Warrior Girl
by Carmen Tafolla (Author)
An insightful novel in verse about the joys and struggles of a Chicana girl who is a warrior for her name, her history, and her right to choose what she celebrates in life.
Celina and her family are bilingual and follow both Mexican and American traditions. Celina revels in her Mexican heritage, but once she starts school it feels like the world wants her to erase that part of her identity. Fortunately, she's got an army of family and three fabulous new friends behind her to fight the ignorance. But it's her Gramma who's her biggest inspiration, encouraging Celina to build a shield of joy around herself. Because when you're celebrating, when you find a reason to sing or dance or paint or play or laugh or write, they haven't taken everything away from you. Of course, it's not possible to stay in celebration mode when things get dire--like when her dad's deported and a pandemic hits--but if there is anything Celina's sure of, it's that she'll always live up to her last name: Guerrera--woman warrior--and that she will use her voice and writing talents to show the world it's a more beautiful place because people like her are in it.
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Kirkus
An exuberant, rousing celebration of youth activism.
Publishers Weekly
Using rhythmic first-person verse, Tafolla (I’ll Always Come Back to You) presents messages about the importance of family and friends, social justice, and using one’s voice to incite change. Celina Teresa Guerrera Amaya, 12, is used to frequently moving house, especially because of her Mexican immigrant father’s odd jobs. When her father is deported, she and her mother move to San Antonio to live with Celi’s Gramma. Starting at yet another new school is tough, but Gramma teaches Celi about the history of her ancestors and encourages her to draw strength from their stories. The two develop a strong connection that buoys Celi during difficult times (“Talking with Gramma can be/ a splash of sunshine/ in a dark, cold cave”), and Gramma’s steadfastness, as well as new friendships at school, help Celi navigate the onset of Covid, the Black Lives Matter movement, and fraught familial dynamics. Via the protagonist’s journey to articulate her complex feelings through succinct and polished phrases, Tafolla crafts an astute and evolving heroine. The lyrical verse—structured as Celi’s own poetry, which teachers and Gramma embolden her to pursue—eventually culminates in powerful vocalizations of Celi’s values. Ages 10–up. (Sept.)
Copyright 2023 Publisher’s Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
JUV039120 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Prejudice & Racism
JUV011030 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - Hispanic & Latino
Schools
Novels in verse
Self-esteem
Mexican Americans
