reformadeflorida Chapter News

No Way, Never Sisters: Conversación con Chantel Acevedo y Natalia Sylvester

Click to watch video

Join authors Chantel Acevedo and Natalia Sylvester on this 15 minute video for a special conversation about “No Way, Never Sisters,” a heartwarming novel about family, friendship, and the challenges of adapting to new beginnings.

During this event the authors share the inspiration behind the story, their creative process, and the importance of Latinx representation in young adult literature.

Organized by the Miami-Dade Public Library System in collaboration with REFORMA de Florida, the event was sponsored by Bibliotele, which also gifted copies of the book to all attendees as part of its commitment to promoting reading and Latinx voices.

reformadeflorida Uncategorized

“Hungered” Amanda Rizkalla

Henry Holt and Company (Macmillan). Published May 19, 2026.

Recommended for ages 14-16.

Reviewed by: Alma Ramos-McDermott

Category: Young Adult

Rating: 3 stars

Twelve-year-old Sophia and her four-year-old brother Rafa lived in a car with their mother. Life had been normal with their half-Mexican/half-Arabic family until their father did something bad. As a result, Mama packed up the car with them and a few of their things and left. For weeks they drove aimlessly, parked in strange places at night, cleaned up wherever they could, and went hungry for long periods of time. Mama was desperate, selling her wedding ring and doing what she could to find food and get gas money. She finally found a job, but it was hard to save for an apartment, so they continued to live in the car. Sophia and Rafa spent a lot of time at the library waiting for her to come back from work or amusing themselves in the car with silly games. Things seemed to look up when they found an apartment, went back to school, and Sophia made friends. Unfortunately, their lives were soon uprooted once again.

I understood the author was writing about the effects of homelessness and poverty on families, a young girl’s changing feelings and emotions, and how memories helped get her through a trying time. What I didn’t understand was the confusing ending, the priest’s identity, why he called their mother a different name, and why she ran from him. Since he comes up quite a bit, I don’t understand why this wasn’t explained. I had given it 4 stars because of the important subject matter but took away 1 star because of it being incomplete in these areas.

Though I wasn’t a fan of its incompleteness, the subject is important, so I will recommend it to readers ages 14-16. (Though Sophia is only 12, mature subject matter on the birds and the bees makes it more suitable for an older audience.)

I received an advanced e-reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Note: This review was originally published on You Decide: Should I read it or not?

Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott.

reformadeflorida Uncategorized

“Hear ye mortals” Yamile Saied Méndez

Levine Querido (Chronicle Books). Published May 5, 2026.

Recommended for ages 16 and older.

Reviewed by: Alma Ramos-McDermott

Category: Young Adult

Rating: 5 stars

When a teen girl is murdered in the city of Rosario, Argentina, an angel is sent to collect her soul, but her body hasn’t yet been discovered, and she doesn’t remember her name. To help her remember while they waited, the angel told her the story of a band called Río Babel which she had been on her way to hear when she was killed. Though it had been fifty years since she’d last been with them, the angel had never forgotten. A piece of her soul would forever be tied to their famous song.

In 1976, teen brothers Daniel and Adrián felt the pulse and beat of music in their souls. After a truck full of pigs crashed near their home and were slaughtered by the hungry people, Adrián wrote a song about it. With Daniel’s melody, it transfixed everyone who heard it. At the time, Argentinians were suffering under the brutal heel of an authoritarian government, so it was easy for the public to believe it was about the police and their heavy-handed treatment. The band was thrilled to hear their song on everyone’s lips, thinking it would rocket them to stardom. Instead of fame, the band found themselves in the crosshairs of those cleansing the country from people who make music that moves souls.

I was filled with sorrow as I read. Death narrated horrors in Zusak’s “The Book Thief.” So, too, does the angel describing how the brutal regime imprisoned, tortured, murdered, and disappeared tens of thousands. I wasn’t surprised to learn the U.S. knew about this brutal dictatorship, funding them with millions. It’s not a secret the U.S. was involved in destabilizing Latin American governments since the 19th century. During the Cold War, authoritarians had their financial backing to prevent communism from reaching its shores.

This would make an excellent book to include in a high school book club as well as one for Adults, as it has much to discuss. In 2021, the author won the first Young Adult Pura Belpré award ever given for her book “Furia.” I believe this book will net her another one when winners are announced in January 2027. You read it here first.

Highly recommended for ages 16 and older.

I received an advanced e-reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Note: This review was originally published on You Decide: Should I read it or not?

Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott.

reformadeflorida Chapter News

NEWS FLASH: Cinco Books Expands Services

Cinco Books, owned by ReDeFL member Jenny Lizarraga, has been hard at work on new ways to serve our library communities. A press release in English and Spanish detailing their expansion of services for libraries seeking a partner and supplier for their collection development and processing departments has just been released.

Clink links below to read the press release in either English or Spanish.

PressRelease_CincoBooks_ESP

PressRelease_CINCOBOOKS_ENG

reformadeflorida Book Reviews

“Beasts of Carnaval” Rosália Rodrigo

Mira (Harlequin Enterprises) HarperCollins. To be published July 29, 2025.

Recommended for Adults.

Reviewed by: Alma Ramos-McDermott

Category: Adult

Rating: 5 stars

Sofía missed her twin brother Sol. Born slaves, they were sold away from their loving mother when they were 5 years old to the Hacienda Esperanza in Etérea owned by rich Hisperians. Over 300 years ago Hisperians conquered Etérea and its native people, the Taike’ri. Though Hisperians raped, sold, and murdered them by the hundreds of thousands in their lust for gold and riches the Taike’ri were almost decimated, but their descendants lived on as mestizos and slaves. Sol and Sofía knew some of their ancestral history, but most had been obscured through years of Hisperian dominance.

Many years passed while they labored under their bonds. Five years earlier Sol and his master left to attend el Carnaval de Bestias on a nearby island but never returned. Sofía spent years collecting every scrap of information on the Carnaval that she could find, seeking information on her brother. Though she had been freed at age 14 it took her many more years to gather the courage to leave Adelina, her young mistress and best friend, to go find her brother.

She thought she’d succeeded in slipping away, but Adelina found out and they went together. When they arrived on the island, it was unlike anything Sofía had ever experienced. Everything was beautiful. The hotel was detailed and opulent, and every desire was met. Hotel workers wore scary-looking masks, portraying themselves as vejigantes. Guests also wore masks, spending their days partying, drinking, carousing, and dancing. Everyone slept and rose at the same time, ate sumptuously decadent food, and were entertained with nightly carnival-like shows. Everything followed the same incredible pattern every day, so the girls soon forgot why they’d come to the island. They were having too much fun.

Things went on this way for a long time, until Sofía began to remember why they were there. Though she kept forgetting, she also began having strange dreams and felt like she was being watched. Adelina was oblivious, but Sofía was determined to find out why she kept forgetting and discover what was hiding under the Carnaval’s perfect surface. What she found out would shake the foundations of her life and cause her to question everything she’d ever known to be true.

As I read, my mind kept making comparisons between the Taíno and the Taike’ri. Descendants of the Taíno of Puerto Rico, like me, grew up thinking our ancestors were destroyed by Columbus and his fellow conquistadores/torturers. We are still here! There is much to learn about the Taíno, so I enjoy books like this which shed more light on their life before Columbus “discovered” them.

Recommended for Adults.

I received a digital advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Note: This review was originally published on You Decide: Should I read it or not?

Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott.

reformadeflorida Book Reviews

“The reel wish” Yamile Saied Méndez

Tu Books (Lee & Low Books Inc.) 2025.

Reviewed by: Alma Ramos-McDermott

Category: Elementary/Middle School

Rating: 5 stars

Ever since they were little girls Florencia and her best friend Selena have been going to ballet school and performing in productions. Now that they’re eleven they are allowed to try out for the role of Clara in the studio’s production of “The Nutcracker.” One by one the dancers fail to capture their teacher’s attention, but Florencia’s audition is perfect, and she wins the role. Unable to hide her jealousy, Selena turns her back on her best friend and ices her out of her life. Other dancers accuse the teacher of political correctness as being the only reason Florencia got the role. Things get worse after Florencia has a panic attack on opening night, Selena steps into her role, and she’s thrown out of ballet school for embarrassing the teacher.

Since ballet and Selena have been part of her life for so many years, Florencia doesn’t know how to cope. Her panic attacks worsen but, with the help of her psychologist, medication, two fringe students she met at school, and Irish dancing, Florencia starts to make a new life for herself. However, Selena is not content with being queen at her ballet school as she and her new friends want to ruin Florencia’s life. Though Florencia has always been one to internalize her feelings, she will have to learn to stand up for herself.

Yamile has created a believable character in Florencia, as the pitfalls of losing one’s best friend, trying to create a new social life when one’s old life is in shambles, and bullying are often real parts of 6th grade.

Recommended for ages 10-14.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Note: This review was originally published on You Decide: Should I read it or not?

Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott.

reformadeflorida Book Reviews

“Bobbito’s book of b-ball bong bong!: A memoir of sports, style, and soul” Bobbito García

Edge of Sports (Akashic Books.) 216 p. To be published July 1, 2025.

Reviewed by: Alma Ramos-McDermott

Category: High School/Adult

Rating: 5 stars

Bobbito grew up on 97th Street in New York City and, like everyone else in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, grew up playing basketball. Pick-up games in NYC were rough, and he had to be tough if he wanted to play. He had to learn to hold his own and to have style while doing it. Bobbito learned the game by playing against and watching future and current NBA and NCAA players on the courts, received tips from local coaches and friends, and practiced hard every single day. His life revolved around basketball. Though he wasn’t as good as some of the greats that played in Harlem and nearby courts back in the day, Bobbito could hold his own and developed a few tricks that wowed the crowd.

Eventually, his knowledge and love for the game took Bobbito around the world as he became a coach, sports interviewer, writer, producer, hip hop host, and more. However, nothing could ever make him happier than the feel of a basketball in his hands and the swish of the net as his jump shot hit its mark.

In his own words Bobbito describes the good and bad of growing up in NYC, describing in detail how basketball was a unifying sport and gave purpose to his life. Despite often being called a white boy because of his light skin, Bobbito was proud of his Puerto Rican heritage and his skills on the court silenced naysayers.

Teens and adults interested in the game of basketball, its famous greats, and more, will be drawn into Bobbito’s story through his humor, first-person narrative, no-holds-barred NYC street lingo, and large, colorful photographs that accompany the text. It would make a great book club read for reluctant teen readers especially if, after every chapter, they were given the chance to practice what they learned on the courts.

Recommended for ages 16 and older.

Note: This review was originally published on You Decide: Should I read it or not?

Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott.

reformadeflorida Book Reviews

“A sky that sings” Anita Sanchez & George Steele; ill. by Emily Mendoza

Lee & Low Books. 2025.

Reviewed by: Alma Ramos-McDermott

Category: Elementary school

Rating: 5 stars

Though Mia is blind, her teacher taught her to “see” birds through listening to their songs and calls. One sunny, spring afternoon she and her aunt set off for the park where Mia identifies multiple types of birds through their songs. She calls herself a bird-listener, instead of a birdwatcher, and uses her listening skills to teach her aunt how to identify the many different birds they hear. As they walk, Mia eagerly anticipates hearing her favorite bird, and is thrilled when she finally gets to hear it. Its voice makes her feel as if she’s flying into a singing sky with it.

As Mia and her aunt lead readers along a paved path through the woods, their journey is shown through full-page, colorful illustrations. The text is filled with descriptions readers can hear and decipher such as the “klunk, thunk” of closing car doors or the sound of a crunchy pathway. Idioms like “notes come pouring out of the sky like raindrops” or “songs weave together like tangled threads” keep Mia’s story flowing. Young readers will not only learn the sounds of different birds but will enjoy interpreting the many uses of figurative language in phrases such as “a whisper of wings,” and “wind…flows over me like water, and “notes come pouring out of the sky like raindrops.” The back matter includes sources where readers could go to learn more about birds.

Highly recommended for ages 6-10.

Note: This review was originally published on You decide: Should I read it or not?

Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott

reformadeflorida Book Reviews

¡Tocamos! Cynthia Weill; Photographed by Otto Piron; Wooden sculptures by Avelino Pérez

Cinco Puntos Press (Lee & Low Books Inc.) 2025.

Reviewed by: Alma Ramos-McDermott

Category: Elementary school

Rating: 5 stars

Through photography, bilingual text, and beautifully hand carved, painted, wooden birds, readers are introduced to musical instruments from Mexico. The end notes state the instruments represent those played by musicians from orchestras that perform in the town square of Oaxaca, Mexico on festival days and Sundays.

Well-known instruments such as guitars and maracas are featured against the lesser-known harp and double-bass on multi-colored pages framed with geometric designs. The extremely detailed, brilliantly colored birds and instruments guide the simple, bilingual narrative.

Recommended for ages 3-7.

Note: This review was originally published on You Decide: Should I read it or not?

Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott.