Una novela perspicaz, escrita en verso, sobre las alegrías y las dificultades de una niña chicana que es una guerrera tanto por su nombre como por su historia y su derecho a elegir lo que quiere celebrar de la vida.
Celina y su familia son bilingües y siguen las tradiciones mexicanas y estadounidenses. Celina se maravilla con su herencia mexicana, pero una vez que comienza la escuela, siente que el mundo quiere borrar esa parte de su identidad. Afortunadamente, tiene un ejército de familiares y tres nuevos amigos fabulosos que la ayudarán a luchar contra la ignorancia. Su abuela, que es su mayor inspiración, la anima a construir una barrera de alegría a su alrededor porque cuando estás de fiesta, cuando encuentras un motivo para cantar o bailar o pintar o jugar o reír o escribir, no te han quitado nada.
Por supuesto, no es posible mantenerse en modo celebración cuando las cosas se ponen feas. Por ejemplo, cuando deportan a tu padre y llega una pandemia, pero si hay algo de lo que Celina está segura es de que siempre estará a la altura de su apellido: Guerrera. También de que usará su voz y su talento para escribir para mostrarle a todos que el mundo es un lugar hermoso porque en él hay gente que vale la pena.
ENGLISH DESCRIPTION
An insightful novel in verse about the joys and struggles of a Chicana girl, 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.
Dr. Carmen Tafolla (carmentafolla.net) was named State Poet Laureate of Texas in 2015, and is currently the President of the Texas Institute of Letters. An award-winning poet and children’s author, storyteller, performance artist, motivational speaker, scholar, and university professor, she is the author of more than thirty books and a Professor of Transformative Children’s Literature at UT San Antonio. In 1973, she became Director of the Mexican-American Studies Center at Texas Lutheran College, formed part of the Chicano Literary Movement of the 70s and 80s, and in 1978, was head writer for Sonrisas, a bilingual children’s television series. She has received numerous distinctions, including the prestigious Americas Award in 2010; first Poet Laureate of the City of San Antonio 2012-2014; five International Latino Book Awards; two Tomas Rivera Book Awards; two ALA Notable Books; the Art of Peace Award; and the Texas 2 by 2 Award. She lives in San Antonio, Texas.
Una novela perspicaz, escrita en verso, sobre las alegrías y las dificultades de una niña chicana que es una guerrera tanto por su nombre como por su historia y su derecho a elegir lo que quiere celebrar de la vida.
Celina y su familia son bilingües y siguen las tradiciones mexicanas y estadounidenses. Celina se maravilla con su herencia mexicana, pero una vez que comienza la escuela, siente que el mundo quiere borrar esa parte de su identidad. Afortunadamente, tiene un ejército de familiares y tres nuevos amigos fabulosos que la ayudarán a luchar contra la ignorancia. Su abuela, que es su mayor inspiración, la anima a construir una barrera de alegría a su alrededor porque cuando estás de fiesta, cuando encuentras un motivo para cantar o bailar o pintar o jugar o reír o escribir, no te han quitado nada.
Por supuesto, no es posible mantenerse en modo celebración cuando las cosas se ponen feas. Por ejemplo, cuando deportan a tu padre y llega una pandemia, pero si hay algo de lo que Celina está segura es de que siempre estará a la altura de su apellido: Guerrera. También de que usará su voz y su talento para escribir para mostrarle a todos que el mundo es un lugar hermoso porque en él hay gente que vale la pena.
ENGLISH DESCRIPTION
An insightful novel in verse about the joys and struggles of a Chicana girl, 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.
Author
Dr. Carmen Tafolla (carmentafolla.net) was named State Poet Laureate of Texas in 2015, and is currently the President of the Texas Institute of Letters. An award-winning poet and children’s author, storyteller, performance artist, motivational speaker, scholar, and university professor, she is the author of more than thirty books and a Professor of Transformative Children’s Literature at UT San Antonio. In 1973, she became Director of the Mexican-American Studies Center at Texas Lutheran College, formed part of the Chicano Literary Movement of the 70s and 80s, and in 1978, was head writer for Sonrisas, a bilingual children’s television series. She has received numerous distinctions, including the prestigious Americas Award in 2010; first Poet Laureate of the City of San Antonio 2012-2014; five International Latino Book Awards; two Tomas Rivera Book Awards; two ALA Notable Books; the Art of Peace Award; and the Texas 2 by 2 Award. She lives in San Antonio, Texas.
