The New Friend Fix (Catalina Incognito #2)

by Jennifer Torres (Author) Gladys Jose (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

One Day at a Time meets Mindy Kim in this second book in a charming new chapter book series about Catalina Castaneda, a Mexican American girl with a magical sewing kit who tries to befriend the new girl at school.

Catalina is excited to find out a new student, Esmeralda, has joined her third-grade class at Valle Grande Elementary School. But despite Catalina's attempts to introduce herself, Esme won't talk to anyone but her own cousin, Jazmín. Could Jazmín be keeping Esme from making new friends? According to Catalina's frenemy Pablo, it's just like what happened to the secret princess in the telenovela hit The Hidden Crown! With Tía Abuela's magical sewing kit, Catalina sets out to create a disguise to unravel the mystery.

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School Library Journal

Gr 1-4-Today is Catalina's all-time favorite: it is the first day of third grade. Her backpack is stuffed and ready, and she is determined to be the first one to meet the new girl, Esme, and introduce her to everybody. But her plan goes awry when Esme's cousin Jazmín mysteriously blocks all of Catalina's, and Catalina's "frenemy" Pablo's attempts at becoming friends with Esme. Why? What has gone wrong? More importantly, how can Catalina and Pablo "fix" things so everyone will become friends? As with the previous series entry, themes of friendship and home abound, and much of the story is inspired by Torres's Mexican American heritage. Translations of the author's occasional use of Spanish words will please young readers who don't speak Spanish and who will easily intuit their meanings from the story line, since this early chapter book does not include a vocabulary page. The liberal use of full-page illustrations will also help with understanding. Readers will relate to Catalina's desire to make new friends and will be intrigued by the hints of mystery that are scattered throughout the story surrounding her efforts. VERDICT This title is perfect for beginning chapter readers and will be a nice addition to a collection of early chapter books about friendship dynamics. Recommended purchase.

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Jennifer Torres
Jennifer Torres is the author of Stef Soto, Taco Queen; The Fresh New Face of Griselda; and other books for young readers. She writes stories about home, friendship, and unexpected courage inspired by her Mexican American heritage. Jennifer started her career as a newspaper reporter, and even though she writes fiction now, she hopes her stories still have some truth in them. She lives with her family in Southern California.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781534483064
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Aladdin Paperbacks
Publication date
March 22, 2022
Series
Catalina Incognito
BISAC categories
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV013000 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | General
JUV028000 - Juvenile Fiction | Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories
JUV011030 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - Hispanic & Latino
Library of Congress categories
-

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