(2) PS Visiting from Mexico, a grandfather shares with two young siblings not only his childhood memories (shown in parallel with the children's experiences and illustrated in a different, subdued palette) but also his life philosophy: "Singing gladdens the heart." Inspired by the life of Dominguez's own grandfather and referencing the classic Mexican song "Cielito lindo," the book emphasizes the value of hope and optimism in the face of challenges.

Reviewer: Celia C. Perez | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2017

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Mike Curato. A contemporary Cuban boy and his family drive to Havana to visit a newborn cousin. Before they can set off, however, the boy must help repair the family's 1954 Chevy (one of the many pre-Revolution cars that are by necessity still widely used in Cuba), using "wire, tape, and mixed-up scraps of dented metal." Mixed-media illustrations capture the brilliant colors and scenic beauty of the island.

Reviewer: Celia C. Perez | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2017

(2) 4-6 When new regulations threaten to shut down her father's unsightly food truck, Tía Perla, Stef at first thinks it isn't the worst thing in the world. Torres captures what it's like to be a young person seeking independence and breathes life into the old food truck, which becomes another character. Young readers will feel a kinship with Stef in this engaging and relatable novel.

Reviewer: Celia C. Perez | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(2) PS A confident elephant challenges a young (mixed-race) boy to hide-and-seek. The boy, with his dog's help, searches for the elephant indoors and out. Unlike the boy, viewers will have no trouble spotting the elephant, and they'll find humor in the mismatch of elephant and hiding places. The pictures, softly impressionistic at times and in splashy hues throughout, give a sense of movement.

Reviewer: Celia C. Perez | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2016

(2) PS Along with many other animals and plants of the Ecuadorian cloud forest, Delacre introduces the olinguito, a raccoon relative discovered in 2013. Alliteration in the parallel Spanish and English texts makes for an engaging (if occasionally tongue-twisting) read: "...brilla un bosque bordado de bromelias... / ...blooms a brilliant forest embroidered with bromeliads..." Delacre's prose and mixed-media illustrations convey this dreamy, quiet world. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Celia C. Perez | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2016

(2) YA Thirteen-year-old Boli's life changes forever when drug cartels come to his small Mexican town. When his parents fail to return from a trip, Boli is certain they have been murdered. He finds hope in an unlikely hero: a washed-up luchador (wrestler). Readers will root for Boli as he tries to save his town. A searing, violence-drenched depiction of the terror of the drug war. Glos.

Reviewer: Celia C. Perez | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2016

(2) YA Engle (The Poet Slave of Cuba and companions) tells of nineteenth-century Cuba's Chinese indentured workers through Antonio Chuffat, a Chinese African Cuban boy who wants desperately to help the laborers seeking freedom from the indenture system; through his job as a messenger, he learns firsthand that words have power. Engle again weaves fiction and fact to create a lyrical tale. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Celia C. Perez | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2016

(2) PS Illustrated by Masamitsu Saito. A young boy can't contain his excitement when he looks outside and sees snow. He bundles up and heads out, leading readers along on his adventures. Kaneko's use of descriptive language gives the reader a sensory experience of the child's world. Saito's illustrations, created with oil pastels, gouache, acrylics, and colored pencils, evoke the feelings and motion of the story.

Reviewer: Celia C. Perez | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2016

(2) 4-6 In this sequel to the "Robin Hood"–revisioning Shadows of Sherwood, Robyn Loxley has become Robyn Hoodlum, a Crescent Rebellion leader known throughout Nott City as "a wanted fugitive, and the number one enemy of the state." In this suspenseful and action-packed installment, Robyn faces the dilemma of working for the greater good while also pursuing her own personal agenda.

Reviewer: Celia C. Perez | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2016

(2) 4-6 Eleven-year-old narrator Macy's father hasn't returned home since coming back from Iraq. She knows he's working on a "special project that is extremely important," but she fears he won't be back in time for her birthday. Penney's novel brings to light some of the issues families of military personnel face. Readers will enjoy Macy's independent, adventurous spirit in this story about growing up, friendship, and forgiveness.

Reviewer: Celia C. Perez | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2016

(2) K-3 Translated by Elisa Amado. Illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh. This bilingual cooking poem plays on the multiple meanings of salsa for a musical recipe (although the lack of measurements may leave some readers perplexed). As a boy and his family prepare salsa roja, his imagination runs wild, ingredients becoming instruments. Onomatopoeia and detailed ingredient descriptions play on various senses; Mesoamerican-inspired drawings in earthy tones suit the poem's combination of traditional and modern.

Reviewer: Celia C. Perez | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2015

(2) 4-6 Governor Crown kidnaps all Parliament members--including twelve-year-old Robyn Loxley's parents--and declares himself leader of Nott City. Robyn is determined to find her parents but finds herself (accompanied by a band of parentless outlaws) on a mission greater than she imagined. Magoon cleverly weaves elements of the Robin Hood tale into this futuristic story about social justice, friendship, and identity.

Reviewer: Celia C. Perez | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2015

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Angela Dominguez. Mia worries when her "far-away grandmother" arrives. Abuela doesn't speak English, and Mia's "español is not good enough to tell her the things an abuela should know." A pet-store parrot named Mango allows Mia and her abuela to truly connect. This heartwarming story about finding common ground and adapting to change is accompanied by illustrations that capture the characters' emotions and moods.

Reviewer: Celia C. Perez | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(2) K-3 Written first in Spanish then translated into English by the (non-native Spanish speaker) author, each of these animal poems is intricately connected to its corresponding gouache painting, with additional, thematic words found throughout the pictures. For example, in "Fish / El pez," a boy sleeps on a boat that floats above fish swimming in a sea of lulling words: linger, flow; luna, burbuja.

Reviewer: Celia C. Perez | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015