**Originally published in Latinxs in Kid Lit** **Co-written with Ingrid Campos** Ernesto Cisneros’ Efrén Divided (2020) centers Efrén Nava, a young Mexican-American boy who lives with his parents and two siblings in Highland, California. In the novel, Amá works as well as takes care of household responsibilities and Apá goes off to work. Efrén refers to Amá … Continue reading Book Review: Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros

Reviewed by Sonia Alejandra Rodriguez, PhD & Ingrid Campos Originally posted on Latinxs in Kid Lit OUR TWO CENTS: In We Are Not from Here (2020) Jenny Torres Sanchez tells the story of three Guatemalan teenagers Pulga, Chico, and Pequeña who, despite their loving families, are surrounded by danger in their pueblo, Puerto Barrios. The narrative voice switches between … Continue reading Book Review: We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez

Review by Sonia Alejandra Rodríguez, PhD and Ingrid Campos Originally posted on Latinxs in Kid Lit OUR TWO CENTS: ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat by Raúl the Third with color by Elaine Bay centers Little Lobo, his dog Bernabé, and his rooster friend, Kooky Dooky. Little Lobo takes his delivery services to El Coliseo to meet Luchador star, El … Continue reading Book Review: ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat by Raúl the Third with color by Elaine Bay

Review by Sonia Alejandra Rodriguez, PhD & Ingrid Campos  Originally posted on Latinx in Kid Lit DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK: There is much Juana is going to miss as she moves from Mexico to New York, but nothing more than her abuelo. Through letters to her grandfather, Juana details her flight, he new apartment, and … Continue reading Review of Dear Abuelo by Grecia Huesca Dominguez, illus. by Teresa Martinez

“Every woman in this house had inherited it, the same way they had inherited the loss and the broken hearts written into their blood” —Anna-Marie McLemore, Wild Beauty Estrella Nomeolvides refers to her and/or her family as being poison ten times throughout the novel. The Nomeolvides women grow flowers by digging their hands into the earth … Continue reading Generational Trauma and Learning to Love in Anna-Marie McLemore’s Wild Beauty

Throughout this presidential campaign, Donald Trump has referred to Latino men, generally speaking, as “criminals,” “rapists,” and “bad hombres.” Unfortunately, the image of Latino men in popular culture as hyper-masculine, violent, and dangerous is not new. Trump tapped into, and exploited, a long standing, racist, xenophobic fear of black and brown men in this country. … Continue reading Good Men & Bad Men: On Latino Masculinities in Joe Jiménez’s Bloodline

Gaby, Lost and Found by Angela Cervantes tells the story of Gaby Ramirez Howard, whose mom is deported to Honduras. Gaby is left under the care of her father, who she does not know well and who does not seem too interested in parenting. Gaby’s story is one that remains painfully relevant. Since 2009, more … Continue reading Gaby, Lost and Found: Expanding the Conversation on Latinx Kids Books + Immigration