A boy is living with his abuelita while his father is away. He dreads going to a new school on the first day because he has nothing special to share about himself. Each family member offers him an object, like a seashell, that represents a memory from the summer. The boy doesn't think any of these is interesting. But his abuelita whispers a secret in his ear. Whenever it's his turn to talk, all he needs to do is open his backpack. When the moment arrives, he dumps the backpack's contents onto the table. As his classmates pick up the objects, he retells the stories they represent. Suddenly, he is surprised that he has much to say. And when he returns home, his abuelita has an even bigger surprise.
A young boy's Hispanic grandmother in Santa Fe, New Mexico, reveals his Judaism to him as latest in a line hidden since the hateful expulsion of Jews from Spain. Includes brief glossary of Spanish and Hebrew words.
A unique holiday story about love overcoming the border fences between Mexico and the United States from a National Book Award nominee. A new must-read classic for Christmas! It's almost time for Christmas, and Maria is traveling with her mother and younger brother, Juan, to visit their grandmother on the border of California and Mexico to celebrate Las Posadas. For the few minutes they can share together along the fence, Maria and her brother plan to exchange stories and Christmas gifts with the grandmother they haven't seen in years. But when Juan's gift is too big to fit through the slats in the fence, Maria has a brilliant idea. She makes it into a kite that soars over the top of the iron bars. This heartwarming tale of multi-cultural families and the miracle of love was award-winning author Mitali Perkins's debut picture book.
The perfect Halloween read for trick-or-treators of all ages. Best-selling illustrator Lynn Munsinger puts pumpkins and autumn center stage in this rollicking take on the classic song, We're Going on a Bear Hunt. A spooky nighttime hunt for the biggest pumpkin in town results in a fright but also a great adventure and lots of fall fun. Laugh out loud at the sweet silliness and be heartened to know you might not be the only scaredy cat...er, mouse...in the pumpkin patch. The perfect read aloud Halloween. "Even without pumpkin pie, readers will hunt down this delightful Halloween offering." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Anita loves to bake with her abuela, especially when they are using her grandmother’s special recipes for Cuban desserts like flan! Anita is making flan for Abuelo’s birthday, but when she accidentally breaks Abuelita’s treasured flan serving plate from Cuba, she struggles with what to do. Anita knows it’s right to tell the truth, but what if Abuelita gets upset? Worried that she has already ruined the day, Anita tries to be the best helper. After cooking the flan, they need a serving dish! Anita comes up with a wonderful solution. Complete with a glossary of Spanish terms and a traditional recipe for flan, Abuelita and I Make Flan is a delicious celebration of food, culture, and family.
From National Book Award finalist, Mitali Perkins, comes a dramatic tale about a displaced Indian family in the 1970s. When Asha’s father loses his job and leaves India to look for work in America, Asha Gupta, her older sister, Reet, and their mother must wait with Baba’s brother and his family, as well as their grandmother, in Calcutta. Uncle is welcoming, but in a country steeped in tradition, the three women must abide by his decisions. Asha knows this is temporary—just until Baba sends for them. But with scant savings and time passing, the tension builds: Ma, prone to spells of sadness, finds it hard to submit to her mother- and sister-in-law; Reet’s beauty attracts unwanted marriage proposals; and Asha's promise to take care of Ma and Reet leads to impulsive behavior. Asha’s only solace is her rooftop hideaway, where she pours her heart out in her diary, and where she begins a clandestine friendship with Jay Sen, the boy next door—against the rules of the house. Asha can hardly believe that she, and not Reet, is the object of Jay’s attention. But when tragedy strikes, Asha must make a painful choice that will change their lives forever “Well-developed characters, funny dialogue, and the authentic depiction of spunky Asha's longing for romance and female self-determination, set in a culture that restrains women's choices, make this book an attractive pick.”—School Library Journal "Achingly realistic."—Kirkus "An intimate and absorbing drama.”—Publisher's Weekly "Heartbreaking and hopeful." —ALA Booklist
“A poignant tale of intergenerational connection, transition, and patience. . . . Heartfelt, layered, and beautiful.” — Booklist (starred review) Mia’s abuela has left her sunny house with parrots and palm trees to live with Mia and her parents in the city. While they cook, Mia helps Abuela learn English, and Mia learns some Spanish, too, but it’s still hard for Abuela to learn enough words to tell Mia her stories. Then Mia sees a parrot in the pet-shop window and has the perfecto idea for how to help them all communicate a little better. Here is an endearing tale that speaks loud and clear about the love that binds families across the generations.
A beautifully tender story touching on the range of emotions immigrants may feel when leaving their home countries – excitement and sorrow, fear and courage. Anita watches the dragons high above her as she hops from one cement roof to another in her village in the Dominican Republic. But being the valiant princesa she is, she never lets them scare her. Will she be brave enough to enter the belly of the beast and take flight to new adventures? A Barnes & Noble Bookseller Favorite. A BookTrust Book of the Month. A Love Reading For Schools Book of the Month. “A gorgeous story about the love of one’s homeland and the courage it takes to emigrate”—Kirkus Reviews, STARRED “Anita's courage as she flies off with the dragons to a new land will linger long after the final page”—Girls Read The World “What a punch this book packs. Hannah Carmona’s lyrical narrative is paired with THE dreamiest artwork by Anna Cunha – I’m obsessed with the color palette, and the gentle simplicity of her spreads is calming, yet full of energy”—The Little Literary Society
A delicious and fortifying picture book inspired by the author’s family, featuring the Mexican tradition of holiday tamale-making “What is the recipe?” I ask. Abuela laughs. “It is in my heart, Rosie. I use mis ojos, my eyes, to measure. Mis manos, my hands, to feel. Mi boca, my mouth, to taste. My abuela gave it to me, and I am giving it to you.” Each year on Christmas Eve, Rosie’s abuela, mamá, tía, sister, and cousins all gather together in Abuela’s kitchen to make tamales—cleaning corn husks, chopping onions and garlic, roasting chilis, kneading cornmeal dough, seasoning the filling, and folding it all—and tell stories. Rosie learns from her abuela not only how to make a delicious tamale, but how to make a delicious life, one filled with love, plenty of spice, and family.
A new novel from Angela Cervantes that uses the story of Frida Kahlo to help readers discover the true power of heritage, art, and family. A room locked for fifty years.A valuable peacock ring.A mysterious brother-sister duo.Paloma Marquez is traveling to Mexico City, birthplace of her deceased father, for the very first time. She's hoping that spending time in Mexico will help her unlock memories of the too-brief time they spent together. While in Mexico, Paloma meets Lizzie and Gael, who present her with an irresistible challenge: The siblings want her to help them find a valuable ring that once belonged to beloved Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Finding the ring means a big reward -- and the thanks of all Mexico. What better way to honor her father than returning a priceless piece of jewelry that once belonged to his favorite artist! But the brother and sister have a secret. Do they really want to return the ring, or are they after something else entirely?
