Mi Ciudad Sings

Mi Ciudad Sings
Author: Cynthia Harmony
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 32
Release: 2022-06-14
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0593520408

After experiencing a devastating earthquake, the spirit of a charming and vibrant Mexican neighborhood might be shaken, but it cannot be broken. As a little girl and her dog embark on their daily walk through the city, they skip and spin to the familiar sounds of revving cars, clanking bikes, friendly barks, and whistling camote carts. But what they aren't expecting to hear is the terrifying sound of a rumbling earthquake...and then...silence. With captivating text and lively, beautiful illustrations, this heartwarming story leaves readers with the message that they can choose to be strong and brave even when they are scared, and can still find joy and hope in the midst of sadness.

My Town

My Town
Author: Nicholas Solis
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2023
Genre: City and town life
ISBN:

Two cousins live in two towns, separated by a river. But there is also a bigger divide--the US-Mexico border--which means they live in different countries. On the girl's side, English is the main language, and on the boy's it's Spanish. The cousins love their towns, and they love visiting each other's, where they notice some things are the same and some are wonderfully different, adding up to a vibrant world full of even more possibilities. Author Nicholas Solis shows how border towns are special places, beautiful and dynamic, because two cultures can be better than one--and both cultures should be equally treasured and respected.

Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla

Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla
Author: Diana López
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 34
Release: 2021-07-20
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 0593110951

An exuberant picture book celebrating the life and legacy of Selena Quintanilla, beloved Queen of Tejano music. From a very early age, young Selena knew how to connect with people and bring them together with music. Sing with Me follows Selena's rise to stardom, from front-lining her family's band at rodeos and quinceañeras to performing in front of tens of thousands at the Houston Astrodome. Young readers will be empowered by Selena's dedication--learning Spanish as a teenager, designing her own clothes, and traveling around the country with her family--sharing her pride in her Mexican-American roots and her love of music and fashion with the world.

Coquí in the City

Coquí in the City
Author: Nomar Perez
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 32
Release: 2021-03-16
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 059310904X

A heartfelt picture book based on the author-illustrator's own experiences, about a boy who moves to the U.S. mainland from Puerto Rico and realizes that New York City might have more in common with San Juan than he initially thought. Miguel's pet frog, Coquí, is always with him: as he greets his neighbors in San Juan, buys quesitos from the panadería, and listens to his abuelo's story about meeting baseball legend Roberto Clemente. Then Miguel learns that he and his parents are moving to the U.S. mainland, which means leaving his beloved grandparents, home in Puerto Rico, and even Coquí behind. Life in New York City is overwhelming, with unfamiliar buildings, foods, and people. But when he and Mamá go exploring, they find a few familiar sights that remind them of home, and Miguel realizes there might be a way to keep a little bit of Puerto Rico with him--including the love he has for Coquí--wherever he goes.

With Lots of Love

With Lots of Love
Author: Jenny Torres Sanchez
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 32
Release: 2022-03-08
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0593464958

A beautiful, lyrical story about a girl who moves from her home in Central America to the United States, and everything she leaves behind and longs for—especially her Abuela—as she makes a new life. Rocio has grown up in Central America, but now she and her family are moving to the United States. Rocio does her best to adjust to a new way of living, but there are many things she misses from her old life—Abuela’s cooking, Abuela’s pinata creations, Abuela’s warm hugs, and of course, Abuela herself most of all. But Abuela finds a way to send Rocio something special just in time for her birthday—a gift wrapped with lots of love—and that fills Rocio to the brim.

The Year We Learned to Fly

The Year We Learned to Fly
Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 32
Release: 2022-01-04
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0399545549

Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López's highly anticipated companion to their #1 New York Times bestseller The Day You Begin illuminates the power in each of us to face challenges with confidence. On a dreary, stuck-inside kind of day, a brother and sister heed their grandmother’s advice: “Use those beautiful and brilliant minds of yours. Lift your arms, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and believe in a thing. Somebody somewhere at some point was just as bored you are now.” And before they know it, their imaginations lift them up and out of their boredom. Then, on a day full of quarrels, it’s time for a trip outside their minds again, and they are able to leave their anger behind. This precious skill, their grandmother tells them, harkens back to the days long before they were born, when their ancestors showed the world the strength and resilience of their beautiful and brilliant minds. Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical text and Rafael Lopez’s dazzling art celebrate the extraordinary ability to lift ourselves up and imagine a better world.

The World Belonged to Us

The World Belonged to Us
Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 21
Release: 2022-05-10
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0399545506

Two children’s book superstars—#1 New York Times bestseller Jacqueline Woodson, the author of The Day You Begin, and Leo Espinosa, the illustrator of Islandborn­—join forces to celebrate the joy and freedom of summer in the city, which is gloriously captured in their rhythmic text and lively art. It's getting hot outside, hot enough to turn on the hydrants and run through the water--and that means it's finally summer in the city! Released from school and reveling in their freedom, the kids on one Brooklyn block take advantage of everything summertime has to offer: Freedom from morning till night to go out to meet their friends and make the streets their playground--jumping double Dutch, playing tag and hide-and-seek, building forts, chasing ice cream trucks, and best of all, believing anything is possible. That is, till their moms call them home for dinner. But not to worry--they know there is always tomorrow to do it all over again--because the block belongs to them and they rule their world. (This book is also available in Spanish, as El mundo era nuestro!)

Alicia Alonso Dances On

Alicia Alonso Dances On
Author: Rose Viña
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Total Pages: 36
Release: 2021-10-01
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 080751456X

STARRED REVIEW! "The inspirational life of ballerina Alicia Alonso is shared with young readers in this lovingly illustrated beginning biography. The illustrations excellently depict Alicia's dedication as well as the difficulties with her eyesight and will inspire readers to chase their dreams amid challenges and struggles."—School Library Journal starred review Alicia Alonso wouldn't let her vision impairment keep her from dancing. As a young girl in Cuba, Alicia Alonso practiced ballet in tennis shoes. Within a few years, she was in New York City, with a promising ballet career. But her eyesight began to fail. When Alicia needed surgeries to save her vision, dancing was impossible, but she wouldn't give up her dream. She found the strength and determination to return to the stage and become a prima ballerina. This is the true story of a woman who overcame her challenges, mastered her art, and inspired others to dance and dream.

My Two Border Towns

My Two Border Towns
Author: David Bowles
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 36
Release: 2021-09-14
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0593111044

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. Available in English and Spanish.

The Magic Corncob

The Magic Corncob
Author: Cynthia Harmony
Publisher: Teacher Created Materials
Total Pages: 23
Release: 2022-05-02
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 108760138X

Lucas discovers a magical corncob that sends him on a journey to Mexico where he meets a new friend and learns more about his own family. Children will love this entertaining story with its message of the importance of family and cultural traditions. Colorful illustrations and simple text help emerging readers follow along with the story. With pre-reading questions, this book is ideal for guided reading and builds early literacy skills.