'Martita, I Remember You,' Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá, & Latinas Traveling

How many of your parents encourage you to travel the world solo, as a Latina or Latinx individual? Barely anyone raises their hands. How often have you seen fictional works reflect back to you the experience of leisurely traveling and being seen as other? 

         Acclaimed author Sandra Cisneros takes these shared experiences and writes a new bilingual book where you’ll be sure to find a piece of yourself. In Martita, I Remember You / Martita, Te Recuerdo, Sandra uses her life’s travels and stories, as well as those of the many women she encounters, as a source of inspiration. This story mostly takes place in Paris, a destination that exists for many purely in an imaginative, mythical realm where romance and aesthetic photos reign. However, for the characters in the book, they are just trying to find their place in this world and find clarity on who they are. 

          Most travel stories usually feature a white male protagonist, who typically lives in opulence and never truly contends with his identity throughout his travels. This is not the case for the characters in Martita, I Remember You / Martita, Te Recuerdo. Throughout the virtual conversation between Sandra Cisneros, Liliana Valenzuela, and  Rigoberto González I listened to this past Tuesday, September 23rd, hosted by The Center For Fiction, something Rigoberto said landed with me: “The immigrant is always away from home and looking for their home.” Therefore, the immigrant travels to far off places to build or find a new life; sometimes they find it, and other times they do not. However, that intention is what changes the course of their story forever. 

          Like Sandra says, “ What else are you going to do with stories that break your heart, except write about them, especially if the people who gave you them are not writers.” Taking action towards what you desire and need will not only give you clarity, but to the rest of those who watch your journey. To bring the stories we’d like to see out in the world to fruition, and listen to the stories of those who mirror our own experiences is a brave affirmation of self. If that sounds like what you are about, I’d encourage you to grab a copy of Sandra Cisneros’ new work, Martita, I Remember You / Martita, Te Recuerdo and hold space for the clarity we find on our often-chaotic journeys towards home.

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Alondra Vargas-Soto is a creative and Boricua from Brooklyn, New York. They have received their BA in English: Creative Writing and Music: Vocal from Hunter College. Alo loves writing poetry and can usually be found bailando, practicing yoga, or exploring the world around them. Connect with them on Instagram @corriente_alo.

Sala Sundays with Desiree Rodriguez

Latinx in Publishing (LxP): What do you do?

Desiree Rodriguez (DR): I'm an editor with Oni Press, editing single issue and graphic novel titles. I also worked on Lion Forge's Catalyst Prime imprint previously managing and editing the line. I also write short stories - both prose and comics - currently.

LxP: How did you get started?

DR: I started off as an assistant at Lion Forge under Joe Illidge for the Catalyst Prime imprint about five years ago. Before that I wrote for comic and media websites writing articles and essays. The essay that got me my job was for Nerds of Color titled: Being Latinx in Comics.

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

DR: How to talk to people, networking is a really important skill to have along with being able to articulate yourself in a meaningful way. You have to be able to put yourself out there in social situations to connect with creators and readers alike. Speaking on panels was very new to me and I know I rambled far too much when I first began my career.

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?

DR: I'm working on a couple graphic novels that haven't been announced yet but one is with the ChooseCo company, and another is with Jarrett Melendez. For reading, I just finished Faraway Wanderers by Priest and started two new books C.B. Lee’s A Clash of Steel and Bethany C. Morrow’s So Many Beginnings.

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Desiree Rodriguez is an Eisner award winning editor, writer and journalist having written stories for DC Comics and Power and Magic Press, and Haunt Publishing and essays for sites such as Women Write About Comics and Nerds of Color. Desiree is currently an Editor at Oni Press.

Sala Sundays with Carla Benton

Latinx in Publishing (LxP): What do you do?

Carla Benton (CB): I’m a senior production editor for St. Martin’s Publishing Group at Macmillan. I’m also a freelance book copy editor and proofreader.

LxP: How did you get started?

CB: While at NYU, I landed an internship in Putnam’s copyediting department at Penguin. My first FT job was also at Penguin in managing editorial at Berkley.

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

CB: Most reading—and writing—heavy concentrations will similarly set you up to get started in this field, so choose something primarily because it truly interests you!

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?

CB: I’m currently working on Before You Say Anything: The Untold Stories and Failproof Strategies of a Very Discreet Speechwriter by Victoria Wellman.

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Carla Benton is currently a senior production editor at Macmillan, as well as a freelance copy editor and proofreader, and has worked in this particular corner of the industry since 2008. She is Peruvian American and Chicago has been her home base since 2016.

School-Themed Picture Books for the New School Year

Summer break has come to an end and back-to-school sales are popping up as a new school year begins. Here is a roundup of school-themed books to help you and your little ones ease into the first weeks of classes.

¡Vámonos! Let's Go!

By Rene Colato Lainez; Illustrated by Joe Cepeda

Published by Holiday House

From their window on the bus, a girl and a boy see a fire truck that goes woo-ooo-ooo, also known as a camión de bomberos--uuuah uuuah uuuah. They see a train, an ambulance and an airplane too! With this rollicking adaptation of "The Wheels on the Bus," young people can sing out the names of their favorite vehicles and the sounds they make -- in both English and Spanish.

Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation 

By Duncan Tonatiuh

Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers

When her family moved to the town of Westminster, California, young Sylvia Mendez was excited about enrolling in her neighborhood school. But she and her brothers were turned away and told they had to attend the Mexican school instead. Sylvia could not understand why—she was an American citizen who spoke perfect English. Why were the children of Mexican families forced to attend a separate school? Unable to get a satisfactory answer from the school board, the Mendez family decided to take matters into its own hands and organize a lawsuit.

In the end, the Mendez family’s efforts helped bring an end to segregated schooling in California in 1947, seven years before the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education ended segregation in schools across America. 

Using his signature illustration style and incorporating his interviews with Sylvia Mendez, as well as information from court files and news accounts, award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh tells the inspiring story of the Mendez family’s fight for justice and equality.

Twins vs. Triplets: Back-to-School Blitz 

By Jennifer Torres; Illustrated by Vanessa Flores
Published by Harper Collins

David Suárez gets stuck in the middle of a prank war when the neighborhood twins and triplets compete to rule the school. This is the first book of this hilarious, highly illustrated early chapter book series.

David can’t wait to go back to school and get far away from his trickster neighbors. But he’s in for a surprise when a set of equally prank-loving triplets move onto his block—and into his class!

Now the twins and triplets are battling for control of the playground and David is stuck in the middle. Can he end the prank war before recess gets cancelled for the whole year?

El día en que descubres quién eres (Spanish Edition) 

By Jacqueline Woodson; Illustrated by Rafael López; Translated by Teresa Mlawer
Published by Nancy Paulsen Books

A veces, cuando por fin damos el paso, suceden cosas increíbles.

Habrá veces en que entres a un lugar

y no veas a nadie como tú. 

Hay muchas razones por las que uno se puede sentir diferente.

Quizá sea por tu apariencia o por la forma en que hablas o de dónde vienes. A lo mejor es por lo que comes o por algún motivo similar. Sea cual sea la razón, no es fácil dar ese paso de entrar a un lugar donde no conoces a nadie; pero de alguna forma lo haces. 

El lírico texto de Jacqueline Woodson y el deslumbrante arte de Rafael López se combinan para celebrar el valor que se requiere para hacernos un lugar en un mundo diferente al nuestro. Y nos mueven a pensar en que si damos el paso y compartimos nuestra historia, es casi seguro que otros se interesen por conocernos mejor.

Ruddy Lopez lives in Inglewood, California, and attended California State University, Long Beach. She obtained a BA in English Literature and English Education and is a Fellow of the Los Angeles Review of Books Publishing Workshop. She is an educator who is transitioning to editing and publishing. In her spare time, Ruddy enjoys reading, writing poetry, and exploring what her city has to offer.

Sala Sundays with Brigid Martin

Latinx in Publishing (LxP): What do you do?

Brigid Martin (BM): Hi everyone, I’m Brigid, the current mass-market sales associate manager at Scholastic, a magical and wonderful place filled with nostalgia and good people. I know that sales isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of publishing, but it is such a great department to be in. Being in sales gives you the opportunity to see the entire journey of a book from the moment it gets to acquisitions to when you are selling it into an account. The thing I enjoy most about my job is that I get the exciting privilege to talk about, promote and amplify upcoming titles to a select list of buyers that I call upon. My accounts as of right now include BJs, airport chains, military bases, and B2C accounts. Developing relationships with these buyers is such a key part of this experience and it’s honestly the best part. My job essentially feels like I’m in a nonstop book club where I am describing all of the cool plot lines to people, except with more excel grids and reporting.

LxP: How did you get started?

BM: I originally went to college in the hopes of becoming a music teacher one day, but wound up having an existential crisis at 20 when I realized I didn’t exactly have the personality to make a good teacher. Those kids would have eaten me alive! I confided in a friend who was older than me who happened to be working in publishing at the time and went to her with the question “what should I be doing with my life?”. She recommended I switch to a publishing path since I loved books and I could still be in the field of education, but just in a different way! I took her advice, switched my major to English and never looked back. After my senior year, I applied to a ton of unpaid internships (boo!), got a bunch of rejections because I had no idea how to interview. After many many rejections, I eventually got a sales internship at Perseus Books because I was fortunate enough to be interviewed there by some lovely folks that were accepting of my social awkwardness. After the internship, I got hired full-time a few months later. I probably would have stayed there forever if the company didn’t get sold.

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

BM: I really wish I knew the importance of having mentors before entering into the workforce. If it weren’t for the mentors I’ve acquired along the way since starting my career, I would not be where I am right now. Finding a mentor that can help guide you and give you advice on your weaknesses is key to becoming a better you! Publishing can be a rocky industry and you may end up getting knocked down a few times (I know I certainly have!), but if you have the right mentors, they can help you stay on course. For me, my biggest struggle was getting hired. I would go on dozens of interviews and get rejected by every single one. I was genuinely terrible at interviewing. I used to ask all the wrong questions and say all the wrong things because I didn’t know how to own my successes. It took a mentor to tell me that the only person who can advocate for you is you. That really stuck with me because I always struggled with celebrating my “wins” and never took credit for my accomplishments. Once I started adjusting the way I framed information, I was able to land more opportunities.

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?

BM: Right now I’m reading A Wizards Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher. It’s a hilarious book about a young wizard whose magic only works on bread and it’s been bringing me a ton of joy. Prior to that, I actually just finished reading an advanced copy of Witchlings by Claribel Ortega (pubbing Feb 2022), which I highly highly recommend. It’s an action-packed magical adventure filled with quirky friendships, well-named toads, and overcoming challenges. I’m really hoping it becomes the next big thing in kids lit and I promise I’m not just saying that because I work at Scholastic.

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Brigid Martin is a New York-based writer and publishing professional with a deep love of ghosts and all things spooky. It has been a goal and passion of hers to work in an industry that promotes educational and diverse content for children and can happily say that working at Scholastic has proven to deliver just that--and more! As a member of Scholastic's Trade DEIB Advisory Committee, Latinx in Publishing, SCBWI and the Children’s Media Association, Brigid is always eager to learn and grow in the hopes of making positive change in children's publishing. Outside of work, Brigid considers herself to be a serial hobbyist. When she isn't using industrial machinery at her local maker space or reading an excessive amount of books, you can find her crocheting her way out of a giant pile of yarn on Long Island. Brigid holds a B.A. in English and Music from Stony Brook University as well as an M.S. in Strategic Marketing Communications from Fordham University.

An Emotional Understanding of ‘Once Upon a Quinceañera’ by Monica Gomez-Hira

Once Upon a Quinceañera by Monica Gomez-Hira is a debut novel that follows a young girl’s struggles to understand the importance of family and forgiveness. Taking place in the summer heat of Miami Florida, we are introduced to a young woman named Carmen Aguliar who struggles with her reputation, relationships, and deciding the next steps for her future.

Image from HarperCollins website.

Carmen wants one thing and that is to finish her summer internship with Dreams Comes True, a party planning business that produces happily ever afters, to earn her high school diploma. Three months and then she is free and her family can stop labeling her as a cautionary tale. But what she wasn’t prepared for was the return of her former freshman hook up, Mauro Reyes, and her spoiled cousin, Ariana, the destroyer of her quince, whose quinceañera she has to plan. Carmen seemingly has no escape from the two people she dislikes the most, but it is only three months, and she can do anything for three months.

Carmen does everything she can to make the summer as tolerable as possible. She goes to quinceañera practice, where she watches her crush Alex fall for her cousin and is dance partners with Mauro. Summer is not turning out to be the dream come true she hopes it would be; it becomes increasingly strenuous as she battles with her growing feelings for Mauro and struggles to forgive him and her family. Carmen carries her hurt and insecurities close to her like a shield, which makes navigating her life difficult and lonely at times.

Once Upon a Quinceañera reminds readers that the longer we hold on to our hurt, the harder it is to make and maintain relationships we desire — even if those relationships aren’t perfect and require some work. When people hurt us, how do we continue to live a life that allows us to be authentic and vulnerable, even when it’s hard? Gomez-Hira does a wonderful job of describing how relationships, both familial and romantic, can be extremely difficult to manage, especially for younger adults who are learning who they are. 

What stood out to me was the clear message of accepting that people are going to let you down and are not perfect, but loving them despite that can create stronger relationships. This story is a powerful reminder of working through our anger and to allow yourself time to grieve the disappointments people give us, but to continue to love. This is a wonderful book about love, family, and learning how to deal with emotions to better oneself. 

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Tereza Lopez (she/her) is a recent graduate from Clark University with a double major in English and history. She will be attending Clark University again in the fall for a master's in communications. When she is not studying, you can find her obsessively reading or taking care of her new kitten.

Causas, Cultura, y Baile: Lupe Wong no baila por Donna Barba Higuera

¡Jonrón! La autora Donna Barba Higuera ha sacado la pelota de béisbol fuera del estadio (al estilo literario), con su libro infantil ¡Lupe Wong no baila! Protagonizada por Guadalupe Wong, una estudiante de séptimo grado y Mexicana-china (o China-mexicana), la joven hará todo lo posible para involucrar a todos en lo que ella cree que es correcto, como ponerle fin a la música country, square dancing en particular, en su clase de educación física. Este es un libro de ficción contemporánea que ofrece conversaciones difíciles entre los personajes, junto con un humor memorable y necesario.

Desde un principio, los lectores se enteraran de que Lupe debe obtener excelentes calificaciones en todas sus clases para que le presenten a su lanzador favorito, Fu Li Hernández, que resulta ser mitad mexicano y mitad chino como ella. Lupe lo es todo, desde una activista hasta una atleta competitiva, excepto una bailarina. Mientras la profesora Solden pisa fuerte y aplaude al ritmo de la canción de country, "Cotton Eyed-Joe", Lupe dice que es igual de incomodo como la vez que su mamá insistió en enseñarle a todos sus amigos a bailar la Macarena en su fiesta de cumpleaños. La historia ofrece una descripción gráfica de las reacciones de los estudiantes al baile de la profesora Solden, poniendo la cereza al pastel para complementar esta introducción tan chistosa. Lupe comenta como su boca y la boca de los demás se abren en estado de shock cuando la profesora Solden les dice “¡bienvenidos al plan de estudios de este trimestre!". Lupe nunca había asociado el interior de un gimnasio con tanto horror.

Imagen del editorial.

Lupe acepta el desafío de baile de la major manera que ella cree posible—encontrando formas de deshacerse de él. Con la historia narrada en primera persona, Higuera transporta a los lectores a muchas travesuras posibles en la secundaria. Claro, un estreno estelar no es posible sin los brillantes personajes secundarios, Gordon Schnelly; Andalucía (Andy) Washington; Niles Foster; Paolo Wong; la abuela Wong; Abuela Salgado; Papa Wong; la madre de Lupe; y la profesora Solden.

Mientras Lupe descubre el oscuro origen de la canción "Cotton-Eyed Joe", también debe manejar los "peligros mortales de los pasillos” de su escuela del que su hermano mayor, Paolo, le advirtió, con la amenaza humorística de regresarla al zoológico donde sus padres la encontraron. Lupe empieza a tener más nervios cuando Paolo afirma que la escuela secundaria Issaquah solo permite la norma de “chico-invita-a-bailar-a-una-chica” en el baile, y esto solo fortalece el objetivo de Lupe de ponerle fin a la tradición. Este es uno de esos libros no comunes que presenta las (posibles) perspectivas de los niños sobre un baile de una manera muy auténtica. Higuera no solo presenta a una joven de secundaria que no quiere ni tiene ritmo, sino que también presenta a un hermano mayor al que graciosamente no le gusta la idea de invitar a bailar a una chica. Lupe es un personaje joven muy franco y valiente, que está dispuesto a hablar en contra de cualquier cosa que considere injusta, sirviendo como un ejemplo fuerte.

Entre los momentos más notables está cuando Lupe le pregunta a su madre: ¿Quién implementó square dancing en educación física? Su madre le responde que tuvo que hacerlo cuando ella tenia la edad de Lupe. Lupe no se queda con los brazos cruzados e investiga más. Este momento es una joya que refleja cómo la sociedad ha sido condicionada a seguir varias tradiciones sin cuestionarlas por mucho tiempo, e Higuera ofrece maravillosamente un ángulo diferente de square dancing, con el que se identificaran todos los que alguna vez cuestionaron una norma social.

Gordon Schnelly es un catalizador excelente, y muy necesario, en la vida de Lupe. Desde el punto de vista de Lupe, es un chico geek que cecea, piensa con humor que el hecho de que su abuela tenga novio es un desastre y, de hecho, espera con ansias para bailar al ritmo de square dancing. Los eventos que se desarrollan durante la rutina del baile cambian el carácter de Lupe y su relación con todos.

Disponible en inglés como Lupe Wong Won’t Dance. Credito: Yvonne Tapia

Lupe demuestra su conexión con su multicultura de diferentes maneras, ya que hay agradables referencias culturales mexicanas y chinas; chicharrones, una mención del Día de Los Muertos, conchas y más. Lupe menciona que su baño se parece a un restaurante azteca, mientras su madre lleva un calendario maya para ayudar a conservar su cultura mexicana. Lupe extraña a su padre, quien falleció hace años, y le explica a los lectores que hay una versión china del Día de los Muertos, llamado Qingming. Su abuela paterna, la abuela Wong, lleva a su familia al cementerio para quemar cosas que representan lo que ella cree que el padre de Lupe necesitará en el más allá. Esto se relaciona con la aspiración de Lupe de conocer a Fu Li Hernández, porque él le recuerda a la emoción que su padre tenia por el béisbol.

Tanto la abuela Salgado como la abuela Wong esperan mucho de Lupe, con el objetivo bien intencionado de ayudar a mantener viva la herencia mexicana y china de Lupe. Los lectores disfrutarán de entretenidas travesuras en la cena familiar entre los abuelos paternos y abuelos maternos. For ejemplo, Abuela Salgado afirma, “Pozole es mágico. Curará cualquier enfermedad o problema que tengas”. Más aun, los fanáticos del béisbol disfrutarán de algo de acción deportiva mientras Lupe continúa practicando sus habilidades deportivas.

Lupe Wong no baila ofrece una voz que representa a cualquiera que sienta que las cosas son injustas en su infancia (o que alguna vez se sintieron así). Es una lectura muy recomendada y necesaria para todas las escuelas y bibliotecas. Este libro mantendrá a estudiantes leyendo vorazmente, solo para querer más una vez que hayan pasado a la última página. También se le ha otorgado merecidamente el premio Libro de Honor Pura Belpré 2021. Lupe Wong no baila los entretendrá a todos.

Para obtener más actualizaciones sobre sus trabajos recientes, sigan a la autora Donna Barba Higuera en:

Twitter: @dbhiguera

Instagram: @donnabarbahiguera

Pagina web: https://www.dbhiguera.com/

Pueden usar el hashtag #lupewongnobaila, y también pueden comunicarse con la autora Donna Barba Higuera para visitas escolares, visitas a clubs de lectura y más a través de su sitio web. Happy reading!

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Yvonne Tapia is a Mexican-American professional from East Harlem, New York. She earned a BA in Media Studies and Psychology from Hunter College. Additionally, she has worked in the educational and media fields through various outlets. With a long-term enthusiasm for children’s media, she has been involved at Housing Works Bookstore and Latinx in Publishing. She currently works on the Marketing and Publicity team at Levine Querido. Yvonne is excited about the power of storytelling, and to engage content awareness in underrepresented communities.

September 2021 Latinx Releases

ON-SALE September 7th, 2021

FOR BROWN GIRLS WITH SHARP EDGES AND TENDER HEARTS| Adult Nonfiction

by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez (Seal Press)

For generations, Brown girls have had to push against powerful forces of sexism, racism, and classism, often feeling alone in the struggle. By founding Latina Rebels, Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez has created a community to help women fight together. In For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts, she offers wisdom and a liberating path forward for all women of color. She crafts powerful ways to address the challenges Brown girls face, from imposter syndrome to colorism. She empowers women to decolonize their worldview, and defy “universal” white narratives, by telling their own stories. Her book guides women of color toward a sense of pride and sisterhood and offers essential tools to energize a movement.

May it spark a fire within you.

THE INHERITANCE OF ORQUÍDEA DIVINA| Adult Fiction

by Zoraida Córdova (Atria Books)

The Montoyas are used to a life without explanations. They know better than to ask why the pantry never seems to run low or empty, or why their matriarch won't ever leave their home in Four Rivers--even for graduations, weddings, or baptisms. But when Orquídea Divina invites them to her funeral and to collect their inheritance, they hope to learn the secrets that she has held onto so tightly their whole lives. Instead, Orquídea is transformed, leaving them with more questions than answers.

Seven years later, her gifts have manifested in different ways for Marimar, Rey, and Tatinelly's daughter, Rhiannon, granting them unexpected blessings. But soon, a hidden figure begins to tear through their family tree, picking them off one by one as it seeks to destroy Orquídea's line. Determined to save what's left of their family and uncover the truth behind their inheritance, the four descendants travel to Ecuador--to the place where Orquídea buried her secrets and broken promises and never looked back.

Alternating between Orquídea's past and her descendants' present, The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina is an enchanting novel about what we knowingly and unknowingly inherit from our ancestors, the ties that bind, and reclaiming your power.

LOTERÍA| Middle Grade

by Karla Arenas Valenti ; illustrated by Dana Sanmar (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers)

In the hottest hour of the hottest day of the year, a fateful wind blows into Oaxaca City. It whistles down cobbled streets and rustles the jacaranda trees before slipping into the window of an eleven-year-old girl named Clara. Unbeknownst to her, Clara has been marked for la Lotería.

Life and Death deal the Lotería cards but once a year, and the stakes could not be higher. Every card reveals a new twist in Clara's fate--a scorpion, an arrow, a blood-red rose. If Life wins, Clara will live to a ripe old age. If Death prevails, she'll flicker out like a candle.

But Clara knows none of this. All she knows is that her young cousin Esteban has vanished, and she'll do whatever it takes to save him, traveling to the mythical Kingdom of Las Pozas, where every action has a price, and every choice has consequences. And though it seems her fate is sealed, Clara just might have what it takes to shatter the game and choose a new path.

Karla Arenas Valenti weaves an adventure steeped in magic and mythology--gorgeously illustrated by Dana Sanmar--exploring the notion of free will in a world where fate holds all the cards.

SMALL TOWN MONSTERS| Young Adult

by Diana Rodriguez Wallach (Underlined)

Vera Martinez wants nothing more than to escape Roaring Creek and her parents' reputation as demonologists. Not to mention she's the family outcast, lacking her parents' innate abilities, and is terrified of the occult things lurking in their basement.

Maxwell Oliver is supposed to be enjoying the summer before his senior year, spending his days thinking about parties and friends. Instead he's taking care of his little sister while his mom slowly becomes someone he doesn't recognize. Soon he suspects that what he thought was grief over his father's death might be something more...sinister.

When Maxwell and Vera join forces, they come face to face with deeply disturbing true stories of cults, death worship, and the very nature that drives people to evil.

Underlined is a line of totally addictive romance, thriller, and horror paperback original titles coming to you fast and furious each month. Enjoy everything you want to read the way you want to read it.

ON-SALE SEPTEMBER 14th, 2021

BAREFOOT DREAMS OF PETRA LUNA | Middle Grade

by Alda P. Dobbs (Sourcebooks Young Readers)

It is 1913, and twelve-year-old Petra Luna's mama has died while the Revolution rages in Mexico. Before her papa is dragged away by soldiers, Petra vows to him that she will care for the family she has left--her abuelita, little sister Amelia, and baby brother Luisito--until they can be reunited. They flee north through the unforgiving desert as their town burns, searching for safe harbor in a world that offers none.

Each night when Petra closes her eyes, she holds her dreams close, especially her long-held desire to learn to read. Abuelita calls these barefoot dreams: They're like us barefoot peasants and indios--they're not meant to go far. But Petra refuses to listen. Through battlefields and deserts, hunger and fear, Petra will stop at nothing to keep her family safe and lead them to a better life across the U.S. border--a life where her barefoot dreams could finally become reality.

HELLO, TREE | Picture Book

by Ana Crespo; illustrated by Dow Phumiruk (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)

Inspired by the 2013 Black Forest fire and told from the viewpoint of a tree watching its home destroyed, Hello, Tree is about the kinship between humans and nature, and preservation of the environment.

It was a swallow who called it first.
"Fire's coming!"
And the animals ran away.
Even the insects tried to flee.
The girl and her family left, too.
All I could do...was wait.

When a wildfire comes roaring into the forest, all the animals and humans flee. But all the tree can do is wait. Wait until many days and nights pass. Wait until the fire loses the battle. And wait until the forest is still before the forest can be reborn and the animals and the girl can come back.

JUST YOU AND ME: REMARKABLE RELATIONSHIPS IN THE WILD | Picture Book

by Jennifer Ward; illustrated by Alexander Vidal (Beach Lane Books)

Celebrate perfect partnerships in nature with this fascinating rhyming picture book exploring symbiosis with vibrant illustrations and fun facts that will delight young animal enthusiasts.

All over the world, unlikely pairs of plants and animals work together. Under the sea, the stinging anemone protects the boxer crab in exchange for food. In the desert, the woodpecker shelters inside a tall saguaro cactus and then distributes its seeds so more will grow. Near the water, the mighty hippopotamus stays pest-free because of the hungry egret that rides comfortably on its back. Even humans have to do our part--we depend on Earth for our survival, so we must do our best to protect our amazing planet.

MY TWO BORDER TOWNS | Picture Book

by David Bowles; illustrated by Erika Meza (Kokila)

A picture book debut by an award-winning author about a boy's life on the U.S.-Mexico border, visiting his favorite places on The Other Side with his father, spending time with family and friends, and sharing in the responsibility of community care.

Early one Saturday morning, a boy prepares for a trip to The Other Side/El Otro Lado. It's close--just down the street from his school--and it's a twin of where he lives. To get there, his father drives their truck along the Rio Grande and over a bridge, where they're greeted by a giant statue of an eagle. Their outings always include a meal at their favorite restaurant, a visit with Tío Mateo at his jewelry store, a cold treat from the paletero, and a pharmacy pickup. On their final and most important stop, they check in with friends seeking asylum and drop off much-needed supplies.

My Two Border Towns by David Bowles, with stunning watercolor illustrations by Erika Meza, is the loving story of a father and son's weekend ritual, a demonstration of community care, and a tribute to the fluidity, complexity, and vibrancy of life on the U.S.-Mexico border.

ON-SALE SEPTEMBER 21st, 2021

CUBA IN MY POCKET | Picture Book

by Adrianna Cuevas (Farrar, Straus and Giroux BYR)

"I don't remember. Tell me everything, Pepito. Tell me about Cuba."

When the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 solidifies Castro's power in Cuba, twelve-year-old Cumba's family makes the difficult decision to send him to Florida alone. Faced with the prospect of living in another country by himself, Cumba tries to remember the sound of his father's clarinet, the smell of his mother's lavender perfume.

Life in the United States presents a whole new set of challenges. Lost in a sea of English speakers, Cumba has to navigate a new city, a new school, and new freedom all on his own. With each day, Cumba feels more confident in his new surroundings, but he continues to wonder: Will his family ever be whole again? Or will they remain just out of reach, ninety miles across the sea?

LATINITAS (SPANISH EDITION) | Middle Grade

by Juliet Menéndez (Henry Holt & Company)

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

From Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to singer Selena Quintanilla to NASA's first virtual reality engineer, Evelyn Miralles, this is a book for aspiring artists, scientists, activists, and more. These women followed their dreams--and just might encourage you to follow yours!

The book features Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Juana Azurduy de Padilla, Policarpa Salavarrieta, Rosa Peña de González, Teresa Carreño, Zelia Nuttall, Antonia Navarro, Matilde Hidalgo, Gabriela Mistral, Juana de Ibarbourou, Pura Belpré, Gumercinda Páez, Frida Kahlo, Julia de Burgos, Chavela Vargas, Alicia Alonso, Victoria Santa Cruz, Claribel Alegría, Celia Cruz, Dolores Huerta, Rita Moreno, Maria Auxiliadora da Silva, Mercedes Sosa, Isabel Allende, Susana Torre, Julia Alvarez, Sandra Cisneros, Sonia Sotomayor, Rigoberta Menchú Tum, Mercedes Doretti, Sonia Pierre, Justa Canaviri, Evelyn Miralles, Selena Quintanilla, Berta Cáceres, Serena Auñón, Wanda Díaz-Merced, Marta Vieira da Silva, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Laurie Hernandez.

Perseverance, Heritage, and Celebration in Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla

Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla distributes the determination, culture, and joys that encompassed Selena Quintanilla’s life and career. Written by Diana López and illustrated by Teresa Martinez, this is a fantastic picture book that carries out Selena’s beautiful and longstanding dedication to gift fans with her music, fashion, and heritage. This picture book is also available in Spanish as Canta conmigo: La historia de Selena Quintanilla.

Photo credit: Yvonne Tapia

Born in Lake Jacksonville, Texas, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was a Mexican-American singer, fashion designer, and businesswoman who grew up with a hard-working family, that instilled in her a love for music and a pride of her Mexican-American roots. In her story, Selena started chanting at a very young age—her father discovered her gifted singing pipes when she was just six years old.

Illustrator Teresa Martinez created a visibly representative and appealing narrative of Selena discovering her special singing voice at home rehearsals, Papagayos restaurant, and big venues that eventually helped her gain worldwide recognition and awards. Readers will be able to take in all the culturally symbolic illustrated details in the book’s captivating double-page spreads such as the papel picado and the magnificently made book case. Moreover, Spanish words, like “dejame volar” and “baila” are gracefully layered in the artwork as Selena’s narrative transitions to her teenage years, when she begins to sing at weddings, quinceañeras, and more.

Photo credit: Yvonne Tapia

Author Diana López wonderfully transports readers to Selena’s well-meaning effort to learn Spanish, as Selena realizes that this is the one major way she would be able to connect with her existing and soon-to-be audiences. Additionally, López doesn’t veer off from acknowledging the first “no’s” Selena received when she began paving her way into Tejano music, which seamlessly serves as an important example of real-life to youngsters—if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. Selena demonstrated how hard work pays off as she continued to learn Spanish and to make room for herself in the male-dominated world of Tejano music.

While readers—both young and old—turn the pages, they may find themselves inspired by Selena’s tenacity, courage, and willingness to become better than she already was at what she did, particularly with singing. Selena’s undeniable passion for design and fashion can also teach young readers that it is possible to have more than one career path if you work diligently enough to make it happen.

Photo credit: Yvonne Tapia

López’s and Martinez’s children’s book is a fantastic addition for classrooms and libraries, with many inspirational moments from Selena’s life that can further motivate students to keep going forward in their aspiring career path. The lustrous use of colors across the page, from the beautiful blues of her room; the eye-catching peaches of concert banners; and, symbolic white roses, are sure to captivate readers into studying each illustrated detail.

Not only is this heart-warming picture book a unique addition to classrooms and libraries, it is also a jewel for families and friends who continue to celebrate Selena Quintanilla’s music by singing and dancing to it. Selena’s constant inclusion of her Latin roots in her music, fashion, and dancing will continue to resonate with old and new audiences from all corners of the world. Like the lyrics of a composition, this story is a ballad to Selena Quintanilla through words on a page.

For more updates on their latest works, follow author Diana López and illustrator Teresa Martinez on:

Twitter: @dianalopezbooks, @teresamtz

Instagram: @dianalopezbooks

Website: http://www.dianalopezbooks.com/ , https://www.behance.net/teresamtz

Remember to use the hashtag #SingWithMe and/or #SelenaQuintanillaPictureBook!

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Yvonne Tapia is a Mexican-American professional from East Harlem, New York. She earned a BA in Media Studies and Psychology from Hunter College. Additionally, she has worked in the educational and media fields through various outlets. With a long-term enthusiasm for children’s media, she has been involved at Housing Works Bookstore and Latinx in Publishing. She currently works on the Marketing and Publicity team at Levine Querido. Yvonne is excited about the power of storytelling, and to engage content awareness in underrepresented communities.