Tag Archives: Multigeneraltional

MG – Salsa Magic

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Marrero, Letisha. Salsa Magic. Levine Querido, 2023. 978-1-646-14260-6. $18.99. 273 p. Grades 4-8.

Thirteen year old Maya has been having vivid dreams about a goddess in white calling to her from the ocean. The dreams seem so real, but she is not sure what it means nor does she have time to think about it. Between school, soccer, and helping out at her family’s cafe, there is little time left for pondering strange dreams. Maya’s focus is on her soccer season and her developing feelings for her teammate Kayla… until a mysterious guest arrives at the restaurant. It is her Titi (Aunt) Yaya! Maya has never met Yaya because of her long-standing feud with Maya’s abuela, her sister. But the most shocking part is that Titi Yaya looks exactly like the woman from her dreams! Even though Titi Yaya ends up staying in the apartment above the restaurant, her grandmother forbids Maya from talking to her. Maya feels a strong connection to Titi Yaya and breaks her abuela’s rules. Titi Yaya teaches her about ancient santeria magic. She tells Maya that she has been chosen by the Yoruban goddess of water and that she must follow this calling. Maya knows if she is to answer this calling alongside Titi Yaya, she must convince her abuela to drop the feud. 

THOUGHTS: Marrero’s coming of age story tells a heartwarming tale of a multigenerational family made richer by interwoven depictions of Caribbean, Puerto Rican, and Mexican mythology and cultural traditions. This would be a solid purchase for middle grade libraries.

Realistic Fiction

Elem. – There’s Always Room for One More

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McGrath, Robyn. There’s Always Room for One More. Illustrated by Ishaa Lobo. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2023. 978-4-665-92537-2. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades K-3.

Claire’s family is getting ready to have a new addition, but in order to have enough room at the table for Grandpa they need to get a new one. Claire is excited to have Grandpa come live with them, but her old table has so many wonderful memories of “playing cards, homework help, and Saturday morning pancakes!” While Claire’s family shops and dreams of the opportunity a bigger table will bring (“more room for baking…space for all my crafts…and perfect for Grandpa’s thousand-piece puzzles”), Claire remembers “Chocolate birthday cakes, Pa’s bad jokes, and the feel of Penny’s soft fur against her feet.” Despite her wishing, the old table does not come home. As neighbors and friends stop by with things to prepare for Grandpa’s arrival, Mama and Pa invite them each for Grandpa’s surprise, and they respond with “There’s always room for one more.” After Claire’s emotions become too much for her, Claire’s mother comforts her by getting her to see that Grandpa is going to miss his things too, but “now we get to make room for new memories.” Will Claire learn to accept this life change, and how will Grandpa make out with his?

THOUGHTS: Hand this book to a child who is struggling with a life change. The bigger change (a grandparent moving in) is downplayed by the physical change the house takes (we need a bigger table). This title may help a reader who is experiencing a change (like getting a new sibling) look at the situation with optimism instead of focusing on what they’re losing.

Picture Book

MG – The Lost Ryu

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Cohen, Emi Watanabe. The Lost Ryu. Levine Querido, 2022. 978-1-646-14132-6. 200 p. $17.99. Grades 5-8.

This book explores an alternate history full of magical realism where dragons or “ryu” are real; some big ryu even helped Japan fight in WWII, but now most big dragons have disappeared. Even though they both care for small family dragons as pets and companions, Kohei and his new friend Isolde want to try to find a “big” dragon and bring back the majestic creatures who were lost after the war. Kohei is also trying to discover more about the father who passed away when he was three and reconnect with his mother and grandfather, who both seem stuck in the past. Will Kohei and Isodle ever discover where the big ryu have gone, and will that discovery help to heal all the terrible scars the war has left on the world?

THOUGHTS: Students who like historical fiction and fantasy will like this imaginative take on friendship, family, and Japanese dragon mythology. Kohei is Japanese, Isolde is Japanese-Jewish, and the story uses their mutual love of dragons to help them deal with the complicated history of Japan, World War II, and the Holocaust. The relationships in this book also show the struggles of children who cope with the trauma suffered by their parents and contain hopeful messages about learning how to move forward after tragedies have happened within a family.

Historical Fiction          Erin Faulkner, Cumberland Valley SD