★ "Balcárcel's well-rounded characters, complex friendships, and nuanced family dynamics will resonate with many readers. This is a title that will remain relevant long past its publication date. A must-have for all library collections."
-School Library Journal, starred review
★ "A lovely, moving, and realistic view of the struggles and insecurities--as well as the beauty--that comes from being bicultural."
-Booklist, starred review
Handpicked by Amazon kids' books editor, Seira Wilson, for Prime Book Box - a children's subscription that inspires a love of reading. This immersive, award-winning novel following the story of Quijana, a girl in pieces, is now available in paperback.
One-half Guatemalan, one-half American: When Quijana's Guatemalan cousins move to town, her dad seems ashamed that she doesn't know more about her family's heritage.
One-half crush, one-half buddy: When Quijana meets Zuri and Jayden, she knows she's found true friends. But she can't help the growing feelings she has for Jayden.
One-half kid, one-half grown-up: Quijana spends her nights Skyping with her ailing grandma and trying to figure out what's going on with her increasingly hard-to-reach brother.
Quijana must figure out which parts of herself are most important, and which pieces come together to make her whole.
This is a heartfelt poetic portrayal of a girl growing up, fitting in, and learning what it means to belong.
- Lyrical middle grade debut from author Rebecca Balcárcel
- A diverse and family-centered story that resonates with anyone who remembers, or is going through, growing pains
- Inclusively embraces real life experiences with biracial, autistic, and gay characters
- 2020 Pura Belpré Honor Book
- A Junior Library Guild Selection
- ALSC Notable Children's Book
- 2020 Jean Flynn Award for Best Middle Grade Book
- 2020 Spirit of Texas Reading Program Recommended Title
Perfect for:
- Tweens and teens
- Bilingual and bicultural readers
- Parents
- Educators
