THE LATINA BOOK CLUB

    He’d give anything to be out there playing instead of standing here watching. Trying to maintain this smile out of respect. He digs into his wrists some more with his nails. Breaks previously broken skin and pulls away. A smear of blood he wipes away with his other hand, rubs off across his dark jeans. Back home his mom is always on him to stop digging, but that only makes him want to dig more.   --Danny Powerful. Passionate. Heartbreaking. MEXICAN WHITE BOY by Matt de la Peňa   (Delacorte Press, 2008) is a story of friendship, revelations, acceptance, and finding courage and strength in the face of adversity. Danny’s mother is more worried about her new husband than her son. Danny happily goes to visit his father’s family for the summer, planning to run off to Mexico and find his dad and stay with him. But there are secrets that he is not prepared for, and that hurt more than anything. Danny is lost in a dark place, until a true friendship gi...

In honor of Father’s Day, The Latina Book Club , has put together this short list of male authors.    We selected a wide variety, from coming of age stories to political poems to dark thrillers.   G reat selections all.     Happy Reading.     LOVE by Matt de la Peňa (G.P. Putnam) Written by a Newbery Medal winning author, this novel is about the love that surrounds us. As children we can see it, feel it, even taste it.  We lose that feeling as adults, but this beautifully illustrated picture book by Loren Long, brings those loving feelings back to life. MAXIMILIAN AND THE LUCHA LIBRE CLUB: A Bilingual Lucha Libre Thriller by Xavier Garza (Cinco Puntos Press) Book 3 in the series, has Max joining the Lucha Libre Club – a club for kids related to the luchadores. His friend Paloma is in it too, but it’s Cecilia who has captured Max’s young heart, no? WHAT LANE?   by Torrey Maldonado (Nancy Paulsen...

‘Tis the season to go shopping for the Holidays, and books make the very best gifts.   This month, The Latina Book Club will feature weekly shopping guides.  Here are some fun Latino children’s books for kids of all ages, even a couple that are bilingual.  Click on the titles below to purchase your copies today. Happy Shopping. Happy Reading. And, Happy Holidays! A PINATA IN A PINE TREE: A LATINO TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS By Pat Mora Clarion Books A fun and festive Latino twist on the popular “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Think pinatas instead of partridges, dancing donkeys, singing moons and more. JUANA & LUCAS By Juana Medina Candlewick Press Juana is a spunky Colombian girl who loves many things, but not learning English. Until her grandparents invite her on a special trip where English is needed. Now, Juana finds that learning a new language can be fun too. LITTLE CHANCLAS Jose Lozano ...

    The Latina Book Club was part of the MultiCultural Children's Book Day yesterday.   It was a tremendous honor and we want to continue the celebration of children's books and diversity this week.   So today, we'd like to celebrate Latino Children Picture Books.    Below are some fun ones.---mcf LAST STOP MARKET STREET by Matt de la Peña Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don't own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them. LALO LOVES TO HELP by Cecilia Velastegui Lalo, a yellow-naped Amazonian parrot speaks many languages and loves to sing opera. He lives a happy live according to the Amazonian oath of friendshi...

    Matt will soon have what every author dreams of – a movie based on his book. His debut novel, BALL DON’T LIE, published by Delacorte in 2005, will soon be a major motion picture starring Ludacris, Nick Cannon, Emelie de Ravin, Grayson Boucher, and Rosanna Arquette (Night and Day Pictures). The book was also named an ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young Adults and an ALA-YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers. This award winning author has written five novels, including MEXICAN WHITEBOY (2008), WE WERE HERE (2009), I WILL SAVE YOU (2010) and a picture book out earlier this year, JOE LOUIS: A NATION’S HOPE (illustrated by Kadir Nelson). Plus, he has published numerous short stories in various literary journals, including Pacific Review, The Vincent Brothers Review, Chiricú, George Mason Review, and Allegheny Literary Review. When not writing, Matt teaches creative writing at New York University. Visit him at http://www.mattdelapena.com/ . BALL DON’T LIE Soon to be a...

ATTENTION:   El Barrio's Book Club meeting for February has been cancelled.  Their next meeting will be on Tuesday March 9, 2010. MARCH'S BOOK CLUB MEETING March 9, 2010 at El Museo del Barrio / El Cafe 1230 Fifth Avenue (at 104th Street) 6:30pm - 8:30pm Book of the Month:    WE WERE HERE by Matt de la Pena Book Summary:  The story of one boy and his journey to find himself.  When it happened, Miguel was sent to Juvi. The judge gave him a year in a group home - said he had to write a journal so some counselor could try to figure out how he thinks. The judge had no idea that he actually did Miguel a favor. Ever since it happened, his mom can't even look him in the face. Any home besides his would be a better place to live. But Miguel didn't bet on meeting Dondell or Mong or any of what happened after they broke out. He only thought about Mexico and and getting to the border where he could start over. Forget his mom. Forget his brother....