DOÑA FELA’S DREAM: THE STORY OF PUERTO RICO’S FIRST FEMALE MAYOR, by Monica Brown and Rosa Ibarra, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Sept. 3, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

Learn the story of Puerto Rico’s first female mayor in Doña Fela’s Dream, written by Monica Brown and illustrated Rosa Ibarra.

Though she was born before women on her island were allowed to vote, Felisa Rincón de Gautier did not let that stop her from becoming the first female mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1946. Easily spotted on the streets of San Juan by her flair and the jasmine flowers braided into her hair, she radiated style and grace. Doña Fela, as she affectionately came to be called, loved her city.

Doña Fela was always ready to listen to problems and find solutions. With determination and resilience, she brought lasting change to the island. Doña Fela’s inspiring story as a visionary leader is brought to life on the page through stunning paintings that evoke the vibrant colors and culture of Puerto Rico. —Synopsis provided by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Doña Fela’s Dream tells the story of a trailblazing woman that is often overlooked in discussions of how Latin American figures have shaped our country. To be honest, I was a history major, and I had no idea who Doña Fela was before reading this book. And now I want to know even more. The same holds true for my 10-year-old, who loves biographies.

It’s easy to see how Doña Fela’s Dream would appeal to lots of young readers, especially girls. The idea that Doña Fela believed love, not just politics, that got things done resonates.

Author Monica Brown’s text is clear and inviting. And illustrator Rosa Ibara’s oil on canvas paintings set the tone. Her use of color and patterns truly give readers a sense of what Puerto Rico is like.

Doña Fela’s Dream is a fascinating nonfiction picture book that is sure to inspire.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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BORDERLANDS AND THE MEXICAN AMERICAN STORY (Race to the Truth), by David Dorado Romo, Crown Books for Young Readers, Aug. 20, 2024, Paperback, $8.99 (ages 10 and up)

Learn the story of our country from the Mexican American perspective in Borderlands and the Mexican American Story, by David Dorado Romo.

The Mexican American story is usually carefully presented as a story of immigrants: migrants crossing borders, drawn to the promise of a better life. In reality, Mexicans were on this land long before any borders existed. Their culture and practices shaped the Southwestern part of this country, in spite of relentless attempts by white colonizers and settlers to erase them.

From missions and the Alamo to muralists, revolutionaries, and teen activists, this is the true story of the Mexican American experience. —Synopsis provided by Crown Books for Young Readers

More often than not, American history is told through a “white” lens. The problem is, America is not just a white country. It’s a blend of peoples and cultures of diverse skin tones, and by ignoring the past, it’s hard to understand the struggles of today.

Borderlands and the Mexican Story is part of Crown Books for Young Readers’ excellent Race to the Truth series. The series “Tells the true history of America from the perspective of different communities. Each book tells the story of our country from its very beginning to present. These books correct common falsehoods and achievements. They encourage readers to ask questions and approach new information thoughtfully.” Other books in the series include Exclusion and the Chinese American Story;  Colonization and the Wampanoag Story; and Slavery and the African American Story.

Author David Dorado Romo grew up and lived on the border between the US and Mexico. This provided him with a first-hand perspective when writing Borderlands and the Mexican Story. The book begins with native migrations before there were borders and moves through Spanish colonization in the Southwest and the Mexican American War. Romo focuses on the Mexican Revolution and the ethnic cleansing of brown America. Following WWII came the rise of the Chicano movement and the Hispanic decade before more recent issues surrounding the border.

Borderlands and the Mexican Story is expertly researched. Romo’s writing is clear and accessible. And black-and white images as well as information boxes help break up the text. This book would make an excellent supplement for public or homeschool classes.

About the author:

David Dorado Romo is a writer, translator, musician, and historian from the American southwest. He is a “fronterizo,” a person who grew up and lived on the border between the United States and Mexico. Steeped in the fronterizo spirit that strongly defines the attitudes of the U.S.-Mexico border region, Romo conducted a four-year search to document the important history of the area. The book that resulted from his work, Ringside Seat to a Revolution: An Underground Cultural History of ElPaso and Juarez, 1893-1923, “is a vital historical work for the Southwest,” commented Sergio Troncoso in the El Paso Times.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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TURTLES OF THE MIDNIGHT MOON, by María José Fitzgerald, Knopf Books for Young Readers, March 14, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Two girls team up to save endangered leatherback turtles in Turtles of the Midnight Moon, a middle-grade novel by María José Fitzgerald.

Twelve-year-old Barana lives in a coastal village in Honduras, where she spends every spare minute visiting the sea turtles that nest on the beach.

Abby is feeling adrift in sixth grade, trying to figure out who she is and where she belongs after her best friend moved away from New Jersey.

When Abby’s papi plans a work trip to Honduras, she is finally given the opportunity to see his homeland—with Barana as her tour guide. But Barana has other plans: someone has been poaching turtle eggs, and she’s determined to catch them! Before long, Abby and Barana are both consumed by the mystery, chasing down suspects, gathering clues, and staking out the beach in the dead of night. . . . Will they find a way to stop the poachers before it’s too late?

A heart-pounding mystery with a hint of magic, María José Fitzgerald’s debut novel explores the power of friendship, community, and compassion to unite all living creatures. —Synopsis provided by Knopf Books for Young Readers

Turtles of the Midnight Moon is told from the alternating viewpoints of Abby and Barana. The two girls are opposites in many ways — Abby is quiet and contemplative, and Barana is passionate and bold. But they are both thoughtful and creative and have firm ideas against injustices. It’s the perfect pairing.

Author María José Fitzgerald beautifully mixes English and Spanish, providing non-Spanish speakers with enough context to understand while pushing them to see beyond the known. This sets the tone for the entire book.

Equally as lovely is Fitzgerald’s descriptions. She transports readers to the humid lands of Honduras. The animals, ocean, wilds and food call all senses.

Turtles of the Midnight Moon is a lovely, character-driven contemporary novel of friendship, family and being at one with nature. It’s a great choice as we gear up for the winter season in the United States.

*Turtles of the Midnight Moon is a Cybils-nominated book. This review is my opinion and not the opinion of the middle-grade fiction panel as a whole.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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ANIANA DEL MAR JUMPS IN, by Jasminne Mendez, Dial Books, March 14, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

 Aniana del Mar Jumps In, by Jasminne Mendez follows a 12-year-old Dominican American swimmer who is diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Aniana del Mar belongs in the water like a dolphin belongs to the sea. But she and Papi keep her swim practices and meets hidden from Mami, who has never recovered from losing someone she loves to the water years ago. That is, until the day Ani’s stiffness and swollen joints mean she can no longer get out of bed, and Ani is forced to reveal just how important swimming is to her. Mami forbids her from returning to the water but Ani and her doctor believe that swimming along with medication will help Ani manage her disease.

What follows is the journey of a girl who must grieve who she once was in order to rise like the tide and become the young woman she is meant to be. This is a story about chronic illness and disability, the secrets between mothers and daughters, the harm we do to the ones we love the most—and all the triumphs, big and small, that keep us afloat. —Synopsis provided by Dial Books

A novel-in-verse, Aniana del Mar Jumps In is a beautiful exploration of family dynamics, intergenerational trauma and bodily autonomy.

Jasminne Mendez’s verse has a gentleness to it while still hitting a punch. Her pauses, phrasing and use of different poetic forms — concrete/shape, Haiku, Tanka — echo the ebb and flow of the water Ani so desperately wants to swim in. The current that runs through them is accessible and electric. And young readers will especially be drawn to the words that quite literally take shape on the page.

Ani’s story unfolds in first-person, giving readers an intimate look at her vulnerabilities as well as her strengths. Her personal growth and the growth of her family members are experiences worth reading.

Aniana del Mar Jumps In is well worth your time.

*Aniana del Mar Jumps In is a Cybils-nominated book. This review is my opinion and not the opinion of the middle-grade fiction panel as a whole.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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FAREWELL CUBA, MI ISLA, by Alexandra Diaz, Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, Sept. 5, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

Victoria loves everything about her home in Cuba. The beautiful land, the delicious food, her best friend and cousin, Jackie, and her big, loving family.

But it’s 1960 in Cuba, and as the political situation grows more and more dangerous, Victoria, her parents, and her two younger siblings are forced to seek refuge in America with nothing more than two changes of clothes and five dollars. Worse, they’re forced to leave the rest of their family, including Jackie, behind.

In Miami, everything is different. And it’s up to Victoria to step up and help her family settle into this new world—even though she hopes they won’t be there for long. Back in Cuba, everything feels different, too. Jackie watches as friends and family flee, or worse, disappear. So, when she’s given a chance to escape to America, she takes it—even though she has to go alone. Reunited in Miami, can Victoria and Jackie find a way to bring the rest of their family to safety?

Based on Alexandra Diaz’s mother’s real experiences as a Cuban refugee in America, this is a moving and timely story about family, friendship, and fighting for your future.

ONCE I WAS YOU — ADAPTED FOR YOUNG READERS: FINDING MY VOICE AND PASSING THE MIC, by Maria Hinojosa, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition, Aug. 29, 2023, Paperback, $8.99 (ages 8-12)

“There is no such thing as an illegal human being.”

Maria Hinojosa is an Emmy Award–winning journalist, a bestselling author, and was the first Latina to found a national independent nonprofit newsroom in the United States. But before all that, she was a girl with big hair and even bigger dreams. Born in Mexico and raised in the vibrant neighborhood of Hyde Park, Chicago, Maria was always looking for ways to better understand the world around her—and where she fit into it.

Here, she combines stories from her life, beginning with her family’s harrowing experience of immigration, with truths about the United States’s long and complicated relationship with the people who cross its borders, by choice or by force. Funny, frank, and thought-provoking, Maria’s voice is one you will want to listen to again and again.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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The following picture books are just some of the many that celebrate Hispanic cultures. They are listed in order of suggested age and publication date. Synopses are provided by the publishers.

ALMA, HEAD TO TOE/ALMA, DE PIES A CABEZA (Alma’s Words/Las palabras de Alma), by Juana Martinez-Neal, Candlewick; Bilingual edition, Sept. 5, 2023, Board Book, $8,99 (ages 2-5)

Get to know Alma, head to toe . . . in two languages! The beloved star of the Caldecott Honor Book Alma and How She Got Her Name appears in a joy-filled bilingual board book featuring words and simple phrases in English and Spanish.

I have two eyes, one nose, and a mouth. / Tengo dos ojos, una nariz y una boca.
I see you, Pajarito! / ¡Te veo, Pajarito!

Alma is known for her iconic stripes—but there’s more she’d like to show you! She has arms, hands, and fingers for patting a pet bird—as well as legs, feet, toes, and one adorable belly, below her ever-present heart. Juana Martinez-Neal’s bilingual board book teaches body parts while sharing moments in a little girl’s world, in a conversational narration (shown in both languages on every spread) combined with gentle, inviting illustrations.

DÍA DE MUERTOS: A PAPEL PICADO LIFT-THE-FLAP BOOK, by Dori Elys and Alicia Más, Little Simon, July 18, 2023, Board Book, $8.99 (ages 2-5)

In the vein of Coco, this bright board book highlights the beauty of Día de Muertos with colorful felt lift-the-flaps that look just like papel picado revealing details of the holiday.

“¡Bienvenidos! Welcome!
It’s Dia de Muertos.
Won’t you join us
in this colorful celebration?”

With vibrant illustrations and flaps die-cut to look like papel picado, the intricately designed sheets of tissue paper, this joyful board book teaches young ones how to honor loved ones around us and those who have passed on.

REMEMBERING, by Xelena González and Adriana M. Garcia, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Aug. 29, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

A family remembers their beloved pet dog through the traditions of Día de Muertos in this poignant and brightly illustrated picture book from Pura Belpré Honor–winning team Xelena González and Adriana M. Garcia.

A child and their family observe the customs of Día de los Angelitos, one of the ritual celebrations of Día de Muertos, to celebrate the life of their beloved dog who passed away. They build a thoughtful ofrenda to help lead the pet’s soul home and help the little one process their grief in this moving reminder that loved ones are never really gone if we take the time to remember them.

EMPANADAS FOR EVERYONE, by Jackie Azúa Kramer and Lenny Wen, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Aug. 1, 2023, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

Every Saturday, Carina visits Tía Mimi in her barrio, which is always humming with life. There is música that hums from the windows, old cuentos floating on the breeze, and the honking of cars that creates the soundtrack of the morning. Every Saturday, she loves to make empanadas with her aunt, singing: “I like empanadas! I like you! ¡Me gustan las empanadas! ¡Me gustas tú!”

Not this Saturday though. This Saturday, Tía Mimi has gone to volunteer at the neighborhood food center and asks Carina to collect the ingredients all on her own. But maybe, with a little guidance from friends, Carina will be able to help Tía Mimi—and learn a little about what connects a community along the way.

PLÁTANOS ARE LOVE, by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris and Mariyah Rahman, Atheneum Books for Young Readers; Bilingual edition, April 11, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

Abuela says, “plátanos are love.”
I thought they were food.
But Abuela says they feed us in more ways than one.

With every pop of the tostones, mash of the mangú, and sizzle of the maduros, a little girl learns that plátanos are her history, they are her culture, and—most importantly—they are love.

ANCIENT NIGHT, by David Bowles and David Alvarez, Levine Querido, March 14, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

At the start of things, the elders say,
the universe was hushed and still.
The moon alone shone bright and round
in the star-speckled dark of the sky.

Here, in Ancient Night (Noche Antigua), David Álvarez displays his immense talent with full-color illustrations for the first time.

Ancient Night is a twist on two Nahuatl traditions: the rabbit which the Feathered Serpent placed on the moon, and Yaushu, the Lord Opossum who ruled the earth before humans came, and who stole fire from the gods to create the sun.

Award-winning author David Bowles has written a poetic text – and carefully researched backmatter – to accompany David’s lush illustrations and story. The book will be published simultaneously in English and Spanish editions, giving young readers everywhere the chance to savor this ancient tale in its most beautiful format possible.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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I AM NOT ALONE, by Francisco X. Stork, Scholastic Press, July 18, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (young adult)

Award-winning author Francisco X. Stork revisits some of the themes and ideas that made Marcelo in the Real World such an unforgettable novel.

Alberto’s life isn’t easy: He’s an undocumented immigrant from Mexico who lives with his sister’s abusive boyfriend―but he’d always accepted his place in the world. Until he starts hearing the voice of a man called Captain America, a voice that wants him to achieve more, no matter the cost.

Grace has it all: She has a supportive boyfriend, she’s on track to be valedictorian, and she’s sure to go to the college of her dreams. Still, nothing feels right to her any more after the divorce of her parents, and feels she needs something more.

When Alberto and Grace meet, they have an immediate and electric connection. But when Alberto is present at the scene of a terrible crime, he becomes a suspect. And with his developing schizophrenia, he’s not even sure he believes in his own innocence.

Can Grace find a way to prove Alberto’s innocence to himself and the world?

This is a page-turning thriller and a sensitive story about mental health, love, and community that will appeal to anyone who has struggled with their place in the world, from award-winning author Francisco X. Stork.

BORDERLESS, by Jennifer De Leon, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, April 25, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (young adult)

Caught in the crosshairs of gang violence, a teen girl and her mother set off on a perilous journey from Guatemala City to the US border.

For seventeen-year-old Maya, trashion is her passion, and her talent for making clothing out of unusual objects landed her a scholarship to Guatemala City’s most prestigious design school and a finalist spot in the school’s fashion show. Mamá is her biggest supporter, taking on extra jobs to pay for what the scholarship doesn’t cover, and she might be even more excited than Maya about what the fashion show could do for her future career.

So when Mamá doesn’t come to the show, Maya doesn’t know what to think. But the truth is worse than she could have imagined. The gang threats in their neighborhood have walked in their front door—with a boy Maya considered a friend, or maybe even more, among them. After barely making their escape, Maya and her mom have no choice but to continue their desperate flight all the way through Guatemala and Mexico in hopes of crossing the US border.

They have to cross. They must cross! Can they?

WINGS IN THE WILD, by Margarita Engle, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, April 18, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (young adult)

Winged beings are meant to be free. And so are artists, but the Cuban government has criminalized any art that doesn’t meet their approval. Soleida and her parents protest this injustice with their secret sculpture garden of chained birds. Then a hurricane exposes the illegal art, and her parents are arrested.

Soleida escapes to Central America alone, joining the thousands of Cuban refugees stranded in Costa Rica while seeking asylum elsewhere. There she meets Dariel, a Cuban American boy whose enigmatic music enchants birds and animals—and Soleida.

Together they work to protect the environment and bring attention to the imprisoned artists in Cuba. Soon they discover that love isn’t about falling—it’s about soaring together to new heights. But wings can be fragile, and Soleida and Dariel come from different worlds. They are fighting for a better future—and the chance to be together.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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WATER DAY, by Margarita Engle and Olivia Sua, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Aug. 22, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

A young girl and her community celebrating the arrival of their weekly water delivery in Water Day, by Margarita Engle and Olivia Sua.

Water days are busy days,
grateful, laughing,
thirsty days.

A small village no longer has a water supply of its own, but one young girl and her neighbors get by with the help of the water man. When he comes to town, water flows like hope for the whole familia, and everyone rejoices. —Synopsis provided by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Water Day helps children understand that what is normal for them may not be normal for kids all around the world. So many people take clean drinking water for granted. In her author’s note, Margarita Engle explains the challenges around getting potable water, goes into detail on the global water crisis and explains the importance of mosquitofish.

Engle’s poetic prose is sparse yet packed with information. And Olivia Sua captures the excitement tied to Water Day. Her depiction of a Cuban village comes to life through painted cut paper.

Water Day is an excellent jumping off point for multiple classroom discussions.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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MEXIKID, by Pedro Martín, Dial Books, Aug. 1, 2023, Hardcover, $24.99, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 10 and up)

Author Pedro Martin shares the emotions and adventures behind moving his abuelito to the United Stated in his memoir, Mexikid.

Pedro Martin has grown up hearing stories about his abuelito — his legendary crime-fighting, grandfather who was once a part of the Mexican Revolution! But that doesn’t mean Pedro is excited at the news that Abuelito is coming to live with their family. After all, Pedro has eight brothers and sisters and the house is crowded enough! Still, Pedro piles into the Winnebago with his family for a road trip to Mexico to bring Abuelito home, and what follows is the trip of a lifetime, one filled with laughs and heartache. Along the way, Pedro finally connects with his abuelito and learns what it means to grow up and find his grito. —Synopsis provided by Dial Books

Mexikid is a road trip like no other. From laugh-out-loud hijinks to gross-out moments and everything in between, it’s a journey that readers won’t soon forget.

Pedro is a dynamic storyteller. Because Mexikid is a memoir, Pedro’s voice is there from the start. The story rings with authenticity. It almost feels like you’re at a family gathering listening to the story around the dinner table.

The story unfolds through a blend of cartoon, comic-style illustrations that are bold and full of exuberance.

Mexikid is the story of a multi-generational, immigrant family that’s full of love, laughter and bigger-than-life lore. It’s a heartwarming read that readers will gobble up.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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BARELY FLOATING, by Lilliam Rivera, Kokila, Aug. 29, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 9-12)

A 12-year-old discovers friendship and emotional fulfillment through synchronized swimming in Barely Floating, by Lilliam Rivera.

Natalia De La Cruz Rivera y Santiago, also known as Nat, was swimming neighborhood kids out of their money at the local Inglewood pool when her life changed. The LA Mermaids performed, emerging out of the water with matching sequined swimsuits, and it was then that synchronized swimming stole her heart.

The problem? Her activist mom and professor dad think it’s a sport with too much emphasis on looks — on being thin and white. Nat grew up the youngest in a house full of boys, so she knows how to fight for what she wants, often using her anger to fuel her. People often underestimate her swimming skills when they see her stomach rolls, but she knows better than to worry about what people think. Still, she feels more like a submarine than a mermaid, but she wonders if she might be both. —Synopsis provided by Kokila

Barely Floating is more than just a swimming story. It’s the exploration of body image, community, family, building community and finding your voice.

At first glance, Nat has no problem using her voice. Having grown up in a family of activists, she’s keen to stand up against any perceived wrong. But when it comes to her parents, especially her mom, Nat doesn’t stand a chance. Her mom’s opinion is law, and that’s particularly hard when your mom hates anything to do with “beauty.”

Nat is a vibrant character who grabs your attention from the start. She’s not ashamed of her size, but struggles when other people make it important. She loves sequins and sparkles and beauty magazines, even though she’s not supposed to like them. Her bold personality resonates throughout the novel, daring you not to follow her journey.

There’s a lot going on in Barely Floating, but author Lilliam Rivera does a great job balancing everything. Nat’s moments in the pool are magical. And they feel more so when juxtaposed with her balancing everything else.

Barely Floating is one of those books that’s going to resonate with readers from all walks of life — swimmers or not.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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