Two recently published books share a common denominator: a young girl anonymously authors a local newspaper's advice column. The two books are quite different: Dear Sweet Pea is contemporary fiction for middle grade readers and The Downstairs Girl is historical fiction for young adults. Both are standouts.

Snippets from the advice column are interspersed throughout the narrative and deal with topics important to tweens: building and repairing friendships, dealing with awkward situations, weathering and surviving change at home,

Dear Sweet Pea oozes with southern charm. There's so much to love here: A vulnerable young girl caught up in a messy predicament. Concerned and sometimes overprotective parents. The agony of clothing shopping when nothing fits. As a bonus, there is a fifteen-pound live cat named Cheese, a dead stuffed cat who goes by Bette Davis, and a whole lotta Aretha Franklin. It's as good as gravy. ​Thank you, Julie Murphy.

In time she discovers some of Atlanta's darkest secrets, including a shocking revelation about her own past. ​There is plenty of intrigue: Clandestine meetings in a graveyard. Confronting a despicable Atlanta criminal. Listening in on private conversations via a secret connecting tube.

Readers will discover several fascinating tidbits scattered through this first person narration: Elaborate Chinese knot work (Take a look at some gorgeous samples.) Horse racing in 19th century Atlanta and a female jockey.  A glimpse into a suffragette meeting.  (Love those snazzy sashes.)
​Heart-warming, pulse-pounding, eye-opening historical fiction. The Downstairs Girl is a captivating read.

He's a 7th grade student who enjoys sharing books, comics, movies, and gaming with his nerdy friends. He fluidly moves between two countries, navigating crowded middle school hallways and the bustling pulga. He is equally comfortable communicating in Spanish, English, Spanglish, and colloquial Texan. ​English teacher Mrs. Wong expands his multicultural view of the world, incorporating Aztec, Mayan, Chinese and Korean mythology into the curriculum. ​

This first person memoir takes shape through multiple poetic forms such as haiku, rhyming couplets, and free verse.  "Mis Otros Abuelos" is a concrete poem which narrows as the family crosses the bridge connecting the two countries and expands as the family travels further into the interior of each country. 

What Do You Do with a Voice Like That? The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan traces her life, beginning with her childhood in the Fifth Ward of Houston, Texas. Barton mentions the influence that her grandfather and her high school teachers had on her decision to study law. He details her service first as a Texas state senator and later as a United States Congresswoman. The concluding pages reveal her struggle with multiple sclerosis and her decision to return to Texas, teaching at the University of Texas at Austin.

The narrative emphasizes Barbara Jordan’s distinctive communication abilities by frequently repeating the word voice. The multiple meanings for this term are implied as readers learn of her unwavering defense of principle. Thought-provoking questions are posed. Each page turn brings answers and further elaboration. Barton makes it clear that in additional to her verbalization skills, Jordan is remembered for her devotion to the constitution and the values of right and wrong.

Page design and layout is particularly striking. Collages include campaign memorabilia and a photo of a television screen, which lend authenticity to the work. Innovative use of font size and color give added emphasis to key points. ​Back matter includes an author's note, time line, a list of recommended books and videos.

​This exceptional picture book is a treat for the mind, heart, and eyes. What a fitting tribute to a remarkable woman. Well done, Mr. Barton and Ms. Holmes.

After reading about the life of this extraordinary woman, view a video retrospective of her life and a recording of her opening statement during the congressional impeachment hearings. Her voice is compelling. Her influence is immeasurable.

Here are samples of her exquisite poetry

All the Wind in the World, Mabry's second novel for young adults transports readers to The Real Marvelous, a Texas ranch where jimadors toil countless hours in the blazing desert sun harvesting maguey. Lopping out the hearts of this cactus is soul-numbing, back-breaking, hope-stifling labor.  Sarah Jac Crow and James Holt have a plan to escape their fates in Chicago, work as jimadors, and earn enough money to move to a home of their own on the East Coast.
But the desert and particularly Real Marvelous have a power over its inhabitants. There are witches and curses, death and plagues. And the ever present wind.  Always the wind.
The story is brimming with evocative language that casts its own spell on readers.  There are numerous references to Biblical literature: Sarah posing as a cousin to protect her relationship with James, the escape after killing an overseer of the field workers, and a series of plagues including a devastating attack of bees. The book's mystical elements are rich in symbolism.  Enter a world of heat and pain, longing and loss. The images remain long after turning the final page.

Sal has two friends who figure predominantly in his life: Samantha (Sam) and Fito. The backgrounds for both of these teens contrast sharply with the warm and stable home life Sal knows. He sees the pain which his friends constantly experience and reflects "I guess life hurts everybody. I didn't understand the logic of this thing we call living. Maybe I wasn't supposed to."
Both Sam and Fito cope with emotional abandonment and rejection. All three friends must come to terms with complicated and conflicting emotions with respect to adults in their lives. "just because my love isn't perfect doesn't mean i don't love you"  
The specter of death permeates each of their young lives. Each experiences loss and learns what it is to grieve.
"Life had its seasons, and the season of letting go would always come, but there was something very beautiful in that, in the letting go."

The story opening makes it clear that the act of remembering is an essential component of identity.  “We are what we remember.”
​“I had a picture of my dad teaching me how to tie a tie, taken the morning before my First Communion…I had a picture of Mima holding me in her arms when I was four. She had all this love in her eyes, and I swear I could drown in all that love.”

The endearing appellation “Oh mijito” and other Spanish phrases radiate family warmth and connection. From the fresh tortillas slathered with butter to the kitchen filled with traditional tamale-making, readers feel a strong sense of home and family.
A story of beginnings and endings, life and death, confliction and resolution, faith and doubt; Saenz has created a tale of “Life (that) had a logic all its own."

Gracias Benjamin Alire Sáenz, for this luminous literary gift.

Welcome to the world of lucha libre, a high intensity freestyle form of wrestling. This entertaining sport, originating in Mexico, differs significantly from Greco-Roman wrestling. The competition involves a series of rapid holds and includes "high flying" maneuvers. Individual competitors, known as luchadores, wear distinctive colorful masks.

Want to read more about Lucha Libre?   Garza has got this covered.

This mélange of Latino culture, Aztec mythology and basic geology takes readers on an action-packed ride in Lupe's meticulously-detailed low-riding classic Impala. Lupe Impala and her sidekicks Elirio Malaria and El Chavo Flapjack Octopus set off to find their beloved cat Genie. Their search takes them deep inside the earth where they encounter Mictlantecuhhli, fierce Aztec god of the underworld. The story concludes with an extravagant Dia de los Muertos celebration. That is one wild ride!

On Saturday February 20 I attended the Teen Bookfest By the Bay, a teen book festival created by a group of dedicated school and public librarians, as well as educators in South Texas. It was quite an experience.
The venue, a Corpus Christi high school, was filled with kids who opted to spend the day talking about books.
That in itself is impressive.
Add to that the number of teachers who brought bus loads of students from all parts of the region.

But here's where it got really interesting. This is South, way South, Texas. This meant that the overwhelming majority of teens who attended this event were Latino. Breakout sessions, book selling tables, author signings were swarmed with masses of young readers who wanted to learn more about, discuss, and share YA books.

And it gets even better. By my count five Latino authors were featured. They naturally infuse their writing with their culture. Books include plots that feature a middle grade adventure featuring a nagual i.e. a shape shifter; a young teen coping with the devastating effects of a terminal illness in her close-knit family; a girl who hopes to communicate with her deceased mother with an Incan artifact; the coming-of-age of a young man in a small Texas town,; and an eleven year-old boy who travels to the Underworld. These books feature imaginative storylines, characters with depth, and have high teen appeal. There is some great reading here. David Bowles' The Smoking Mirror was awarded a 2016 Pura Belpre Honor. Guadalupe Garcia McCall's Under the Mesquite was a 2012 Pura Belpre Award winner, 2012 Morris Award finalist and earned a starred review from Kirkus. Seeing Off the Johns by Rene S. Perez garnered a starred review from School Library Journal.

Here are Latino teens who love to read, Here Latino authors who love to write. Here are small publishers such as Lee & Low, Cinco Puntos Press, Cedar Fort, and IFWG Publishing who bring these stories to publication.

Due to the efforts of educators and librarians, Latino teens and authors were able to come together for one magic Saturday in South Texas.
This event represents an excellent model for celebrating and promoting diverse readers, authors, books, and communities.
Thank you Teen Bookfest By the Bay!