Speak Up, Santiago!
(A Hillside Valley Graphic Novel)
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
Welcome to Hillside Valley! 12 year-old New York city kid Santi is heading upstate, in the debut of this irresistible contemporary graphic novel series about friends, family, community and identity—just right for fans of Mexikid and the Click series!
How can you speak up if you don't have the words?
Santi is excited to spend the summer in Hillside Valley, meeting the local kids, eating his Abuela's delicious food, exploring! There's just one problem—Santi doesn't speak Spanish that well and it feels like everyone he meets in Hillside does. There's Sol (she's a soccer player who really loves books), Willie, (the artist), Alejandro (Santi's unofficial tour guide!), and Nico (Alejandro's brother and blue belt in karate). In between all of their adventures in Hillside, Santi can't help but worry about his Spanish-what if he can't keep up?! Does that mean he's not Colombian enough? Will Santi find his confidence and his voice? Or will his worries cost him his new friendships...and the chance to play in Hillside's summer soccer tournament?!
Book 1 in the Hillside Valley Graphic Novel series introduces an unforgettable group of kids readers will love—look for more Hillside Valley graphic novels, coming soon!
“A fun graphic novel about learning to understand each other.”—Kayla Miller, creator of the Click Series
“I’ll say it in both Spanish and English! I love this book! Me encanta este libro!” —Raul the Third,illustrator of Stuntboy
“A perfect read.”—Kat Fajardo, creator of Miss Quinces
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Anta (This Is Our Land) and Mendez (Lo and Behold) charm in this graphic novel series launch that follows middle schooler Santi, who is leaving New York City for the summer to visit his grandmother in idyllic upstate Hillside Valley. What's supposed to be a fun excursion is overshadowed by his insecurities with his Spanish-speaking skills: though his grandmother is Colombian, he didn't grow up speaking Spanish. And though he's been practicing, he's nervous to put what he's learned to the test. In Hillside, he befriends local kids who invite him to join their soccer team, learns about the town's Latin American community, and finds a comfortable rhythm communicating with his abuela, but various incidents challenge his limited understanding of Spanish, causing embarrassment and anxiety to rise. Soon he's acting out of character and threatening his relationship with Abuela and his new friends. Santi's thoughts and side-by-side speech bubbles translate the liberal Spanish spoken throughout. Themes of celebrating one's culture, battling insecurity, and finding self-confidence permeate this vibrantly colorful narrative, a bright start to a promising series. Ages 8–12.
