Book Expo America earlier this month was a fun and maddening adventure into the
world of books. It was great to meet
authors, editors, illustrators and other industry professionals. Not all booths were as diverse as they should
have been, but all were sources of information, especially on upcoming
books.
Below are 15 books that
were getting good buzz at BEA. Some you
can read now, others you’ll have to mark your calendars for their upcoming
release. Happy Summer, Happy Reading!
--Maria
15 BOOKS FOR THIS SUMMER & FALL
ANCIENT EARTH JOURNAL: THE
EARLY CRETACEOUS by Juan Carlos Alonso & Gregory S. Paul (science) – Walter Foster Jr.
--Outstanding class room
text books and great coffee art book!
--Great descriptive
narrative and detailed illustrations will entrance kids of all ages. Plus, this book is
“backed by the research of one of paleontology's most acclaimed theorists,
giving the book the most up to date scientific interpretation regarding animal
behaviors, interactions, and recreations.”
DARING TO WRITE:
CONTEMPORARY NARRATIVES BY DOMINICAN WOMEN edited by Erika M. Martinez (literature,
anthology) – University of Georgia
--Latino Literary
collection of 24 narratives by Dominican female writers on a variety of topics. –Julia Alvarez does the foreword, but the
list of contributors is impressive as well: , Leonor Suarez , Ana-Maurine
Lara , Yalitza
Ferreras , Nelly Rosario , Marívell
Contreras, Kersy
Corporan , Angie Cruz , Carolina
Gonzalez , Juleyka
Lantigua-Williams , Jina Ortiz , Sofia
Quintero , Delta
Eusebio-Pol , , Farah Hallal
Muñoz , Ángela
Hernández Núñez , Miriam Mejía , Riamny Méndez , Jeannette
Miller , Sheilly Núñez , Lissette
Rojas-Berroa , Ludin Santana , Dulce
Reyes-Bonilla , Luisa A. S.
Vicioso
FRIDA KAHLO AND THE
BRAVEST GIRL IN THE WORLD by Laurence Anholt– Barron’s
--Part of Anholt’s
Artists Books for Children series. Will
debut in September.
--SUMMARY: A delightful and charming book, and a lovely addition
to the highly-acclaimed Anholt's Artists Books for Children series.
This time a little girl named Mariana is sent to have her portrait painted by
Frida Kahlo. Mariana is scared but is soon at ease as Frida introduces her to
her pets, from a handsome parrot and funny spider monkey to a little dog, baby
deer, and beautiful eagle. Mariana also learns more about Frida’s life, as the
reader does as well. The book contains numerous illustrations by Anholt,
including several reproductions of Frida’s famous paintings. This will be a hit with children of all ages.
HECHICERA: A COLORING BOOK FOR CHINGONAS EVERYWHERE by
Rosanna Alvarez (art) – CreateSpace
--Coloring books for adults are all the rage. I own a few myself. Here is a collection of coloring pages
created as an offering toward reclaiming the collective power of women. “45
designs that include a mix of patterns and words that are bold, raw, endearing,
empowering, strong, and sometimes painful, harsh, and uncomfortable. Presented
together, they serve as an invitation toward healing and self-care. Rosanna
Alvarez’s intricate designs invite you to tap in to your creative side and
personal power as you color each page. This is her second coloring book publication,
following the debut of Dreams,
Serendipity and Wisdom: A Coloring Book Meditation suitable for
colorists of all ages.”
LABYRINTH LOST by
Zoraida Cordova (paranormal) – Sourcebooks
--Book 1 in the Brooklyn
Brujas series; debuts in September
--A magical tale with a
hero’s quest. Our heroine is a bruja who wishes her power away only to make her
family disappear instead. Now she must immerse herself in the magic she loathes
to save the family she loves.
MI COMIDA LATINA by Marcella Kriebel (cookbook) -- Burgess Lea Press
--Called
“stunning.” It’s a superb collection of culinary
traditions from Puerto Rico to Mexico to Peru to Ecuador to Colombia. There are over 100 authentic recipes from
arepas to tamales to salsas to flan to paletas. The recipes are hand-lettered
and surrounded by beautiful watercolors by the artist.
MORTIFICATIONS by Derek
Palacio (fiction) -- Tim Duggan Books
--This is Palacio’s
debut novel; coming out this October.
--Set during the Mariel
Boatlift in 1980, the Encarnacion family is torn apart as the father stays on
the island while the mother and children seek shelter in America. But these Cuban immigrants don’t stop in
Miami, instead they settle in Connecticut, a very different land than what they
left behind. A heart wrenching tale of separation, hope and the power of love.
MY (UNDERGROUND) AMERICAN
DREAM by Julissa Arce (memoir) – Center Street
--Debuts in September
--A daring tale of one
woman’s dream and her determination to not only survive being an undocumented
immigrant but the courage to strive and become a leading Wall Street executive.
Her parents left Mexico for America to give her a chance at a better life. The Texas Dream Act makes college possible
for Julissa, and an internship at Goldman Sachs leads to a position and life
many dream of having. Julissa is on top of the world, except for the fear that
it will all crash down around her because of her undocumented status.
--This is the story of
undocumented immigrants that needs to be told and retold. This is the American
Dream made possible. A courageous tale for all readers!
PEDRO: FIRST-GRADE HERO
by Fran Manushkin (children) -- Picture Window
Books
--Another
charming addition to Manushkin’s children series.
--Pedro’s
tales are full of fun and adventure. A
joy to read and follow.
REPUTATIONS by Juan
Gabriel Vasquez (fiction) – Riverhead Books
--New novel out in September
--Haunting, masterful
novel set in Colombia’s tragic past. A cartoonist becomes a living legend with
tremendous power at the tip of his pen, until a mysterious visit from a young
woman turns his world upside down.
SOFIA MARTINEZ: MY FAMILY ADVENTURE by Jacqueline Jules
(children) – Picture Window Books
--Wonderful, enchanting
series about a precocious young girl who is always up for an adventure.
SOTTO VOCE by Nilo Cruz
(play)-- Theatre Communications Group
-- Nilo Cruz is
the author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning Anna in the Tropics,
-- This is a play and a mystery. A young Jewish-Cuban
researcher coaxs an 80-year old German-born writer to remember the past,
especially the truth of what happened to her long-lost lover, Ariel Strauss,
who set sail in 1939 aboard the St. Louis
never to be seen again. “Sotto Voce is an imaginative
exploration of the power of memory, love and human connection.”
THE GERMAN GIRL by
Armando Lucas Correa (fiction) – Atria Books
--Editor in Chief of People En Español pens first novel;
debuts in November in both English & Spanish editions
--Ambitious debut tells
the story of two 12-yearl old girls. The
first, Hannah, flees war-torn Germany on the St. Louis towards what should be a Cuban haven. Seven decades later, Hannah reaches out to
her great-grand niece, Anna Rosen, on her 12th birthday to connect
their family histories.
THE LOVELY RECKLESS by Kami Garcia (Young Adult) – Imprint
--Coming out in October,
this is Kami Garcia’s new YA novel full of drama, romance and suspence. Has been called: The Fast and The Furious meets Romeo and
Juliet. How can we not read it with
those two recommendations?!
THE PRINCESS AND THE
WARRIOR by Duncan Tonatiuh (children) –Abrams
Books for Young Readers
--Duncan
is a truly gifted artist. His
illustrations are works of art. Here he brings a beloved Mexican legend to
live.
--Summary:
Princess Izta had many wealthy suitors but dismissed them all. When a mere
warrior, Popoca, promised to be true to her and stay always by her side, Izta
fell in love. The emperor promised Popoca if he could defeat their enemy Jaguar
Claw, then Popoca and Izta could wed. When Popoca was near to defeating Jaguar
Claw, his opponent sent a messenger to Izta saying Popoca was dead. Izta fell
into a deep sleep and, upon his return, even Popoca could not wake her. As
promised Popoca stayed by her side. So two volcanoes were formed: Iztaccíhuatl,
who continues to sleep, and Popocatépetl, who spews ash and smoke, trying to
wake his love.###
Always
Read Latino!