Contemporary
Ages 8-12 years
Grades 5-9
Chronicle Books
ISBN-13: 978-1452169989

Purchase at Indie Bound, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, BAM, or wherever books are sold.

In the course of this immersive and beautifully written novel, Quijana must figure out which parts of herself are most important and which pieces come together to make her whole. This lyrical debut is a heartfelt portrayal of a girl growing up, fitting in, and learning what it means to belong.

Starred review: “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: “With poetic, flowing prose that sometimes feels more like a song and characters so convincing that they seem real, Balcárcel’s stunning debut depicts the struggles of being raised with two cultures and the challenges of not being “authentic” enough—in this case, “not Guatemalan enough” or “not American enough.” A lovely, moving, and realistic view of the struggles and insecurities—as well as the beauty—that comes from being bicultural.” — Selenia Paz

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