro explores the sport through the elements that make it the world's favorite pastime, from its ancient origins, near-mythic players, exhilarating matches, endemic rivalries, and the unlikely moments in which football has changed history.

As a prolific writer and chronicler of World Cup games around the world, Villoro draws on a rich cultural mosaic to inspire readers, players, and fans long after the final whistle blows. With a journalist's ear and a philosopher's outlook, he has produced a collection for curious newcomers and lifelong football buffs alike.

Oceans ABC by Jennifer Sutoski | Illustrated by David Rojas Marquez | CHILDREN’S

Dive into the wonders of the sea with Oceans ABC, the newest title in Taffy Tales’ best-selling Fun Flaps series. This interactive chunky board book introduces the alphabet through stunning, realistic artwork and sturdy lift-the-flap surprises, making learning letters an underwater adventure. From A is for Anchor to Z is for Zooplankton, each page reveals fascinating ocean creatures and hidden facts, engaging young readers while building vocabulary, letter recognition, and curiosity about the ocean.

Hear Ye Mortals by Yamile Saied Méndez | YOUNG ADULTS

In 1976 Rosario, Argentina, brothers Daniel and Adrián Aguirre share a passion for music and a bond as best friends. However, under the authoritarian military government, artists and musicians are considered enemies of the state, even if they're just teenagers playing at home. When one of their songs unexpectedly gains popularity on the radio, Daniel and Adrián, along with their band Río Babel--comprised of children of immigrants from Spain, Palestine, and Germany--face a daunting choice.

They must decide whether to pursue their dream of becoming musicians or to remain silent to protect their families. Ready to challenge the military regime, their resolve is tested when one of their own goes missing.

Manny Matches the Weather by Jenny Lacika | Illustrated by Antonieta Muñoz Estrada | CHILDREN’S

Join Manny in an exploration of temperature and weather, because STEAM is everywhere and for everyone!

Manny has style! But sometimes, Manny’s style does not match the weather. Can Manny learn to observe both the temperature and the weather to build outfits with fashion and function in mind?

Luz Makes a Splash by Claudia Dávila | MIDDLE GRADE

Residents of the city of Petroville are suffering through the hottest and driest summer on record. Desperate for a way to cool off, Luz and her friends head out to Spring Pond to go swimming. But when they arrive, they're shocked to discover that the pond has virtually disappeared! As it turns out, a multinational company has purchased the nearby land and is using the water to make their soda. Meanwhile, the community vegetable gardens in Friendship Park are withering - at risk of dying because of the lack of rain - and the city has imposed water restrictions. Luz and her friends are just kids, but is there anything they can do to help save two of Luz's favorite places?

Labrador Skies by Kayla Williams | Illustrated by Kayla Williams & Thamires Paredes | CHILDREN’S

Hush my sweet one, close your eyes, let me tell you a story of the Labrador skies.

This poem, written by Labrador Inuit author and illustrator Kayla Williams, takes readers on a lyrical journey through the skies of Labrador, showcasing all the beauty that makes "the Big Land" unique.

From snowmobiles gliding through quiet forests to the snowy crunch of skin boots on the ice, the sights and sensations of Labrador are lovingly recreated for young readers.

This is our home of Labrador, the most beautiful place we could be.

When We Go Home by Heather Beaumont| Illustrated by Nátali de Mello | CHILDREN’S

Marlee's parents are excited. "We are going back home!" they tell her and her brother. "Not my home," Marlee says. She knows the island is where her mum and dad grew up, and that she and her brother will get to do lots of fun things when they visit. But she's never been there. And though her dad says a person can have two home countries, Marlee isn't sure she believes him. But slowly, the warm welcome from her large, loving family, the coconut water she drinks on the beach and the many other delights she discovers on the island, from pigs on the beach to music at bedtime, help Marlee see that what her dad says is true.

Summer in the City by Alex Aster | FICTION

Twenty-seven-year-old screenwriter Elle has the chance of a lifetime to write a big-budget movie set in New York City. The only problem? She’s had writer’s block for months, and her screenplay is due at the end of the summer. 

In a desperate attempt at inspiration, Elle ends up back in the city she swore she would never return to, in an apartment she could never afford (floor-to-ceiling windows, skyline views, and a new coffee shop to haunt included). It’s the perfect place to write her screenplay…until she realizes her new neighbor is tech “Billionaire Bachelor” Parker Warren, her stairwell hookup from two years ago. It’s been a lovers-to-enemies situation ever since. 

When seeing him again turns into a full night of hate-fueled writing, Elle realizes her enemy/twisted muse might just be the key to finishing her screenplay... if she can stand being around her polar opposite. She writes anonymously, and he’s on the cover of every business magazine. He frequents fancy red carpeted events, and she doesn’t like leaving her emotional support five block radius. 

One summer. One wall apart. He needs to fake a buzzy relationship during his company’s precarious acquisition. She needs to write a movie around a list of NYC locations. Both need a break from their unrelenting schedules, and a chance to rediscover the skyscraper glimmering, pizza crusted, sunlit charms of the city.  

Summers always end, and so will this agreement. It’s all pretend. Promise. 

Until it isn’t.

Pink Tongue Out, Blind Cat by Maria Paz Guerrero | Translated by Robin Myers | POETRY

In María Paz Guerrero's Pink Tongue Out, Blind Cat, unnamed bodies are cut open in search of disease, legs buckle and collapse under pressure, and a blind cat stalks its way through the collection, bumping into unseen objects along the way. María Paz Guerrero's poetry collection is both experimental and lyrical, drawing readers into its eerily clipped, ever beguiling rhythm.

On Sale May 12

Canícula / Dog Days by William Archila | Translated by Mario Zetino | POETRY

William Archila's Canícula / Dog Days is a bilingual selection of his first two books of poetry, The Art of Exile and The Gravedigger's Archaeology, two collections that chart the emergence of a newcomer in the chorus of Latin Poetry. Canícula, which means "dog days" in English, takes the reader on a poignant journey from the unrest in El Salvador in the 1980s to the urban landscape of the US immigrant, revealing the turmoil and memory of the disempowered, the impoverished, and the displaced who struggle back home in Central America. In lyrical and often harrowing language, Archila unearths the vestiges of war and the exile's return in an elegy, the fragments of a myth, or a jazz riff. They come together like the bilateral symmetry of a volcano, and the result is the introduction to Archila's poetry for the Spanish reader.

Migrant Heart: Essays About Things I Can't Forget by Reyna Grande | NONFICTION

Reyna Grande has spent her career capturing the raw reality of life across borders. In this intricate and deeply intimate memoir-in-essays, the author of the landmark memoirs The Distance Between Us and A Dream Called Home again turns her gaze inward to explore the scars left by migration and the ongoing work of stitching herself back together.

With her signature blend of sophistication and raw honesty, Grande interrogates how living between two nations, two languages, and two identities has shaped the woman, mother, and writer she has become. Moving from the legacy of violence in her hometown of Iguala, Mexico, to a bittersweet family vacation in Europe spent reconciling her own impoverished past with her children’s world of abundance, she uncovers startling truths about the nature of survival.

The Last Page by Katie Holt | FICTION

Ella has grown up at The Last Page, a charming local bookstore in New York City where she now works. Her first kiss was in the women’s health section. A boyfriend dumped her in comedy. The owner is like a second father to her and has begun training her to take over the store. So when he unexpectedly dies and his estranged grandson is left everything in the will, Ella is devastated. 

Henry doesn’t know the first thing about running a bookstore. With his aging mom back in Tennessee, he plans to stay in New York just long enough to ensure things are running smoothly and then head back home. What he never could have counted on was the beautiful, funny bookseller who loves The Last Page more than any place in the world—and who sees him as the villain who’s come to ruin her life.

But when it becomes evident that the store is in deep financial trouble and Henry and Ella are both at risk of losing everything, they have no choice but to put their differences aside and team up—despite the inconvenient chemistry blossoming between them. 

Our Fair Share by Sarah Marie Jette | MIDDLE GRADE

Seasonal work at the fairgrounds for most summers means Seraphina, James, Avory, and Cassi are all experienced in fair life. Beloved traditions keep the best friends plenty busy. For them, this is more than just a summer vacation in Knox County, Maine. These are the best months of the year. This is their fair.

But it seems like everyone is distracted. James is having trouble at his new school. Avory is feeling smaller than ever. Cassi just wants to be left alone, but that's hard when your dad is caught in a scandal that leads to more eyes on her that she's never dreamed of. And Seraphina is afraid she'll never get over the accident no one knows about. To make matters worse, there's a new fair manager - a community outsider - who seems determined to take away what is special about their fair. This summer is feeling a little too different. With two months ahead of them, the four friends need to find a way not just to survive their own inner turmoil, but to help their fair community thrive.

Please Don't Go by E. Salvador | FICTION

Josefine Resendiz is trying to survive the weight of grief while pretending her life hasn’t come to a complete standstill. She doesn’t know how to name what she’s feeling or how to fix what feels broken inside her. All she knows is that staying afloat is getting harder by the day.

Daniel Garcia looks like he has everything going for him. A gifted shortstop with a future everyone believes in, he carries himself with easy charm and quiet confidence. What no one sees is the guilt and loss he’s been carrying since his brother’s death, grief he’s learned to hide behind smiles and discipline.

That's until he stumbles upon Josefine on Christmas Day, by chance and at the wrong time, in a moment that was never meant to last. But some connections refuse to disappear. When their paths keep crossing, forgetting each other becomes impossible. Feelings surface. Defenses falter. Being together starts to feel like relief.

As they grow closer, they are forced to face the question neither of them is ready to answer: What happens when love arrives before healing does, and letting go feels just as terrifying as holding on?

On Sale May 19

I'm Gonna Get You Back by Eva Des Lauriers | YOUNG ADULT

Reid Rousseau has always been a winner. Now, he's a former state champion runner with an injury no one can know about and a college scholarship on the line. When he’s invited as the guest of honor for Legacy Weekend, a competitive tradition that welcomes high school alumni back to their small mountain town, Reid would rather run away than face his crumbling future—and the girl who broke his heart.

Clara Suarez’s legacy can’t be failure. A year out of high school and aimless, she has one last shot at getting into her dream film school: creating a Legacy Weekend video interviewing her former classmates—including Reid, her ex—about their explosive senior year and the scandal that capped it off. But any time people return to the mountain, drama follows . . . especially when an anonymous social media account starts airing everyone's dirty laundry.

Reid isn’t the only one hiding something, and Clara isn’t the only one with regrets. Their spark is still strong enough to set off a wildfire, but their secrets might just tear them apart for good.

Tarantula by Eduardo Halfon | Translated by Daniel Hahn | FICTION

In 1984, Eduardo and his younger brother, living in exile for several years in the United States, travel back to their native Guatemala to participate in a Jewish children's camp in a remote forest of the highland mountains. They no longer know their homeland. They barely speak the language. Their parents had insisted that they spend a few days at the camp to learn not only ways of survival in the wild, but also ways of survival in the wild for Jewish children. It's not the same, they had been told. Upon their arrival, they are met with the promise of adventure. But early one morning, they are roused from bed and forced to play a sinister game they can't afford to lose.

Many years later, Eduardo, now a father himself and living in Berlin, happens upon a former campmate in Paris who connects him to Samuel Blum--the counselor who kept a snake in his pocket, had what a young Eduardo took for a tarantula crawling down his arm, and offers no apologies for the camp's disturbing methods.

Running Home to You by Samantha Saldivar | FICTION

When Abby Cruz transfers to Insley University and joins the softball team, it seems the only thing she and Kate Hutchins have in common is their love of the game. Abby’s raw talent and reckless behavior threaten Kate’s carefully controlled world, especially when their coach assigns Kate the unwelcome task of tutoring her rival.

As they learn to work together, they discover their differences are exactly what they’ve been missing off the field. Kate provides Abby with a sense of home after loss and grief. Abby, meanwhile, helps Kate embrace a freedom she’s never known because of her strict religious upbringing. As they chase a national title, it’s not long before the same love they have for the game grows for each other.

But much like on the diamond, their relationship requires perfect timing. While they try and fail to get it right over the next decade, the game keeps bringing them back together—from Puerto Rico to Tokyo, through courtrooms, churches, and Las Vegas casinos—as they fight to shake the weight of generational curses. But when an alumni game returns them to their college field, they must decide if it’s really the love of the game calling them home, or the one in their hearts that they’ve never been able to let go of.

What Science Says about Astrology by Carlos Orsi | NONFICTION

For thousands of years, people have believed that the configuration of stars and planets in the sky influences earthly events. Today, astrology is a lucrative global market, with newspaper columns, mobile apps, and professional counselors weighing in on everything from love life to health to the stock market. Yet scientific evidence shows indisputably that it is simply superstition. Why does astrology appeal to so many people? What makes its prognostications seem persuasive? Is there any harm to believing in astrology anyway?

This book aims a scientific lens at astrology, from its colorful history to experimental tests of its predictions through the social and psychological factors that explain its enduring popularity. Carlos Orsi explores the importance of astrology to the history of science and the reasons it has been categorized as a pseudoscience. He investigates its tenets, recounting how scientists debunked common claims. With both empathy and skepticism, Orsi illuminates the psychological, rhetorical, and emotional mechanisms that cause people to find astrological predictions convincing. He also addresses the dangers of irrational beliefs and the risks of applying astrology to serious decisions. Wide-ranging and entertaining, this book offers a critical look at the modern appeal of an ancient superstition.

The Dumped Truck by Daniel Bernstrom | Illustrated by Marcelo Verdad | CHILDREN’S

Welcome to Toyville, where Dump Truck does his work. His dirty work. Dump Truck cleans, fixes, and dumps stuff because—hey!—it’s his job.

But the other toys can’t stand Dump’s less-than-tidy appearance.

So they make a new rule: NO DIRTY DUMP TRUCKS.

When Dump Truck gets dumped, what will he—and the other toys—do? 

Find out in this funny yet thoughtful tale about working together and proving that there’s nothing wrong with getting a little dirty.

Honeybird Blue by Taunya English | Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa | CHILDREN’S

Can you spot two early birds EARbirding on a father-daughter nature walk?

With each chirp and cheep, Honeybird ticks off a color on her birding adventure list:

Yellow. Tick!

Green. Tick!

But where’s Blue? Honeybird has never seen Blue. Not ever!

With her budding outdoor skills, a bit of patience, and encouragement from Pop, today could finally be the day.

On Sale May 26

We Could Be Anyone by Anna-Marie McLemore | YOUNG ADULT

Lola and Lisandro are actors during Hollywood’s Golden Age, but you won’t see them on any silver screen. Instead, these siblings use their talents to scam the rich and famous out of their ill-begotten cash. They have their act down to a science: Lola plays the tragic ghost who haunts the mansions of the wealthy, and Lisandro plays the brave spiritualist who will help her soul find peace. For a small fee, of course.

The siblings have their sights set on their next target: The Coterie, the opulent estate of newspaper tycoon Bixby Fairfax and his famous mistress Blythe Bell. A score this big will allow them to move… well, anywhere but here. But this job requires them to do something they’ve never done before: switch roles. And as strange things keep happening at The Coterie… things that even Lola and Lisandro can’t explain.

As they are drawn deeper into The Coterie’s gleaming façade and tensions rise between brother and sister, one question looms over them. Will they be able to pull off their act? Or will this be their last performance?

Music, Plants, Hope by Tonnye Fletcher | Illustrated by Natalia Bruno | CHILDREN’S

In the Spring of 2020, a pandemic shut down public places around the globe, including concert halls and theaters.

Eugenio Ampudia, a Spanish artist, was inspired by nature during the quarantine and brought art, music, and nature together in a grand theater.

He worked with plant nurseries and theater management at the Liceu Theatre in Barcelona, Spain to create a "Concert for the Biocene.”

Local nursery workers brought 2,292 plants to fill the theater for this special concert.

This is the story of that remarkable event.

Camp Big Top by Alexandra Diaz | MIDDLE GRADE

Mario has been banished, to circus camp of all places, after stealing his parents’ credit card.

Luna is an aerial artist, but her body seems to have grown curvier overnight, making it harder to perform on the silks.

Ricky is destined to be a stilt-walking star, but his attention span keeps him from safely learning the basics.

Betina has a natural talent for clowning comedy, so long as no one is watching her.

When the landlord threatens to close down Camp Big Top forever, these four kids must join forces to save it. But first, they will have to build trust in each other…and in themselves.

The Chismosas Only Book Club by Laekan Zea Kemp | Illustrated by Heidi Moreno | MIDDLE GRADE

Cat, Sofia, Ana, and Mari are best friends. Nothing, nada, can break their bond. When Cat’s mom scolds them for their loud cackling at the bookstore, calling them a bunch of chismosas, the name sticks. Cat creates the The Chismosas Only Book Club, giving the girls a way to stay connected as they begin high school.

But ninth grade is hard, and it seems like no amount of conchas y libros y risas at Milagro’s Books, founded generations ago by Cat’s great-great-great-grandmother, can repair the ever-growing cracks in their friendship. But maybe the spirit of Milagro herself can . . .

How to Love You When You’re Gone by Gabriela Gonzales | YOUNG ADULT

High school senior Mayte has never been kissed, but it hardly matters. Her abuelita has cancer, her half sister with special needs has moved in, and college is off the table--family comes first. She keeps her problems to herself; why burden everyone she loves with more?

Meanwhile, fellow senior Auggie is set on attending an elite creative writing program. But as the self-proclaimed most boring person alive, he can't exactly write the next great American novel when he's struggling to write a short story for college applications.

After an awful blind date ("disaster" doesn't even begin to describe it), Mayte and Auggie never want to see each other again. When forced together by their merging social circles, the pair must at least pretend to get along...but soon they develop actual feelings. Then tragedy strikes Mayte's family. Auggie feels compelled to write her story to help her process and heal--but are his intentions truly selfless? The best story he's ever written could impact the best friendships he's ever had.

A Room with a View by Joanna Ho | Illustrated by Thaís Mesquita | CHILDREN’S

Mama’s decided it’s time for their next big outdoor adventure, but Oliver’s not so sure.

He's no fan of bazillion-mile, brain-melting car rides, sleeping someplace with bears, bugs, and bats, or the sticky, icky food! Blech!

Mama may be convinced that memories are best made outdoors, but Oliver’s determined to make this adventure his last. But is it all that bad? After hide n’ seek, hiking, and s’mores, Oliver realizes that there just might be fun times and unforgettable moments to treasure after all.

Just a Shell . . . or Is It? by Becca McMurdie | Illustrated by Paola Escobar | CHILDREN’S

A seashell is just a seashell . . . or is it? To a clam, it's a door. To an octopus, it's a shield. To a young child, it's a treasure! A place to play or a home for critters, the beach can be so many things!

And there are so many other exciting things to find hidden in sand dunes and between waves--all it takes is a little shift in perspective.

Perfect for boardwalk strolls, lazy days on beach towels, or in a classroom or a playroom.

Author Q&A: ‘¡Viva Valenzuela!’ by Nathalie Alonso and Illustrated by John Parra

¡Viva Valenzuela! by Nathalie Alonso kicks off on April 9, 1981 — Opening Day for the Los Angeles Dodgers. A big day for fans of the professional baseball team, sure. “But for many Mexican American and Latino families across the city, it was just another Thursday,” Alonso writes.

The team gave the ball to rookie pitcher Fernando Valenzuela. The native of Mexico was only 20 years old and not very familiar to fans. But Fernando’s teammate was injured, and the Dodgers needed his help. The rookie spun a screwball for nine innings and helped the team beat the Houston Astros 2-0. It was the start of what’s known as “Fernandomania.”

With gorgeous art from Pura Belpré Honoree John Parra, ¡Viva Valenzuela! (out now from Calkins Creek) tells the story of this phenomenon and what Valenzuela meant for Mexican and Mexican Americans in LA. Alonso, an award-winning baseball journalist, employed her expert knowledge in the sport to craft a meaningful story about how one man created a sensation that reverberated through one city. It is also a beautiful story about the power of representation to validate one’s identity and foster belonging.

Alonso spoke with Latinx in Publishing about her new picture book, “Fernandomania,” and representation. ¡Viva Valenzuela! is also available in Spanish.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Amaris Castillo: Congratulations on ¡Viva Valenzuela! How did this book come about?

Nathalie Alonso: When I started writing books for children, I worked in baseball at the time. You do market research when you’re writing books to see what’s out there, and what’s not. And I noticed that there wasn’t a book at the time about Fernando Valenzuela. I said, How could that be? Because of the place he occupies in baseball history, Los Angeles history, Mexican sports history. So I said, Well, I think I need to fix that. That was the motivation, just finding that there wasn’t a book for children about this incredible man.

AC: You describe Opening Day in 1981 at Dodgers Stadium so vividly. As an author, what elements of that moment were important for you to point out?

NA: That’s a very famous moment in Dodgers history. Fernando was not supposed to pitch on that day, but his teammate’s injured, so he’s given the ball. He was a rookie; he pitched in relief the year before out of the bullpen in 1980, but this was his first start. He shows up, people don’t know much about him, and he just dominates. It was the beginning of this incredible streak he had. And so that’s a very famous moment that kind of begins what is known as “Fernandomania.”

“He was just there to be himself. And look at what he accomplished without having to change anything about who he was. ”

AC: Can you describe your research for this book? Was there anything about Fernando’s life that surprised you the most?

NA: The story of Fernandomania is very well-documented. Fernando was a very private person, though, so it was a challenge to find sources that explained what was going on in his mind at the time. There was also a language barrier, so when he comes up he speaks Spanish, but the media is in English — so there isn’t that much press coverage of him speaking Spanish. So that was challenging. There is an ESPN “30 for 30” documentary called “Fernando Nation” that I watched multiple times, because that was Fernando speaking — not in real time, but in hindsight. That was a way to get into his head a little bit.

In terms of what surprised me — this didn’t make it into the book — but I wrote an article for MLB.com at the time for which I spoke to Fernando’s teammates about Fernandomania. And they talked about just what a joker Fernando was in the clubhouse. I didn’t find a natural way to fit that into the book, but it was a cool thing for me to learn about him — that he was a prankster and a jokester behind the scenes.

AC: One of the biggest themes I took from this story is the importance of representation for Mexican Americans to see Fernando Valenzuela on the field. What was it like to capture that on the page for young readers?

NA: I didn’t want it to be generic. I wanted it to be very true to the way the specific community reacted to that representation, if that makes sense. For example, one of the things that I think is really cool is that Mexican artists wrote songs about him. They’re called corridos. And people prayed for him. 

The construction of Dodger Stadium really divided the Latino community. The land that Dodger Stadium sits on is called Chavez Ravine. There were many Mexican and Mexican American families who lived there, and that land was cleared to make room for a housing project that was never built. That’s in the back matter (of the book). That land gets sold to build Dodger Stadium, so there’s this rift with the Latino community. Then someone like Fernando comes along. I wouldn’t say that he fixed what happened, because that’s a very simplistic explanation, but I do think he helped that community heal.

AC: What do you hope readers take away from your book?

NA: The most powerful lesson in this book actually came from another writer. Her name is Gloria Day. A few years ago I was in an online workshop at the Highlights Foundation, which is now Boyds Mills, and she was facilitating a session of peer critiques. She read the manuscript, and she said, You know what? This is a story about the magic that happens when you just show up and be yourself. I hadn’t even considered that myself when I was writing, but now I think about it all the time. Fernando wasn’t trying. He even said he didn’t know the history of Dodger Stadium and Chavez Ravine. He didn’t show up there like, I’m going to be a hero. He was just there to pitch. He’s just there to pitch and be himself. He didn’t look like a traditional Major League pitcher looked like at the time. He wasn’t tall. He wasn’t fit like all these guys. He was just there to be himself. And look at what he accomplished without having to change anything about who he was. That’s what I hope readers will take away.

---

Nathalie Alonso is a Cuban American bilingual writer and journalist based in New York City. A seasoned baseball reporter, her writing has appeared in National Geographic, Outside, and Refinery29, among other outlets. She was a reporter and producer at MLB.com’s Spanish-language sister site, MLB Español. Visit nathaliealonso.com.

John Parra is an award-winning artist, illustrator, author, and educator, best known for his Latino themed children’s picture books. His illustrations for Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos, written by Monica Brown, was a New York Times Best Illustrated Book, and Green Is a Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors by Roseanne Thong, received a Pura Belpré Honor and the Américas Book Award.

Amaris Castillo is an award-winning journalist and writer. Her debut book, Bodega Stories, will be published on Sept. 8, 2026 from the University Press of Florida.

Joint Press Statement - Stop the Federal Book Ban Bill!

We stand alongside over 100 grassroots and national advocacy organizations, publishers, booksellers, parent groups, and professional associations in opposition to H.R. 7661. 

Use the EveryLibrary action center to urge your representative to vote NO, or better, yet, to not take it up for a vote. https://tinyurl.com/hapf2m9r

Statement in Opposition to H.R. 7661

The freedom to speak and to read is a fundamental principle of the United States of America. That is why we have joined together — parents, students, educators, library workers, authors, free expression advocates, booksellers, and publishers — to stand in support of our nation’s school-aged children and teens and in opposition to H.R. 7661. 

H.R. 7661, if passed, will compel nationwide book censorship. It confuses obscenity with identity and stigmatizes vulnerable young people, particularly trans children and teens, based on who they are. It will continue to drain funding from our already underfunded schools and libraries. And it will threaten the creativity and critical thinking that are vital to education in the U.S.

A core principle of democracy, freedom, and liberty is that the government does not choose what people get to read and who they get to be. This country has a long history of protecting our freedoms. H.R. 7661 goes against this.

Together, we say that this bill goes against the U.S. Constitution, local self-determination, access to books, and a society that is welcoming for everyone, no matter who they are. Our schools deserve better than this. Our children and teens — all of them, without exception — deserve better than this.  

We urge the U.S. House of Representatives to vote NO on H.R. 7661 or, better yet, to not take it up for a vote at all.

ALL INITIAL SIGNERS:

Abrams

Aevitas Creative Management

Air and Nothingness Press

All4Ed

American Booksellers Association

American Library Association

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Annie's Foundation

Association for Rural & Small Libraries

Association of University Presses

Astra Publishing House

Atlas Books

Atthis Arts

Au Literary Management

Authors Against Book Bans

Azantian Literary Agency

Banned Books Box

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The Bookdragon’s Lair

Book Ferret

Book Manufacturers' Institute

Book Moon

Books on Main

Boston Comic Arts Foundation

Bradford Literary Agency

Bubba's Books

California Independent Booksellers Alliance

California Public Library Advocates

Candlewick Press

Chapter2 Books

Charlesbridge 

Children’s Book Council

Coffee House Press

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

Dog Eared Rights and Licensing, LLC

Duck's Cottage Coffee & Books

Dystel, Goderich & Bourret LLC

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

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EveryLibrary

Fact & Fiction Books

Fiction Bookshop

Florida Freedom to Read Project

Folklore Publishing 

Foofaraw Press

Frances Goldin Literary Agency

Freedom to Read Project

Freedom to Read SC

Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency

GLAAD

Holiday House Publishing 

The Horn Book

Independent Book Publishers Association

Just Us Books, Inc.

Kidsbuzz

Kirkus Reviews

KT Literary, LLC.

lala books

Latinx Kidlit Book Festival

Laura Gross Literary Agency

Lee & Low Books

Levine Querido

Library Journal

Libro.fm

Little Bee Books

Live Oak Media

Livingston Parish Library Alliance

Longfellow Books

Louisiana Citizens Against Censorship

MacGregor & Luedeke Collaborative

Macmillan Publishers

Marsal Lyon Literary Agency

Midwest Independent Booksellers Association

Military Families for Free Expression

Moonstone & Mist Bookshop

Morgan Hill Bookstore

Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association

National Coalition Against Censorship

National Council of Teachers of English

New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association

The New Press

New England Independent Booksellers Association

New Leaf Literary & Media

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Nosy Crow

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Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association

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PFLAG

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Postcard Bookshop

Publishers Spotlight

Publishers Weekly

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Rainy Day Paperback Exchange

Read Freely Alabama 

READERS to EATERS

RED COMET PRESS, LLC

River & Hill Books

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School Board Integrity Project

School Library Journal

Shelf Life Books

Simon & Schuster

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

Sourcebooks

Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance

Spoke & Word Books

Students Engaged in Advancing Texas

Texas Freedom to Read Project

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The Lynx Books

Texas FReadom Fighters

Uncle Hugo's Science Fiction Bookstore

United States Board on Books for Young People

University Press of Colorado

Vagabond Books, LLC

Water Street Bookstore, Inc.

We Need Diverse Books

Weller Book Works

Whitelam Books

Most Anticipated April 2026 Releases

There are many great Latinx titles releasing this month! Check out the list below for some of the books we’re most excited to get our hands on.

This Never Happened by Mempo Giardinelli | Translated by Rhonda Dahl Buchanan | FICTION

In this autobiographical novel, a journalist witnesses the hot-off-the -presses editions of his own books thrown onto a bonfire of books. The date is March 24th, 1976, the day of the coup d'etat that led to the overthrow of the Isabel Peron presidency in Argentina and 18 years of terror known as "La Guerra sucia" or " The Dirty Wars" in which 30,000 plus are still unaccounted for.

Fearful for his life and those of his wife and children, the narrator must find a way to navigate the highly volatile and murderous world under the boot of La Junta, in hopes of saving himself and his family; but first he has more important business to attend to--his mistress, with whom he's been having a scorching love affair-- and finds himself grappling with several major dilemmas and very real dangers confronting him as he works his way out of this lethal maze.

Fruitcake: A Graphic Novel by Rex Ogle | Illustrated by Dave Valeza | YOUNG ADULT

Eighth grade isn't off to a great start. Everyone but Rex seems to be coupling up, and he's starting to feel like an outsider... until he meets Charlotte. She's fearless, smart, pretty, and she likes him back. But as great as Charlotte is, there's someone else Rex can't stop thinking about.

Drew is Rex's childhood best friend, so when he kisses Rex, all kinds of new feelings begin to stir. Though at school, Drew acts like he doesn't even know Rex, making those feelings turn really confusing really fast. And with all the strong opinions Rex hears from friends and at church, he questions his own worth and what his affections actually mean. Rex wants to be more like his new friend, Nina, and not care what others think, but being himself seems impossible. When did middle school get so confusing?!

Lucía's Goals / Los Goles de Lucía by Angela Quezada Padron | Illustrated by Christina Barragan Forshay | CHILDREN”S

Whenever Lucía played soccer, she imagined herself as a professional futbolista. She sprinted and dribbled, headed and juggled, zigged and zagged, kicked her best kicks, and scored "Goal!" after "Goal!" After finally getting the chance to join an all-female soccer team, Lucía set her sights on becoming the best goal scorer anyone had ever seen.

Told in English and Spanish, Lucía's Goals / Los goles de Lucía is a rousing story about a young girl's determination to defy gender stereotypes and break through barriers. Lucía's story will inspire readers of all ages to take charge on and off the field to achieve their GOALS!

Imagine Breaking Everything by Lina Munar Guevara | Translated by Ellen Jones | FICTION

It's a rainy weekend in Bogotá, and eighteen-year-old Melissa is about to graduate from school. If, that is, she can scrape together the money to pay for the printer she broke. Melissa used to break a lot of things, but after five years of living with her aunt Anahí, she has become much better at controlling her anger. Then, out of the blue and for the first time in six months, Melissa's mother calls her and invites her to spend the weekend together in their old neighbourhood. Melissa is excited to spend time with her, but nervous about returning to the scene of her troubled early adolescence. Will she make it to Monday morning without jeopardising her future - or being swallowed up by her past?

Forgive-Me-Not by Mari Costa | Graphic Novel

Aisling is many things to many people: princess, heir to the throne, teenage daughter of two loving parents… She’s also about to learn a lot more about herself: changeling. Fey creature. Hunted. Feared. Loved?

Forgive-Me-Not is the name given to the true princess — the lost teenage biological daughter to the king and queen, who’s grown up in the chaotic and untrustworthy realm of Faerie. When Forgive-Me-Not breaks into Aisling’s room the night before their 18th birthday looking for revenge, the two embark on a long and arduous journey. And what starts as a confrontational and adversarial pairing grows into a bond of mutual understanding, friendship, and maybe something more…

Last Night in Brooklyn by Xochitl Gonzalez | FICTION

SPRING, 2007

At twenty-six, Alicia Canales Forten feels smothered by her future. She’s in a long-distance relationship, living at home with her mother’s beliefs, saving up for her wedding to a future doctor. But after Alicia ventures out one night in the neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn, she finds herself lured by the siren song of youth and possibility that the striving crowd of creatives holds, and moves in.

No one embodies this milieu more than La Garza, a larger-than-life, up-and-coming fashion designer whose epic house parties fuel neighborhood lore. La Garza’s life, observed by Alicia from her apartment across the street, seems to hold the allure and fearlessness Alicia has never dared to imagine for herself.

But when Alicia’s wealthy banker cousin moves to the neighborhood, she finds herself increasingly drawn into both his and La Garza’s precarious lives.

Exemplary Humans by Juliana Leite | Translated by Zoë Perry | FICTION

Ever since the unnamed threat took over, 100-year-old Natália has been stuck inside her Rio de Janeiro apartment, alone. Well, not entirely alone--her loved ones may be gone but they never really left her, plus she's pretty sure there's a spy watching her every move through the window.

As she waits for the daily call from her daughter who lives halfway across the world, the old woman revisits scenes from her life. There's her husband Vicente who obsessively erased maps of Brazil; her best friend Sarah, the cookie seller; Jorge who gave tarot readings for both humans and birds; and the comrades who joined her in resisting Brazil's dictatorship, at least until they were forced into hiding. Exemplary Humans is an ambitious novel about the quirks of memory and the delights and horror of aging.

April 2026 Latinx Releases

On Sale April 7

This Never Happened by Mempo Giardinelli | Translated by Rhonda Dahl Buchanan | FICTION

In this autobiographical novel, a journalist witnesses the hot-off-the -presses editions of his own books thrown onto a bonfire of books. The date is March 24th, 1976, the day of the coup d'etat that led to the overthrow of the Isabel Peron presidency in Argentina and 18 years of terror known as "La Guerra sucia" or " The Dirty Wars" in which 30,000 plus are still unaccounted for.

Fearful for his life and those of his wife and children, the narrator must find a way to navigate the highly volatile and murderous world under the boot of La Junta, in hopes of saving himself and his family; but first he has more important business to attend to--his mistress, with whom he's been having a scorching love affair-- and finds himself grappling with several major dilemmas and very real dangers confronting him as he works his way out of this lethal maze.

Against Breaking: On the Power of Poetry by Ada Limón | NONFICTION

Ada Limón—celebrated poet laureate and 2023 MacArthur fellow—takes us on an inspiring journey into a world where poetry is both a soothing balm for the soul and a spark for transformation. With her blend of accessible yet profound prose, Limón delivers a powerful message: poetry has the ability to heal, connect, and remind us of our shared humanity.

Limón’s mission to make poetry approachable shines brightly in this slim but impactful book. Recognized as a 2024 Time magazine Woman of the Year for her commitment to bringing poetry into everyday lives, Limón passionately argues that poetry is essential to understanding ourselves—our tenderness, courage, imperfections, and our deep, unshakable worthiness of love.

Drawing from her own experiences as the 24th US poet laureate, Limón shares how poetry connects us not only to each other but to the natural world. This theme is at the heart of her project You Are Here, which celebrates the beauty of our environment and our place in it. Her prose, like her poetry, feels like an open invitation—welcoming readers of all backgrounds to explore the richness of human experience through verse.

Lucía's Goals / Los Goles de Lucía by Angela Quezada Padron | Illustrated by Christina Barragan Forshay | CHILDREN”S

Whenever Lucía played soccer, she imagined herself as a professional futbolista. She sprinted and dribbled, headed and juggled, zigged and zagged, kicked her best kicks, and scored "Goal!" after "Goal!" After finally getting the chance to join an all-female soccer team, Lucía set her sights on becoming the best goal scorer anyone had ever seen.

Told in English and Spanish, Lucía's Goals / Los goles de Lucía is a rousing story about a young girl's determination to defy gender stereotypes and break through barriers. Lucía's story will inspire readers of all ages to take charge on and off the field to achieve their GOALS!

More Like Enemigas by Stephanie Hope | FICTION

As the daughter of Cuban immigrants, Isabella Valdes knows three things for certain:

• her late father's restaurant is thriving

• she owns lots of designer things

• both of those statements are absolute lies to make her mother happy

Isabella would do anything to keep her father's legacy alive, including attending her estranged cousin's weeklong wedding extravaganza. Because once Sofia's wealthy fiancé tastes the recipes Isa prepares from her father's cherished journal, he's sure to invest.

To Isa's annoyance, she'll be sharing a cabin with Valentina, the former friend turned rival who ruined her quinceañera. But Val is offering an unexpected deal--she'll help Isa unravel an old family secret found in her father's journal in return for help sabotaging the wedding and winning the heart of the bride.

Saying yes is a bad idea. Isa's perfectionism meets its match in Val's carefree demeanor, but as they work together, the usually responsible Isa can't seem to say no to Val's shenanigans. There's no hiding from Val, no ignoring this complicated but undeniable connection that's changing Isa's beliefs about love, loyalty and just how much she owes to her family--and to herself...

Fruitcake: A Graphic Novel by Rex Ogle | Illustrated by Dave Valeza | YOUNG ADULT

Eighth grade isn't off to a great start. Everyone but Rex seems to be coupling up, and he's starting to feel like an outsider... until he meets Charlotte. She's fearless, smart, pretty, and she likes him back. But as great as Charlotte is, there's someone else Rex can't stop thinking about.

Drew is Rex's childhood best friend, so when he kisses Rex, all kinds of new feelings begin to stir. Though at school, Drew acts like he doesn't even know Rex, making those feelings turn really confusing really fast. And with all the strong opinions Rex hears from friends and at church, he questions his own worth and what his affections actually mean. Rex wants to be more like his new friend, Nina, and not care what others think, but being himself seems impossible. When did middle school get so confusing?!

How to Fake a Southern Gentleman by Mayra Cuevas & Marie Marquardt | FICTION

Proud single mom Holly Simmons and ambitious journalist Luisa Martín Moreno have nothing in common—until Atlanta’s most powerful man, Griggs Caldecott Johnson III, turns both their lives upside down. Griggs is threatening Holly’s job as the events manager at the hoity-toity Dogwood Hills Country Club, while Luisa gets fired for trying to expose his scheme to defraud an immigrant family and snatch up their land for a luxury development.

Determined to fight back, the women team up to infiltrate Griggs’s inner circle. Their secret weapon? Elijah Denvil Sweet, a sexy hustler with a knack for reinvention. With a makeover, etiquette lessons, and a little help from Professor Pridmore—a charming, handsome, and single linguistics professor—Eli transforms into “Tripp,” the kind of Southern gentleman Griggs might just trust.

But as the plan takes shape, so do tender and unexpected feelings neither woman saw coming—with the very men helping them get justice.

For the Love of Soccer! / ¡Por Amor Al Fútbol! by Pelé | Illustrated by Frank Morrison | CHILDREN’S

What does the world's greatest soccer player love about soccer? The same things that you do! Speed, teamwork, dribbling, passing, taking your best shot--and making a G-O-O-A-A-A-L!

Award-winning artist Frank Morrison sets up the play by weaving together two dynamic visual stories: Pelé's inspiring rise to fame and a young athlete's efforts to follow in his hero's speedy footsteps―told joyfully in both English and Spanish. Together, words and pictures deliver all the fun and excitement of a closely matched game.

Mixed Feelings: A Graphic Novel by Sara Amini | Illustrated by Shadia Amin | GRAPHIC NOVEL

Things are getting hairy!

What could go wrong on the first day of sixth grade?

A: You wake up with leg hair out of nowhere.

B: You have zero classes with your BFF and watch her run off with her new (annoying) friend.

C:You struggle to decide which school club to join because being mixed race makes you feel like you don't belong anywhere.

D:All of the above. SERIOUSLY?!

At first, Sara's got mixed feelings about middle school. But she finds comfort in TV -- whether she's watching it, performing her favorite scenes, or imagining her life is a show itself. So when she joins drama club, Sara discovers a community where she can be anything she wants -- including herself. Has Sara finally found a place to fit in? Or will she instead find herself buried under her growing leg hair and off-stage friendship drama?

Imagine Breaking Everything by Lina Munar Guevara | Translated by Ellen Jones | FICTION

It's a rainy weekend in Bogotá, and eighteen-year-old Melissa is about to graduate from school. If, that is, she can scrape together the money to pay for the printer she broke. Melissa used to break a lot of things, but after five years of living with her aunt Anahí, she has become much better at controlling her anger. Then, out of the blue and for the first time in six months, Melissa's mother calls her and invites her to spend the weekend together in their old neighbourhood. Melissa is excited to spend time with her, but nervous about returning to the scene of her troubled early adolescence. Will she make it to Monday morning without jeopardising her future - or being swallowed up by her past?

Devil of the Deep by Falencia Jean-Francois | FICTION

Five years later, Lieutenant "Lu" Ortega, dutiful fleet officer, embarks on a mission to hunt down a powerful talisman now in the hands of a runaway mermaid. On his quest, he discovers the impossible: Nnenna is still alive. Fierce and cunning, and as breathtaking as ever, Nnenna 's won enough bloody sword fights as a pirate captain to earn the nickname "Devil of the Deep." She has come to reject the system of order that Lu clings to, and worse, she's protecting the very quarry he's tracking: Pearl Highwater, who has defied the all-powerful sea god and might hold a valuable key to finding her people's lost island.

When the tides and fates bring them together, Nnenna, Lu, and Pearl must choose their loyalties, find their courage, and race to protect the island from false gods and forces of evil--or risk unleashing an ancient curse that could destroy them all.

Vitamina T: Your Daily Dose of Tacos, Tortas, Tamales, and More Mexican Street Food Classics by Jorge Gaviria & Fermín Núñez with Allegra Ben-Amotz | NONFICTION

Tacos, tostadas, tamales, and other vitamin T favorites represent the culinary experience of street foods across Mexican foodways. In Vitamina T, celebrated chef Fermín Núñez and masa-purveyor-to-the-stars Jorge Gaviria take us on a journey through the sizzling streets of Mexico to show us how we can capture some of the magic of this cuisine in our home kitchens. Explore the beautiful sights and bold flavors of a late-night taqueria, a charcoal-burning clay comal teeming with hoja-santa-wrapped tetelas, and all of the tamales at all of the times. Vitamina T features over 100 mouthwatering Mexican staples as well as contemporary twists.

On Sale April 14

The Violence: My Family's Colombian War by Adriana E. Ramírez | NONFICTION

When presumed president-elect Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, champion of the working class and harbinger of a new era of progressive social change, is assassinated on the eve of Colombia’s 1948 presidential election, the capital is plunged into bloodshed. So begins a singularly brutal period of Colombia’s history known simply as la violencia—a bloody civil war that spawned decades of turmoil and splintered the country into ever-shifting factions.

The Violence is an intimate history of this conflict—told not from the political center of the war but from the mountainous finca that Adriana E. Ramírez’s family tended to for generations, and through the eyes of her formidable grandmother, Esther. With startling lyricism, Ramírez illuminates the specter of violence—from guerilla warfare to the brutalities found so often in romantic relationships to the spontaneous and senseless violence steeped into everyday Colombian life during this period—and the threat that it poses to a country, and a family, that is trying to stay whole. Gracefully braiding together macrohistory, family history, and personal narrative, Adriana E. Ramírez traces these parallel stories of upheaval in a sweeping portrait of a country and family in flux.

Death to Pachuco by Henry Barajas | Art by Rachel Merrill & Lee Loughridge | GRAPHIC NOVEL

During the summer of 1943, Los Angeles became a hotbed of tension and conflict as a series of fierce clashes erupted between U.S. Navy members and Mexican American youth stemming from the murder of Carlos Urbano. Private eye Ricardo "Ricky" Tellez needs to find the Sleep Lagoon Killer before the racist mob kills him in the Zoot Suit Riots.

The clock is ticking—and it’s a bad time to be a Mexican.

From the author of the critically acclaimed Latinx Top Cow series La Voz De M.A.Y.O, and Helm Greycastle returns with a thrilling graphic novel, perfect for fans of true crime noir.

These Spaceships Weren't Built for Us: Poems by Alan Chazaro | POETRY

In his newest poetry collection, These Spaceships Weren't Built For Us, Alan Chazaro reconsiders the possibilities of space travel as the son of Mexican immigrants while navigating daily life across rapidly shifting social spaces. From barren gas stations in Central California during the height of the pandemic to faraway jungle planets governed by paleteros, Chazaro imagines the present and future in ways that are simultaneously bleak and dire, hopeful and beautiful, and seemingly, impossibly unrealized.

Axl the Axolotl Is Not a Frog by John Paul Brammer | Illustrated by Vanessa Morales | CHILDREN’S

It was the first day of school in Flower Bed Lake, and every little creature knew exactly where to go. Everyone, that is, except Axl. The fish, lizards, and frogs all headed to their own schools to learn how to glub glub and ribbit, but there was only one of Axl. Will he ever find where he belongs?

From EGOT-winning songwriters Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, the songwriters behind The Greatest Showman and Dear Evan Hansen, and author JP Brammer comes a story of a brave and curious axolotl who is determined to find where he belongs. Brought to life by Vanessa Morales, this is a funny and affirming story about loving the things that make you unique and that finding the place you belong might look different than you expected. Complete with fascinating, kid-friendly facts about axolotls!

Forgive-Me-Not by Mari Costa | Graphic Novel

Aisling is many things to many people: princess, heir to the throne, teenage daughter of two loving parents… She’s also about to learn a lot more about herself: changeling. Fey creature. Hunted. Feared. Loved?

Forgive-Me-Not is the name given to the true princess — the lost teenage biological daughter to the king and queen, who’s grown up in the chaotic and untrustworthy realm of Faerie. When Forgive-Me-Not breaks into Aisling’s room the night before their 18 th birthday looking for revenge, the two embark on a long and arduous journey. And what starts as a confrontational and adversarial pairing grows into a bond of mutual understanding, friendship, and maybe something more…

Nature's Partners: How Plants, Animals and Insects Team Up by Eugenia Perrella | Illustrated by Lucilla Tubaro | CHILDREN’S

Could you imagine a small bird cleaning a crocodile's teeth?

Or a venomous scorpion guarding a lizard? What about a sea anemone hitching a ride on the back of a hermit crab? In Nature's Partners, readers learn about eleven unique cross-species teams that rely on each other for survival. Despite their differences in size and species, these plants, animals and insects are fast friends that each benefit from the other!

The Froggy Library by Julie Fiveash | CHILDREN’S

Anura is a young frog spending the summer back home with their grandmother. With some...er...gentle prodding from Grandma, they get a job working at the local library. It's about 11 minutes in when they're tasked with a big project: create an archive that captures what makes Soggy Stump so special.

What the heck is even an archive?! And so begins a summer full of fry bread, weaving, zines, community gardens, manga, and (maybe) an answer to the question of: how do we preserve the knowledge, wisdom, and memories of the ones we love?

On Sale April 21

Last Night in Brooklyn by Xochitl Gonzalez | FICTION

SPRING, 2007

At twenty-six, Alicia Canales Forten feels smothered by her future. She’s in a long-distance relationship, living at home with her mother’s beliefs, saving up for her wedding to a future doctor. But after Alicia ventures out one night in the neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn, she finds herself lured by the siren song of youth and possibility that the striving crowd of creatives holds, and moves in.

No one embodies this milieu more than La Garza, a larger-than-life, up-and-coming fashion designer whose epic house parties fuel neighborhood lore. La Garza’s life, observed by Alicia from her apartment across the street, seems to hold the allure and fearlessness Alicia has never dared to imagine for herself.

But when Alicia’s wealthy banker cousin moves to the neighborhood, she finds herself increasingly drawn into both his and La Garza’s precarious lives.

The Selected Poems of José Emilio Pacheco by José Emilio Pacheco | Edited by George McWhirter | POETRY

José Emilio Pacheco's Selected Poems is a major bilingual retrospective of the poetry of one of Mexico's foremost writers. Born in 1939, Pacheco achieved recognition early, and while still in his twenties, he was already keeping company with the most important writers of his generation. A prolific poet and perfectionist, Pacheco published many volumes of poetry, including his famous 1969 collection No me preguntes como pasa el tiempo (Don't Ask Me How the Time Goes By). This edition is edited by George McWhirter of The University of British Columbia, who worked closely with Pacheco himself in choosing the poems and their English translations. Besides McWhirter's own versions are those by Edward Dorn, Alastair Reid, Katherine Silver, and others.

As McWhirter writes: "In his singularity of vision and multiplicity of poetic forms, traditional and modern, Pacheco spans past and present in both Latin American and peninsular Spanish poetry. It is a glittering and giant technical achievement, as brilliant and instantly visible as Hart Crane's The Bridge."

Lupe Lopez: Rock Star Rivals! by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo & Pat Zietlow Miller | Illustrated by Joe Cepeda | CHILDREN’S

As Héctor P. Garcia Elementary’s resident rock star, Lupe Lopez has it all. Friends. Fans. An all-girl band. Not to mention several shiny stars on the Reading Wall of Fame. But to officially claim the title of First-Grade Rock Star Supreme, Lupe needs to beam the brightest at Friday’s class talent show, and to her surprise, there’s a new girl in town. Radiant Reynosa can roll her arms into a wave, pop her hips and sway, stomp the court, jump kick, and forward flip. She can bounce beats and drum like nobody’s business, and before Lupe knows it, her own star seems to be dimming in Radiant’s shadow, and her attitude is driving her friends and fans away. Can Lupe find a sure way to shine—with friends by her side? Vibrant illustrations and taut, rhythmic text spiced with Spanish words ensure that three’s a charm in this upbeat sequel to Lupe Lopez: Rock Star Rules! and Lupe Lopez: Reading Rock Star!

Hold by Randy Ribay | Illustrated by Zeke Peña | CHILDREN’S

It's time to leave the house, but...where are the keys?? As Daddy rummages through the mess, he hands a water bottle to his toddler and says, "Hold, please." This accidental request turns into an adventure when the child decides holding is fun and wants to hold EVERYTHING!

Before long, the toddler has their arms full with their favorite stuffie, toy plane, even the family pet, and has set their sights on more ambitious items—the rain, a tree, and more—until it becomes too much to hold. Luckily, Daddy's always there to hold them.

Exemplary Humans by Juliana Leite | Translated by Zoë Perry | FICTION

Ever since the unnamed threat took over, 100-year-old Natália has been stuck inside her Rio de Janeiro apartment, alone. Well, not entirely alone--her loved ones may be gone but they never really left her, plus she's pretty sure there's a spy watching her every move through the window.

As she waits for the daily call from her daughter who lives halfway across the world, the old woman revisits scenes from her life. There's her husband Vicente who obsessively erased maps of Brazil; her best friend Sarah, the cookie seller; Jorge who gave tarot readings for both humans and birds; and the comrades who joined her in resisting Brazil's dictatorship, at least until they were forced into hiding. Exemplary Humans is an ambitious novel about the quirks of memory and the delights and horror of aging.

On Sale April 28

What Kind of Queen? A Royal Biography of Drag Queen and Activist José Sarria by Kyle Casey Chu & Andrew W Shaffer | Illustrated by Cindy Lozito | CHILDREN’S

Once upon a time, there lived a boy named José who dreamed of becoming royalty--and of a queendom where everyone would be treated fairly and with respect.

A child of immigrants from Colombia, José Sarria was born in San Francisco in 1922. With the support of his family, he grew up to discover what it means to be a queen: he fought against evil by serving in WWII, helping to liberate a Nazi concentration camp; he inspired others to be their authentic selves by performing at San Francisco's Black Cat Café, a haven for artists and activists; and he cared for his community through his LGBTQ] advocacy work, including the establishment of the Imperial Court System, a global charitable organization that still thrives today.

Sarria led by example, joyfully giving back to his community while challenging the status quo. With a fairy-tale feel and radiant illustrations, this picture book biography celebrates his legacy of seeing the world not as it is but as it could be.

We the People Is All the People: A Picture Book by Howard W Reeves | Illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh | CHILDREN’S

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union . . .

Who are the "we the people" mentioned in the preamble to the U.S. Constitution? They are our neighbors next door, down the street, or across the country. They live in different places, worship in different ways, come from different backgrounds and histories. They struggle, achieve, and overcome. They are you, and me, and us.

Because, as we strive to create a more perfect union, "we" should mean "all."

This beautiful picture book celebration of the best of America includes the preamble to the United States Constitution as well as notes from the author and artist.

Higher! by Patricia Fitti | CHILDREN’S

Oliver the cat wants to climb higher. From the chair to the table, from the table to the cupboard, from the cupboard to the tree, from the tree to the roof . . . Being up high is the perfect place to be . . . right?

A playful and heartwarming story full of humor and a touch of magic. For children ages 4 years and up who love challenges and surprises.

Joint Press Statement - Defend The Press NexStar Tegna Announcement

Thursday, March 19, 2026

Contact: Daiquiri Ryan Mercado

Director of Advocacy, National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC)

communications@nhmc.org | 703-634-9034

Today, the FCC chose to side with corporate consolidation over local communities, approving a merger that will allow one singular company to control local television stations reaching nearly 80 percent of American households.

This decision comes as Nexstar is already cutting local newsroom staff across the country — including at major stations in New York and Los Angeles — even while reporting it earned $1.56B in profit last year amid ‘better-than-expected’ growth.

This is exactly what consolidation produces: fewer journalists, more centralized control, higher retransmission fees passed on to consumers, and less independent local reporting in the communities that rely on it the most. Congress established a 39 percent national broadcast ownership cap specifically to prevent this level of concentration. In approving this transaction, the FCC is clearly overstepping the legal boundaries set by Congress as a protective measure for the American people.

This merger will not strengthen local journalism. It will accelerate newsroom consolidation, reduce competition in local media markets, and increase leverage in retransmission negotiations that historically translate into higher monthly bills and more blackout disputes for consumers.

The #DefendThePress undersigned organizations are calling for:

• Members of Congress to condemn the FCC’s lawless decision and hold the agency accountable for this blatant disregard for the law through real oversight.

• State Attorneys General to immediately challenge this unlawful, anticompetitive merger.

• Federal courts to review the agency’s action and enforce the statutory 39% ownership cap.

Local journalism is civic infrastructure. It is how residents learn when their water is unsafe, how voters evaluate candidates for school board and city council, and how communities organize in the wake of a disaster. When local newsrooms are gutted, the democratic functions they serve do not disappear — they go dark.

Historically underserved communities lose the most when local stations consolidate: coverage of their neighborhoods shrinks, their voices go unheard, and corporate programming fills the vacuum. The FCC's approval of this merger is a decision about whose communities matter.

The fight for local journalism is the fight for democracy. This approval does not end the conversation. It begins the accountability phase.

Author Q&A: ‘Ways Papi Says I Love You’ by Delia Ruiz and Illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera

Maricruz is excited for her weekend ride with Papi in his truck. She grabs her sombrero and grocery list. Once inside the truck, Papi tells her to put on her cinturón — her seat belt. “It’s Papi’s way of saying I care about you,” author Delia Ruiz writes.

During their drive through el rancho, Maricruz and her father pass colorful concrete homes and stop by to see Maricruz’s aunt. Papi pulls wildflowers from the yard and hands Maricruz a small bouquet. “This is Papi’s way of saying I appreciate you,” notes the author.

Ways Papi Says I Love You (out on March 24 from Charlesbridge) is a tender-hearted look at the different ways love is demonstrated. Ruiz applies a wonderful blend for young readers of accessible text and sprinkled-in Spanish. Each act of love is also bolded for an added effect. Carlos Vélez Aguilera brings colorful charm to Ruiz’s text with his beautiful illustrations.

Ruiz drew from personal experience to tell this story of Maricruz and her papi. She herself has memories of cruising through San Luis Potosí, Mexico, with her father in his 1984 Ford F-150. Ruiz said it was their quality time together.

Ways Papi Says I Love You is a touching story about the many love languages between a parent and child. And it’s a gentle reminder for readers to examine and explore their own ways of expressing love. 

Ruiz spoke with Latinx in Publishing about her new picture book, the different love languages, and more. The book’s Spanish-language edition, Las maneras en que papi dice te quiero, will also be published simultaneously.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Amaris Castillo: Congratulations on Ways Papi Says I Love You. In your author’s note you mention memories of riding in your father’s truck when you lived in a rancho in Mexico. What about those rides inspired you to write this book?

Delia Ruiz: When I drafted this story, I was trying to think about my childhood and what about it brought me joy. One of the things that I thought about was that truck ride, and just riding in the back of my dad’s pickup truck as we went throughout the ranch and waved to the community. It was our quality time together. I wanted to tie in that moment and include more of the other love languages. I wanted to focus on the many ways a parent can express love when those three-letter words are so hard to say. I think having those examples throughout the story can show a child that there’s different ways that love can be shown. There’s no right way or one way that love is expressed.

AC: Your book is very tender in that Maricruz’s father shows his love for her in different ways, like making sure her seatbelt is on, and giving her wildflowers from her tia’s yard. How did you decide which demonstrations of love to include in the book?

DR: I had to think about how to show all the different love expressions for a child. And so I wanted it to be actual things a parent might share specifically during a road trip. In the story, they’re in this rural setting, heading to a store. I first thought about the journey: They’re going through a creek. What happens in the story? They end up losing the (shopping) list, and they stop by a family’s house. How could love be shown throughout that little mini road trip? 

I wanted all these reminders of love to flow as naturally as possible, and to also come from a dad who grew up in a rural setting. I had all these reminders and examples of love shown in a way almost like my dad would do, because he does come from this type of setting and background. Then I wanted to tie in the daughter, to show her love at the end in a way that she felt comfortable and she wanted to express. I thought about the journey first, and then how I could sprinkle in those love examples throughout the way, as they’re heading to the store.

“I hope that readers walk away with a joyous Latine story, and work on those communication skills to strengthen those bonds they already have.”

AC: Obviously we’re talking about the five love languages. Some people know what these are, but others don’t. I found out about the love languages well into adulthood. As an author who writes for children, what considerations did you have in making sure this can be digestible to young readers?

DR: That’s such a great question. Like you, I also was the same way. I didn’t find out about all of that until I was in my adult years. I was playing around with the examples of love expressions. My goal wasn’t necessarily for children to just understand those big words, like ‘acts of service,’ or ‘words of affirmations.’ Those are big words. But I wanted them to recognize, through the illustrations and the simple text that’s outlined or bolded, just how it makes them feel. What makes them feel loved? And I want them to carry that awareness into their settings, into their classroom, so they can start to recognize how others around them like to be appreciated. 

The illustrations really help with this because they’re able to see these examples on the page, and they can relate to how they love to receive love on their own. Do they like hugs? Do they like gifts? Do they like words? And then I did include back matter on the end of the page, just so the conversation could be expanded, so the parents and educators can help the kids with these kinds of conversations. Ultimately, I just wanted kids to understand how love makes you feel, and what are some examples of what it looks like.

AC: The book was illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera, who is from Mexico. Being that it’s set in a rancho setting and is inspired by your own childhood, what kind of collaboration was there to ensure that the setting itself was drawn accurately or close to memory? 

DR: I knew I wanted the story to be set specifically outside of the United States, and I envisioned a very rural type setting. I wanted the illustrator to hopefully either come from this type of background, or know how to draw this type of background. There are many places, even in the Caribbean and throughout Latin America or South America that have rural spots. So for me, it wasn’t such a big worry that they must be from this specific background. I just wanted them to illustrate more of a rural-type scenery. They did give me a list. Carlos was on it. I really liked his portfolio, and he ended up saying yes… I didn’t want a city setting. I didn’t want Cancun, Mexico (setting) or any of these big capital cities. I really wanted the dirt roads. And he was able to do that and make this come to life.

AC: What do you hope readers take away from the Ways Papi Says I Love You?
DR: I definitely want readers to walk away with understanding that there’s not really a right way or one way to express love. I hope that little ones can use this book and see examples of the ways that they enjoy just being cared for. And I hope that parents and educators can walk away with this book and practice that there’s different ways that you can make your kids feel appreciated. It helps create this deeper bond, or strengthen that bond that we have. So I hope that readers walk away with a joyous Latine story, and work on those communication skills to strengthen those bonds they already have.

---

Delia Ruiz is a Latine teacher-turned-author from San Antonio, Texas. Her books include the ¡1, 2, 3 Baila! bilingual board book series and Roqui’s Pandero Beat, winner of the International Latino Book Award. Delia hopes to inspire the next generation of writers who also come from immigrant households. She lives in Puerto Rico with her husband, their son, and their pug. www.aventurasenesl.com 

Carlos Vélez Aguilera is an award-winning illustrator from Mexico City, Mexico, who has a degree from the National University Autonomous of Mexico. He has illustrated more than twenty children's books, and he’s the author/illustrator of Salón Destino. Carlos has been recognized with two illustration awards from the International Children's and Youth Book Fair in Mexico. 

Amaris Castillo is an award-winning journalist and writer. Her debut book, Bodega Stories, will be published in September 2026 from the University Press of Florida. 

Author Q&A: Carolina Ixta Talks Sophomore Novel, ‘Few Blue Skies’

Carolina Ixta’s sophomore novel, Few Blue Skies, follows Paloma Vistamontes — a teenager who embarks on a fight against a major corporation dominating her town. San Fermín is changing drastically. Along its mountains, warehouses from Selva — a massive e-commerce conglomerate — are being built.

“It used to be so easy — a clear view of the earth around me,” Paloma narrates in the first chapter. “But after Selva moved in, everything turned gray. Especially the air we’re breathing.”

Paloma, still nursing a broken heart over her ex, Julio, decides she wants to research the health impacts Selva is having on its workers and the surrounding community. The stakes rise when she learns that the corporation is planning to open one of their warehouses beside her high school.

Few Blue Skies is a poignant YA novel about environmental injustice, morality, labor issues, and more. Ixta, an award-winning author from Oakland, was partly inspired by her time spent in the Inland Empire with her godmother, who lives in Riverside. But by her early 20s, Ixta noticed how much the area had changed. There were now all these gray buildings everywhere — logistic centers for retailers like Amazon and Target.

Ixta spoke with Latinx in Publishing about the extensive research she underwent to write Few Blue Skies, her character’s second chance romance, and much more.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Amaris Castillo (AC): Can you tell us about the research you did about the warehouse industry while writing this book. What was the research like and what did you learn?

Carolina Ixta (CI): It was so intense, and perhaps the biggest part of writing it. One of my good friends, Alberto, is from the Inland Empire. When I was stuck on beginning to write, I called him and he was like, ‘What do you mean you’re stuck? Just call people.’ And I was like, ‘Well, I don’t know anyone.’ And he was like, ‘Let me do it.’ He put me in contact with someone, who put me in contact with someone — and eventually it led to 30 or 40 interviews with community members: parents, art activists, warehouse workers. I interviewed so many people because I wanted to get an almost kaleidoscopic understanding of the problem as someone who is not from there. There was a lot of privilege that I had to be able to talk to these people as almost a journalist, instead of someone who was down there living that experience. 

I was also heavily on JSTOR. There’s a lot of red tape because I no longer have access to an academia email address. But anything that was free on JSTOR, I would download, print, put into a binder, read, and take copious notes on. I have a binder just full of research. I attended a conference with an environmental justice organization so that I could talk to people who led the movement against this warehouse construction by this high school. They wouldn’t answer my emails, so I was like, ‘I’m just gonna drive and I’m gonna find these people.’

When I think back on it now, it was so intense, but everyone was very open to speaking with me, which I feel so grateful for.

“So I hope people learn and I hope people feel seen at the same time. That’s the goal with all of my books: to have folks learn and have language they might not have had prior. ”

AC: Among the stressors of Paloma’s daily life is this great tension between her parents. Her mother wants to leave their town of San Fermín and be closer to her relatives, and her father is a Selva worker on strike. What message were you hoping to send in having this couple sit on the far ends of this issue?

CI: In some ways it was inspired by my own parental dynamic. My dad, when he was still in my life, was a delivery worker. I saw the wear and tear it had on his body. He broke his neck once and he shattered his rotator cuff twice. He had physical wear from doing that type of work. And it sounds like such simple work: you drop off the package but, over time, those people are subject to such barbaric treatment. My mom, to this day, is hyper vigilant when it comes to money and is very wise with a dollar and knows how to stretch a dollar. She taught me about money from a very young age, which I feel incredibly grateful for. 

So I was thinking about a strike, and how I wanted a parental dynamic with a person who leads with her head, which is mom — and a person who leads with heart, which is dad. And how those two things, in a situation like this, are at strife. I think an easy thing would be to go, ‘Paloma’s dad is working for the greater good of the people.’ But what does that mean for Paloma’s mother? I had never seen that dynamic explored — that strikes are selfless in many ways because we’re all stopping work for a goal, but usually someone has to pick up the slack at home.

AC: I also want to take a moment to talk about this incredibly slow burn between Paloma and her ex, Julio Ramos. What role did you see their relationship playing in the book when you have all these very heavy issues?

CI: The first draft of the book was so heavy. There was no book I could really pick up to help me. I’m not saying I am the first. There are multiple different books that I picked up for different reasons: I picked up Esperanza Rising (by Pam Muñoz Ryan) for the strike. I picked up Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin to talk about air quality. I couldn’t figure out the pacing of the book because of its undertaking. My friends were like, ‘If I were 17, I would not really care too much about a strike in the warehouse. I would care about what’s going to happen with these two young people. Are they going to date again?’ So I picked up the romance as lightness, to give the book levity. And as a hook, for kids to go, ‘Damn. This is a really terrible situation that these kids find themselves in. It seems like they’re both on the same page. Are they going to date again?’... I need kids to feel some type of lightness when they’re reading it. It’s like a good pause for the destruction and chaos happening around them.

AC: What do you hope people take away from Few Blue Skies?

CI: I hope people learn. I think that’s my discipline as an educator: I want people to learn as much as they possibly can about an experience that may be different from theirs. I recently listened to a really interesting interview with Rosalía where she talks about how great fiction blurs the line between yourself and the other. I would hope that this book blurs it, in the sense that it feels immediate. There are feelings that are ubiquitous through the book, which are loss, grief, love, desire and morality. And there’s the external piece, which might teach you about an experience that you haven’t experienced before, including the place and the destruction of the environment in the location.

So I hope people learn and I hope people feel seen at the same time. That’s the goal with all of my books: to have folks learn and have language they might not have had prior. But also to understand that, despite how different this book might be from their own experience, it’s still rooted in something that’s very familiar, which is love and grief and everything else.

---

Carolina Ixta is a writer from Oakland, California. A daughter of Mexican immigrants, she received her BA in creative writing and Spanish language and literature at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and obtained her master's degree in education at the University of California, Berkeley. Her debut novel, Shut Up, This Is Serious, was a Morris Award finalist, an LA Times Book Prize finalist, and the winner of the Pura Belpré Award. Few Blue Skies is her sophomore novel.

Amaris Castillo is an award-winning journalist and writer. Her debut book, Bodega Stories, will be published in September 2026 from the University Press of Florida.