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Tom is back in Middle School Bites #2: Tom Bites Back! Tom was bit by a vampire, a werewolf, and a zombie right before the first day of middle school. At least his classmates seem to have accepted him! There are some cool things. Tom has night vision, and he’s super-fast and strong. Maybe life as a Vam-Wolf-Zom will be as EXCELLENT as his best friend, Zeke, predicted. But when the bat that bit Tom shows up and speaks to him, everything changes. Tom’s laugh-out-loud adventures continue as he navigates sixth grade despite being the only Vam-Wolf-Zom in the world. Created by an Emmy-nominated writer for SpongeBob.
Hi Kid Lit Friends,
September 15th marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, a thirty day celebration of the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. According to the National Hispanic American Heritage Month website, “The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.”
There are hundreds of beautiful books by Hispanic authors. The American Library Association awards the Belpré Award every year, which is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. For a complete list, check out this website.
I, of course, have some books I would like to share with you in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month! Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Edel Rodriguez, is a picture book biography about one of America’s Supreme Court Justices. Justice Sotomayor grew up in the Bronx and didn’t have a lot growing up, but she had what she needed — her mother’s love, a will to learn, and her own determination. This book has both English and Spanish translations.
Another wonderful picture book biography is Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illustrated by Paola Escobar. When Pura came to America in 1921, she carried the folk stories of her Puerto Rican homeland. She found a job at the New York Public Library as a bilingual assistant and shared stories of her country during story time. Her life was filled with adventure and new challenges, and all along the way she promoted the magic of books.
Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal is one of my favorite picture books. Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela has way too many names: six! Alma turns to Daddy for an answer about all of these names and learns of Sofia, the grandmother who loved books and flowers; Esperanza, the great-grandmother who longed to travel; José, the grandfather who was an artist; and other namesakes, too. The illustrations in this book are charming and filled with joy!
For early readers, check out Juana and Lucas by Juana Medina. Juana loves many things: drawing, living in Bogotá, Colombia, and especially her dog, Lucas, the best amigo ever. She does not love wearing her itchy school uniform, solving math problems, or learning the English. Why is it so important to learn a language that makes so little sense? This book, written in English, is sprinkled with Spanish words and phrases, perfect for newly independent readers who are beginning to decode.
A chapter book series that is great for newly independent readers is the Stella Díaz series by Angela Dominguez. In the first book, Stella Díaz Has Something to Say, Stella finds herself in a new school year without her best friend Jenny. When a new boy arrives in Stella’s class, she really wants to be his friend, but sometimes Stella accidentally speaks Spanish instead of English and pronounces words wrong. Can Stella gain the confidence she needs to make a new friend?
For middle grade readers, check out Celia C. Pérez’s fantastic debut, The First Rule of Punk. Twelve-year-old Malú begins her first day at a new school by inadvertently upsetting Posada Middle School’s queen bee, violates the school’s dress code with her punk rock look, and disappoints her college-professor mom in the process. Her dad, who now lives a thousand miles away, says things will get better as long as she remembers the first rule of punk: be yourself. The real Malú loves rock music, skateboarding, zines, and Soyrizo (hold the cilantro, please). Can she stand up to the school administration to fight for her right to express herself?
Fantasy readers will love Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez. When Gabi Real meets Sal Vidon, Gabi learns that he’s not just a regular middle school magician, he’s capable of conjuring things much bigger than a rabbit out of a hat–including his dead mother. When Gabi takes it all in stride, Sal knows that she is someone he can work with. There’s only one slight problem: their manipulation of time and space could put the entire universe at risk.
One more middle grade book to close out this list. Newbery Award winning book Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina is a must read. Merci Suárez has never been completely like the other kids at her private school in Florida, because she and her older brother, Roli, are scholarship students. They don’t have a big house or a fancy boat, and they have to do extra community service to make up for their free tuition. Check out my interview with Meg about her fantastic book here.
What are you reading these days? Let me know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.
Until next time!
Karina
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