Category: Latinx

Her Immigrant Story

10/15/2021

Where I Belong by Marcia Argueta Mickelson

High school senior Milagros Vargas' life has not been easy. But she has learned to cope, caring for her three younger siblings while her immigrant mother works long hours as a housekeeper, cook, and nanny for the Wheelers, prominent members of the Corpus Christi social elite.

In addition to family responsibilities, Millie has maintained a stellar academic record, earning a full scholarship to Stanford.

She has learned to keep a low profile. Her anonymity evaporates when Mr. Wheeler, in a bid for a congressional seat, reveals during a campaign speech that his housekeeper's daughter fled Guatemala with her parents, sought asylum, attained U.S. citizenship and is now an immigrant success story.

Milagros becomes the subject of news reports and internet trolls. Quiet, never-make-waves Millie is thrust into the spotlight, a position she never wanted. Media coverage as well as threats directed at her and her family intensify.

Eventually, she must decide if she will remain silent or speak out.

A strength of Mickelson's storytelling can be found in the details of Millie's personal interactions with her widowed mother whom she adores and does not want to disappoint, a younger sister who has to go to the bathroom at an inconvenient time, and the handsome Charlie Wheeler who suddenly seems interested in her.

Where I Belong is a richly layered narrative that explores headline-grabbing issues and the dynamics of personal relationships.

Audio copy accessed via Hoopla.

Pub date: September 7, 2021 Publisher: Carolrhoda Lab ISBN: 978-1541597976

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Power of Story

10/8/2021

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The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

A world without story is lost.

A stunning and richly symbolic cover sets the stage for a Latinx sci-fi saga written for middle-grade. It's a daunting task, but Higuera pulls it off, sending readers on a heroic journey of mythic proportions.

When earth is destined for destruction, Petra and her younger brother Javier are selected to join an elite group that will travel through space, bound for the planet Sagan. Organizers hope to establish a thriving intergalactic colony. It will take 380 years to reach Sagan, so travelers are placed in individual hibernation pods for the journey.

On waking, Petra discovers that a group known as the Collective has assumed control of the spaceship. Adults have been eliminated and the minds of younger passengers are being reprogrammed. This carefully cultivated society will have no knowledge of the past.

Petra is determined to resist mind control. She clings to the stories told by her grandmother and shares tales of heritage and culture to a few of the ship’s young travelers, hoping to reawaken their knowledge of the past.

Outwitting the Collective becomes increasingly dangerous. Petra’s plan to escape, taking a few individuals with her to a nearby planet, is a high stakes gamble. She must keep her objective a secret until her group is safely beyond the reach of those who seek to destroy her and her knowledge of the past. Several shocking plot twists and tension-filled scenes will keep readers rapidly turning pages.

Those familiar with children’s literature will be pleased to note the homage to several contemporary classics: Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin. Authors Douglas Adams and R. L. Stine are also mentioned.

Books became our language. Books became our home. Books became our lives.

The Last Cuentista is a tribute to the enduring power of stories. The saga combines Latinx folklore and culture with travel through time and space. Higuera has created an intriguing genre for young readers: Latinx Space Opera.

Never be ashamed of where you come from, or the stories your ancesters bring to you. Make them your own.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 12, 2021 Publisher: Levine Querido ISBN: 978-1646140893

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A Boy and His Bicycle

9/28/2021

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Neverforgotten
by Alejandra Algorta art by Iván Rickenmann translation Aida Salazar

You will forget that you forgot

Ten-year-old Fabio lives in Bogotá with his bread-baker mother and bus-driver father. His world changes the day his mother presents him with a used salmon-colored bike. Fabio soon masters the skill of balance while peddling. The bicycle and the boy become one. Whizzing around the city, he delivers his mother’s fresh bread.

“the dust danced with him, it would lift itself from the ground and soar through the air,”

Alicia is a regular bread recipient. To his consternation, she always greets Fabio as “my son. ” To this young boy, the old woman is a mystery. Why is she known as Mamalica? Why does she call him son? Where is her husband? Fabio is puzzled.

Then the unthinkable happens, Fabio forgets how to ride his bike. When he attempts to ride, he falls. He has failed. Without his bicycle, Fabio sees no way forward.

"Walking makes Fabio feel like a city pigeon, picking at dirt when he should be flying between rooftops..."

The narrative follows Fabio as he struggles with fears. So many fears: fear generated by his imaginings, fear of the unknown, fear of making a mistake, fear of letting go.

The imagery is exquisite, flavored with language so beautiful that it begs to slowly savored. Themes are threaded throughout the text, offering a variety perspectives on an idea. Here are a few:

Movement. The bus moves people. The days accelerate. Speed becomes one word “velocityisequaltodistancedividedbytime."
Size is Relative: The world under the bed is small. The souls of giants are trapped inside small bodies.
Monsters: The city is a monster, gobbling up smaller neighborhoods.

Native Colombia artist Rickenmann's sixteen black and white realistic renderings of the Bogotá’s landscape, especially abandoned buildings and open spaces, offer a fitting overture and coda to this exquisitely told tale.

The Spanish edition and an English translation are bound together. Salazar’s translation is filled with rhythm, poetic language, and expressive imagery. The combined work of author, illustrator, and translator have resulted in an incredibly thoughtful and moving experience.

Algorta has appropriately titled her debut novel Neverforgotten. A book unlike anything that I have ever read, it continues to haunt me.

Iván Bogotá's evocative cityscape.

Meet the author: Alejandra Algorta.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 26, 2021 Publisher: Levine Querido ISBN: 978-1646140947

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Make a Difference

8/3/2021

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Hurricane: My Story of Resilience I Witness, #2
by Salvador Gómez-Colón

I was just a normal high school student with a passion and drive to make a difference in the world...

An intriguing new nonfiction series, I Witness features first person accounts of young people “ordinary kids and teens who have faced extraordinary challenges.” In an introduction to the series, editors speak directly to readers, encouraging them to find ways to make a difference in their communities and throughout the world.

Salvador Gómez-Colón had just turned fifteen when Maria, a Category 4 hurricane struck Puerto Rico. Its aftermath and devastation were unlike anything he had experienced. “It was a storm without mercy.”

Inspired by his mother and a former teacher, Salvador decided that he wanted to help those suffering from the damage caused by Hurricane Maria. As he observed the conditions of his neighbors, an idea for a project began to form. “Light and Hope” would distribute solar lamps and hand-powered washing machines to members of his community.

With the help of a contact suggested by his mother, Salvador set up a crowdfunding campaign to raise $100,000 for his project. He describes the successes and setback in his efforts. Initial media attention got the campaign off to a good start but he was hampered by limited Wi-Fi access, his age, and competing news stories capturing the public interest. He was helped by contributions from large companies, local contacts, and his determination.

it is not a matter of if it gets hard, it is a matter of when

In touching detail he describes personally distributing solar lamps and hand washing machines. In all, he reached thirty-five hundred families in seventeen towns.

Hurricane: My Story of Resilience is a powerful first person account that packs a huge emotional punch. Included in the slim volume are Continue the Discussion with additional information on the hurricane and its impact as well as Salvador’s current projects, suggestions to Get Involved, a Timeline, and Acknowledgements.

Excellent resource for schools, community and activist groups, and organizations that work with teens.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 28, 2021 Publisher: Norton Young Readers ISBN: 978-1324016656

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The Other Side

7/5/2021

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"The Other Side is not so far away."

My Two Border Towns by David Bowles ill by Erika Meza

This little treasure is a love letter to community, culture, and heritage. My Two Border Towns chronicles a typical Saturday journey of a father and son to a nearby town. A routine that is both ordinary and extraordinary.

This twosome have an itinerary: begin with breakfast at a favorite restaurant, purchase grocery items requested by family and friends, fill medical prescriptions, visit with extended family, and make deliveries.

It seems to be a simple and straightforward description of a father and son outing. However, there is one important difference. The neighboring town is in another country. The two leave their home in the United States and travel to Mexico. This means stopping at a checkpoint, producing necessary documentation, and passing a border guard’s inspection. Spanish phrases are liberally sprinkled throughout the narrative with plenty of context to help young readers infer meaning. Spanish is evident, to a varying degree, in both towns.

The journey concludes with a stop at a center for refugees. It is obvious that this is not the first time the pair have visited the site. The boy calls an individual by name. He has come prepared with comics, notebooks, and pencils to share with children "stuck between two countries." After distributing their gifts, the pair head for home, hoping that someday they will be no longer be separated from their immigrant friends.

Cover art brilliantly depicts a mirrored image of young man. He’s the same person, but each image colors his world in a particular way. Both towns offer context and dimension to his life.

Title page features a stylized overhead view of the two towns, the river that divides them and the road that connects them. The image is a prelude to a story of separation and connection.

Illustrations for the town across the river are replete with local vivid details: papel picado (paper banners) and paletas (ice pops). Meza's art shows the landscape from a variety of views and perspectives.

Bowles has penned a gentle narrative that celebrates the unique qualities of living near a border town. It's a tribute to family and home. The neighboring Mexican community allows youngsters to appreciate similarities and differences. Text presents a sensitive view of those trapped between two countries, seeking for a place to call home. Reassuring. Hopeful.

Border Stories: Picture Books

Electronic copy accessed via Edelweiss.

Pub date: August 24, 2021 Publisher: Kolika ISBN: 978-0593111048

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Jane Austen Remix

5/27/2021

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It is a truth universally acknowledged that a popular classic with witty commentary on society, expectations and romance is an interesting starting point for a retelling. Example: GoodReads lists 440 adaptations, variations, and continuations of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Several of these stories are available in audiobook format. Pop in the earbuds and chill with two engaging reimaginings of a timeless rom-com.

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix
by Ibi Zoboi read by Elizabeth Acevedo

Well, there goes the neighborhood!
Zuri Benitez is appalled when wealthy Darius Darcy and his family move into her predominantly African American/Latino working class community.

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix maintains several elements of Austen's novel: five sisters, a scoundrel who initially appears charming, a family with an uncertain financial future, and a younger sister who makes a troubling choice.

Zoboi sets this version in a contemporary urban environment with a sensory-rich description of life in Bushwick and the Haitian-Dominican culture. Zuri also confronts racism, gentrification, and stereotyping. The expectation of higher education for students of color is a welcome addition and includes a nice shoutout to Howard University.

Listen to a sample.

This refreshing adaptation with numerous misunderstandings, awkward situations, and heartbreak eventually arrives at a satisfying conclusion. No one will walk down the aisle, but there is mutual attraction and admiration.

Acevedo's narration is spot-on, injecting the text with an intonation and rhythm which brings the story to life.

Audiobook accessed via Hoopla.

Release date: September 18, 2018 Publisher: Harper Audio

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price read by Morag Sims

What happens when the daughter of a barrister decides to solve a murder? Welcome to the 19th century world of Lizzie Bennett. Price and Premeditation is a mystery that preserves Austen's setting and cast of characters along with several of their idiosyncrasies.

Price moves the story away from Longbourn and to the law firm of Mr. Bennett. He employs Lizzie, Charlotte, and the odious Mr. Collins who does little work but takes all the credit. Lizzie hopes to expand her role from quietly working behind the scenes to taking an active role in a case of murder.

To her dismay, she learns that haughty Fitzwilliam Darcy will be representing the defendant. Undaunted, Lizzie soldiers on: interviewing witnesses, uncovering evidence, and eventually trying the case before a judge. While this aspect of the story is historically inaccurate, it fits neatly with her personality.

Listen to a sample.

This tale of manners takes a modern twist, focusing on women's empowerment. Lizzie's jurisprudential skill and courage are admired by her father and Mr. Darcy. Her future as a barrister seems assured. However, Miss Bennett has a mind of her own and surprises everyone with an interesting decision about her prospects.

Sims' uses a variety of speech patterns to distinguish various characters, while retaining her "proper" British narration.

Audiobook accessed via NetGalley.

Release date: April 6, 2021 Publisher: Harper Audio

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Of Courage and Cowardice

5/10/2021

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On the Hook by Francisco X. Stork

Francisco X. Stork books often feature teens who find themselves in difficult situations, the result of personal choices and circumstances beyond their control. The protagonist struggles with a moral dilemma. There are no easy answers. There is no simple solution. Stork’s stories are filled with complications. Like life.
Case in point:

Sixteen-year-old Hector Robles has a lot going for him. An excellent student and exceptional chess player, he has a best friend he can confide in, a loving and supportive family, and a good part-time job. He also deals with some serious problems. Hector resides in the gang-infested projects of El Paso. His father’s death, along with older brother Filipino's difficulty in coping with the loss of his father, make life doubly hard. His drug-dealing neighbor Joey constantly bullies and threatens him. Hector bears the scar from an encounter with Joey: a “C” carved into his chest with a box cutter. Joey's omnipresent threat haunts Hector. "You know I'm coming. You're dead already."

One night, fate places Hector in the wrong place at the wrong time. Joey and his brother Chavo confront Filipino. Hector is terrified as he silently witnesses Joey and Chavo attack Filipino. Panicked, Hector drives a truck toward his brother’s killers, seriously wounding Chavo.
The result: Joey and Hector are both sentenced to a reform school for troubled minors. Hector is ashamed of his inability to stop the fight that took his brother's life. He plans to kill Joey as soon as he has the opportunity. A life for a life.

While at the reformatory, Hector is conflicted as he considers his options and wonders what he should do. He is consumed by a desire for revenge and at times makes rash decisions. Surprisingly, he also performs a selfless heroic act. He questions his motives. Why did he do that? Can he overcome his cowardice? How will he satisfy his desire for justice? Is it possible to make things right?

The final pages reveal Hector's surprising solution. His choice will be painful. It's a big risk, difficult and potentially dangerous. But... it feels right.

On the Hook offers readers a searing exploration into the mind and heart of a young man struggling with serious issues. It's a story that needs to be told and one that is impossible to forget.

Try These Books

Stork explores the lives of three young men who are confronting serious issues, weighing consequences, and making difficult decisions.

Meet the Author

Francisco X. Stork introduces On the Hook, his latest novel for young adults.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: May 18, 2021 Publisher: Scholastic Press ISBN: 978-1338692150

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Migrant Children

4/12/2021

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Hear My Voice/Escucha mi voz:
The Testimonies of Children Detained at the Southern Border of the United States
compiled by Warren Binford forward by Michael Garcia Bochenek

The plight of immigrants arriving at the United States’ Southern Border is well documented. Politicians, media outlets, community leaders, humanitarian groups, and religious organizations have weighed in on the subject.

Sadly, the viewpoint of one faction is often overlooked.

Children. What do migrant children have to say about their situation? They live the experience. Day in. Day out.
Project Amplify documented what these minors had to say. Sixty-one young migrants from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Mexico describe in poignant detail their lives in detention centers. Warren Binford, a private citizen who inspects detention facilities, collected sworn statements of children ranging from ages five to sixteen. To protect each child’s identity, only the initial letter of a name identifies the author of individual testimonies.
This picture book offers a glimpse into the lives of migrants trapped in horrific conditions.

Seventeen Mexican and Mexican Americans artists illustrate the children’s descriptions of their current surroundings. These artists’ distinctive illustration styles offers readers a views of the migrant experience from multiple perspectives. Follow the links listed below to view the work of each visual artist.

Back matter contains historical context, basic information, and a description of current conditions. There are questions to ask, things to think about, and suggestions for individuals who want to help relieve the youngsters' difficult circumstances.

The heartbreaking messages and visually arresting art cannot be ignored. This dual English/Spanish picture book moves the frame of reference away from political dialogue. Hear My Voice/Escucha mi voz focuses attention on those who are unable to help themselves. Hear what they have to say.

"I am holding both little girls in my lap to try to comfort them.
I need comfort, too. I am bigger than they are, but I am a child, too."

Want to help?

"Project Amplify is a national nonprofit (501c3) launched to establish legal protections for children in government care." Co-Founders Professors Warren Binford, Hope Frye, Erin Albanese work to shape legislation and provide legal support for child migrants. All royalties from Hear My Voice/Esucha mi voz will be donated to Project Amplify.

Meet the Artists

Acknowledging these generous artists and their incredible work.

Cecilia Ruiz, Yuyi Morales, Juan Palomino, Paco Santoyo, Adriana Campos, Salomón Duarte Granados, Flavia Zorrilla Drago, Bayo Flores, Edith Valle, Gloria Féliz, Mirelle Ortega, María Lumbreras, Addy Rivera Sonda, Raul Gonzalez III,
Beatriz Gutierriz Hernandez, Daniela Martín del Campo, Dominique Arce.

Stories to Read and Share

Picture books for young readers.

Chapter books for middle grade.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: April 13, 2021 Publisher: Workman Publishing Company ISBN: 978-1523513482

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Will You Ever Fly Again?

12/11/2020

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The Land of the Cranes by Aida Salazar

Not every story has a happily-ever-after. Some stories are drawn from the well of sorrows and painted with tears of anguish. Aida Salazar gives young audiences a searing portrait of the life of girl trapped in the nightmare of an immigrant from Mexico seeking asylum in the United States.

Betita lives in East Los Angeles with her parents who are undocumented workers, hoping to find a permanent home in the United States. Her father works as a construction laborer and dishwasher. Her pregnant mother earns money as a nanny. Though life is challenging, these parents dream of building a new life for their family in the United States.

One day the unthinkable happens. Papi is apprehended by ICE agents for failure to appear in court and is taken into custody. Betita is left with an aching heart and a small square of fabric from her father's pillow.

Hoping to connect with Papi at a park in San Diego, mother and daughter travel south with relatives. Tragically, they are stopped by border patrol and sent to a detention center. Conditions in the facility are despicable. Detainees live inside a chain link fence cage and sleep on a concrete floor with only a foil blanket. Unsanitary conditions and poor food threaten the life of Mami and the child developing within her womb. They endure daily acts of senseless hostility and cruelty.

Betita recalls her father's stories of their proud heritage. They are travelers from the land of the cranes. Now Betita is longer able to soar. Confined to a wire cage, hope seems lost. This resourceful girl discovers a way to cope. Her fourth-grade teacher showed her how to create picture poems, recording her life with words and images. She keeps a daily journal using her poetry and art to express her feelings.

There are no simple solutions. With little hope for asylum, there seems to be no influential individual that can rescue this suffering family. Mami eventually decides to sacrifice her dream of freedom and security to save herself and her two children. The plight of these individuals is painful to witness.

The Land of Lost Cranes, a fictionalized depiction of undocumented individuals, is gut wrenching. This novel in verse, exquisitely expressing a young girl’s longing, will find a place in the hearts of readers everywhere.

Border Stories

These picture books introduce youngster to tales of immigrants coming to American from Mexico and the Caribbean.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 15, 2020 Publisher: Scholastic Press ISBN: 978-1338343809

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Mayan Mythology

11/9/2020

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Rise of the Halfling King (Tales of the Feathered Serpent)
by David Bowles ill by Charlene Bowles

What a terrific concept: A series of graphic novels featuring Mayan mythology. Bowles brings his extensive Mesoamerican expertise to younger audiences. Stories from an often-overlooked culture are brought to life with colorful panels, intriguing plot and characters who jump off the pages and into the reader's imagination.

Rise of the Halfling King is the first title in Tales of the Feathered Serpent series. Readers are introduced to Sayam, a boy hatched from an egg. Almah, a witch and a healer, has cared for this strong-willed halfling since he emerged from the egg. As he grows older, the inevitable is apparent. It is time for Sayam to fulfill prophecy and dethrone the king.

It won't be easy. The malevolent despot employs the Guardian of the Underworld, a gigantic snake, to assist him with his diabolical schemes. Illustrator Charlene Bowles gives the serpent a frightful menacing quality that dominates each panel into which it slithers, fangs ready to strike.

A generous trim size of 7 by 10.5 inches, oversized panels, and an easy to follow narrative make this an excellent choice for young readers.

Background information is placed at the beginning of the book. The map of Mexico clearly identifies cities and surrounding regions. The cast of characters features a small portrait with accompanying short bio. This facilitates reading from the story's onset, helping readers to place unusual locations and individuals in context.

It's a rich mythology, replete with magical powers, witches, and sorcery. The struggle between good and evil, featuring a diminutive hero fighting against powerful forces will captivate readers. Make room on your shelves for this graphic novel series.

Dig Deeper

Interested in an in-depth exploration of Mexican mythology? Bowles has you covered.

Feathered Serpent: Dark Heart of Sky is compilation short mythological tales from Mexico. The introduction offers valuable background information. A Guide to Pronunciation and Glossary are particularly helpful.
An excellent resource for those interested in exploring epic tales, world mythologies, history and culture of Mexico. Highly recommended for students, teachers, historians, and storytellers,

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: November 3, 2020 Publisher: Cinco Punto Press ISBN: 978-1947627376

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<<Previous

Her Immigrant Story

Where I Belong by Marcia Argueta Mickelson

Power of Story

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

A Boy and His Bicycle

Neverforgotten
by Alejandra Algorta art by Iván Rickenmann translation Aida Salazar

Make a Difference

Hurricane: My Story of Resilience I Witness, #2
by Salvador Gómez-Colón

The Other Side

My Two Border Towns by David Bowles ill by Erika Meza

Border Stories: Picture Books

Jane Austen Remix

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix
by Ibi Zoboi read by Elizabeth Acevedo

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price read by Morag Sims

Of Courage and Cowardice

On the Hook by Francisco X. Stork

Try These Books

Meet the Author

Migrant Children

Hear My Voice/Escucha mi voz:
The Testimonies of Children Detained at the Southern Border of the United States
compiled by Warren Binford forward by Michael Garcia Bochenek

Want to help?

Meet the Artists

Stories to Read and Share

Will You Ever Fly Again?

The Land of the Cranes by Aida Salazar

Border Stories

Mayan Mythology

Rise of the Halfling King (Tales of the Feathered Serpent)
by David Bowles ill by Charlene Bowles

Dig Deeper

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

Where I Belong by Marcia Argueta Mickelson

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

Neverforgotten​by Alejandra Algorta art by Iván Rickenmann translation Aida Salazar

Hurricane: My Story of Resilience I Witness, #2​by Salvador Gómez-Colón

My Two Border Towns by David Bowles ill by Erika Meza

Border Stories: Picture Books

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remixby Ibi Zoboi read by Elizabeth Acevedo

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price read by Morag Sims

On the Hook by Francisco X. Stork

Try These Books

Meet the Author

Hear My Voice/Escucha mi voz:The Testimonies of Children Detained at the Southern Border of the United Statescompiled by Warren Binford forward by Michael Garcia Bochenek

Want to help?

Meet the Artists

Stories to Read and Share

The Land of the Cranes by Aida Salazar

Border Stories

Rise of the Halfling King (Tales of the Feathered Serpent)by David Bowles ill by Charlene Bowles

Dig Deeper

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

Neverforgotten
by Alejandra Algorta art by Iván Rickenmann translation Aida Salazar

Hurricane: My Story of Resilience I Witness, #2
by Salvador Gómez-Colón

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix
by Ibi Zoboi read by Elizabeth Acevedo

Hear My Voice/Escucha mi voz:
The Testimonies of Children Detained at the Southern Border of the United States
compiled by Warren Binford forward by Michael Garcia Bochenek

Rise of the Halfling King (Tales of the Feathered Serpent)
by David Bowles ill by Charlene Bowles