I adored this debut middle grade novel. Narrated by young Arturo, it tells the story of how he tried to save his family’s restaurant and his neighborhood from alluring yet ultimately devastating gentrification at the hands of a smarmy real estate developer. There’s some light romance, a touch of bittersweet sadness, a ton of hilarious lines, some well-contextualized Spanish vocabulary, and a whole lot of love. At its heart, it’s sweet, funny, and full of the community that small businesses and big families bring. It’s a great light read! Perfect summer reading for ages 10+.
–Tegan Tigani, Queen Anne Book Company, Seattle, WA
Be a summer reading success by picking up your copy at Queen Anne Book Company or another independent bookstore. There’s also an audiobook version, read by the author himself– a great idea for road trips since the whole family can enjoy it.