Published last year, Under the Mesquite was the debut novel of Latina author, Guadalupe Garcia McCall. It won this year's Pura Belpré Author Award, and was a finalist for the William C. Morris YA Debut Award. It is the deeply moving story of Lupita, the oldest of eight children, who struggles to keep her family together after her mother is diagnosed with cancer. I think many young Latinas will instantly relate to Lupitas inner struggle to follow her own dreams versus her responsibility to her family. You can read my full review and an excerpt here.
The second novel, The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind by Meg Medina, was released earlier this year. (You may remember me mentioning her Hope Tree Project to celebrate art, reading and culture.) Meg won this year's Ezra Jack Keats Award for her picture book, Tia Isa Wants a Car. And I have little doubt that her young adult novel will also be an award winner. The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind is the story of 16-year-old Sonia Ocampo whose bears the heavy responsibility of serving as her village's protector, a role given to her when she was born and "saved" the tiny village from a ferocious storm. Believed to have special powers, one whom God has blessed and to whom God listens, the people in her village come to her for prayers and solace. Believing she has no special powers, all Sonia wants is to live a life like any other girl. You can read my full review here.
THE GIVEAWAY
One MommyMaestra reader will win a copy of both hardback books.
To enter, simply leave a comment below.
The deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Wednesday, August 29th. The winner will be chosen using Random.org. and contacted via email - so be sure to leave a valid email address in your comment! (If I have no way to contact you, I'll have to choose someone else!)
And to increase your chances of winning, you can:
1) Follow the MommyMaestra on Facebook.
2) Follow me on Twitter (@LatinMami).
Don't forget to let me know by posting a separate comment for each entry!
By entering this giveaway, you agree to the Official Sweepstakes Rules. No purchase required. Void where prohibited.
¡Buena suerte!
Disclosure: I received copies of these books from the publishers for review. All opinions are mine.
The deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Wednesday, August 29th. The winner will be chosen using Random.org. and contacted via email - so be sure to leave a valid email address in your comment! (If I have no way to contact you, I'll have to choose someone else!)
And to increase your chances of winning, you can:
1) Follow the MommyMaestra on Facebook.
2) Follow me on Twitter (@LatinMami).
Don't forget to let me know by posting a separate comment for each entry!
By entering this giveaway, you agree to the Official Sweepstakes Rules. No purchase required. Void where prohibited.
¡Buena suerte!
Disclosure: I received copies of these books from the publishers for review. All opinions are mine.
This giveaway is now closed.