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Diverse Reads September 15 - October 15, 2021
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Dreamers
by Yuyi Morales
What it is: A lyrical and deeply moving account of a mother and son who immigrate from Mexico to the U.S., bringing the gifts of their love and creativity.
Art alert: Readers of all ages will be mesmerized by the glowing colors and rich textures in the fantastical, folk art-infused illustrations.
Don't miss: The real-life books that appear in the illustrations—kids can have fun finding them, both in the artwork and at the library.
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Alma and How She Got Her Name
by Juana Martinez-Neal
Starring: Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela, a little girl with a big name.
What happens: After Alma complains about her lengthy name, Daddy tells her about each of her storied namesakes, and reminds her that as the "first and only Alma" in their family, she gets to shape her own story.
Book buzz: This gentle story received a Caldecott Honor in 2019, given to the year's best picture books.
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Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
by Sonia Sotomayor; illustrated by Rafael LĂłpez
What it's about: As twelve kids work together in a garden, they get to know each other by asking questions.
What kind of questions? Questions such as "how do you use your senses?", "how do you get from place to place?", and "are you really good at something?" allow the kids to be matter-of-fact about how they live with disabilities and illnesses.
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Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln
by Margarita Engle; illustrated by Rafael LĂłpez
Starring: Teresa Carreño, who achieved worldwide fame as a pianist and musical prodigy.
At the age of six... Teresa is invited to perform at the White House for Abraham Lincoln's family. Can her music bring comfort during the dark days of the Civil War?
Don't miss: Rafael López's vivid illustrations, which were recognized with a 2020 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award.
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Efrén Divided
by Ernesto Cisneros
Starring: Efrén Nava, whose biggest worry is the school election until the day his mom (and personal hero) is deported from their California home to Mexico.
What happens: Efrén has to grow up fast, taking care of his five-year-old twin siblings while his dad works an extra job and searches for a way to reunite their family.
Why you might like it: Whether you find it familiar or eye-opening, Efrén's story is heart-wrenching, heartwarming, and memorable.
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Land of the Cranes
by Aida Salazar
What it is: A story in verse about one family's survival after they're separated by Immigration Customs Enforcement.
What happens: Nine-year-old Betita hopes for refuge in the U.S., but her papi is deported to Mexico and she and her mami are forced into a grim detention camp.
Is it for you? Though Betita's story may be too painful for some readers, others will welcome its poetry and un-sugarcoated point-of-view, which was inspired by the author's own childhood.
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The First Rule of Punk
by Celia C. PĂ©rez
Meet: Twelve-year-old MalĂş, fan of rock music, zines, and skateboarding.
What happens: MalĂş starts a band at school with some fellow misfits, but her school's administration doesn't take very kindly to this!
You might also like: Fans of this book may enjoy other stories with determined middle school heroines, such as Front Desk or From the Desk of Zoe Washington.
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Juliet Takes a Breath
by Gabby Rivera; illustrated by Celia Moscote
Featuring: Juliet Milagros Palante, a Bronx 19-year-old who comes out to her family just before heading to Portland. Juliet's story is loosely based on the author's own coming-of-age.
Don't miss: If you enjoyed this graphic novel, try the hit original novel that this comic was based on!
Reviewers say: "Captures the intensity and brilliance of the source material" (School Library Journal).
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Don't Ask Me Where I'm From
by Jennifer De Leon
Starring: Liliana, a gifted American Latinx writer who's uneasy about bussing from her familiar Boston city school to the bougie, mostly white Westburg High.
What happens: After learning that her dad didn't suddenly bail but was deported to Guatemala, Liliana longs for his safe return while grappling with how to fit in at Westburg—or if she even wants to.
About the author: This fast-paced, compelling own voices story is the first from author Jennifer De Leon.
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I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
by Erika L. Sánchez
Introducing: Fifteen-year-old Julia, who can't wait to start college and be herself.
What happens: Julia's older sister Olga was long considered the perfect child of the family. After a tragic accident, Julia discovers that Olga's life might not have been as perfect as her family thought.
About the author: Sanchez's debut novel was a big hit when it came out in 2017 and was a finalist for the National Book Award.
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We Were Here
by Matt de la Peña
The premise: A teen named Miguel is sentenced to a year in juvenile hall for committing a crime, and the judge has ordered him to keep a journal (this novel).
What happens: Miguel and two fellow inmates break out, and his diary recollects their travels and journey of self-discovery.
Reviewers say: "The suspense surrounding the boys' survival and the mystery of Miguel's crime result in a furiously paced and gripping novel" (Publishers Weekly).
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The House on Mango Street
by Sandra Cisneros
What it is: The coming-of-age tale of Esperanza Cordero, a 12-year-old growing up in a Hispanic neighborhood in Chicago. The book shares vignettes from Esperanza's life over the course of a year as she transforms from a child to a young adult.
Want a taste? "Friends and neighbors will say, What happened to that Esperanza? Where did she go with all those books and paper? Why did she march so far away?"
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L.A. Weather
by MarĂa Amparo EscandĂłn
What it is: A witty and warmhearted domestic drama that follows a year in the life of a wealthy Mexican-American family.
Book buzz: L.A. Weather is Reese Witherspoon's book club pick for September.
Reviewers say: "Absorbing, moving, comic and tragic, L.A. Weather will capture readers and never let them go" (Shelf Awareness).
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Certain Dark Things
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Starring: Domingo, a sanitation worker in Mexico City. Domingo is obsessed with vampires, but he may have bitten off more than he can chew when he crosses paths with a beautiful and dangerous descendant of Aztec blood drinkers.
You might also like: If you enjoyed Certain Dark Things, try Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic, an atmospheric horror tale that came out last year.
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Afterlife
by Julia Alvarez
The setup: A retired professor is reeling from the sudden loss of her beloved husband. Then, more surprises come up—she finds a pregnant teen in her garage and her unstable sister Izzy disappears.
About the author: Julia Alvarez is well-known for her modern classics In the Time of the Butterflies and How the GarcĂa Girls Lost Their Accents. When Afterlife came out in 2020, it was the author's first adult novel in fifteen years.
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The Book of Unknown Americans
by Cristina HenrĂquez
What it's about: Moving from Mexico to America when their daughter suffers a near-fatal accident, the Riveras confront cultural barriers, their daughter's difficult recovery, and her developing relationship with a Panamanian boy.
Reviewers say: "HenrĂquez’s feat is to make the reader feel at home amid these good, likable people" (The Wall Street Journal).
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Of Women and Salt
by Gabriela Garcia
What happens: In this sweeping multigenerational story, the lives of two immigrant families intersect.
Book buzz: Of Women and Salt was the Good Morning America Book Club Pick for April.
Reviewers say: "Garcia's vivid details, visceral prose and strong willful women negotiating how to survive in this world are easy to fall for" (Angie Cruz, author of Dominicana).
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The Distance Between Us
by Reyna Grande
What it is: The inspirational account of the author's childhood in Mexico, separation from her parents, and journey to the U.S.
Series alert: A Dream Called Home (the follow-up to The Distance Between Us) was released in 2018.
About the author: Reyna Grande has received an American Book Award and the Luis Leal Award for Distinction in Chicano/Latino Literature.
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Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood
by Danny Trejo; with Donal Logue
What it's about: Redemptive and painful, poignant and real, this memoir from one of the most recognizable character actors traces his journey from crime, prison, addiction and loss to unexpected fame.
Reviewers say: "A raw and deeply engrossing salvation story" (Kirkus Reviews).
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Rain of Gold
by Victor Villaseñor
The premise: This is the intergenerational story of Villaseñor's family's migration from revolutionary Mexico in the 20th century to California. The book focuses on three generations as they struggle with poverty and prejudice, love and life.
Want a taste? "And so, there in the penitentiary, Juan's education began. His earthly body was locked up, but his mind was set free as a young eagle soaring through the heavens."
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Every Day We Get More Illegal
by Juan Felipe Herrera
What it is: An incisive, compassionate, and hopeful new poetry collection from the nation's first Latino Poet Laureate.
Did you know? Herrera was born in Fowler and has served as chair of the Chicano and Latin American Studies Department at Fresno State.
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Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America
by Maria Hinojosa
What it's about: Hinojosa documents the story of immigration in America through the human lens of her family's experiences and her decades in the media.
About the author: In addition to serving as the anchor of Latino USA on NPR, Maria Hinojosa has won several Emmy Awards for her work.
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I Carry You with Me
What it's about: Based on a true story, this decades-spanning romance between an aspiring chef and a teacher follows their treacherous journey from Mexico to New York with dreams, hopes, and memories in tow.
Movie buzz: This film received multiple awards at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.
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In the Heights
Welcome to... the Washington Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan, where the scent of a cafecito caliente hangs in the air just outside the 181st Street subway stop.
What it's about: The likeable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes for, imagines, and sings about a better life.
Try this next: In the Heights: Finding Home is a new book that shares an inside look at the original musical that opened on Broadway in 2008.
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Roma
The setup: Roma looks at a middle-class family in 1970s Mexico City through the eyes of an indigenous domestic worker who keeps the household running.
What sets it apart: This film received ten nominations at the 91st Academy Awards, including one for Best Picture.
Critics say: "Thrilling, engrossing, moving—and just entirely amazing" (The Guardian).
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Selena
What it is: The true story of the Texas-born Tejano singer who rose from cult status to become one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers of all time.
Did you know? This film was Jennifer Lopez's breakout acting performance when it came out in 1997.
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Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Starring: Miles Morales, a New York teen who becomes the new Spider-Man.
What happens: Miles must team up with Spider-Man counterparts from parallel universes to save New York City from the Kingpin.
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Ballplayer: Pelotero
What it's about: Two Dominican Major League Baseball prospects face fierce competition and corruption as they chase their big league dreams.
Did you know? This revealing documentary about a little-known side of professional baseball is narrated by John Leguizamo.
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Cassandro the Exotico!
Introducing... Cassandro, star of the Mexican wrestlers known as the Exoticos, who has had a decades-long career of piledrivers and hard knocks in the wrestling ring.
Critics say: "Chronicles the wrestler's twilight years with affection, humor and gravitas" (The Hollywood Reporter).
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Chavela
What it is: A portrait of the life of Costa Rica-born Mexican ranchera singer, Chavela Vargas.
Did you know? In 2019, Vargas was inducted in the Rainbow Honor Walk, a San Francisco walk of fame honoring notable LGBTQ people.
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Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice
What it is: A recent documentary about musical icon Linda Ronstadt. Her extraordinary vocal range and ambition created unforgettable songs across rock, pop, country, folk ballads, American standards, classic Mexican music, and soul.
Topics of note: Ronstadt's childhood in Tucson, her beginnings in folk-rock and rise to international stardom, her retirement in 2011 due to Parkinson's, and more.
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The Mole Agent
Starring: Sergio Chamy, an octogenarian who is hired by a private eye to work as a mole at a retirement home in Chile, where the caretakers are suspected of elder abuse.
Movie buzz: At the 93rd Academy Awards, The Mole Agent was nominated for Best Documentary and Best International Feature Film.
Critics say: "We didn't get a James Bond film in 2020, but who needs one when we have Maite Alberdi's charming hybrid drama-documentary" (The Irish Times).
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Fresno County Public Library 2420 Mariposa St. Fresno, California 93721 559-600-READ (7323)www.fresnolibrary.org |
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