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 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

“Twin flames” Olivia Abtahi

Tu Books (Lee & Low). 2024

Reviewed by Alma Ramos-McDermott

Category: High School

Rating 5 stars

Eighteen-year-old twins Bianca and Leila didn’t like each other very much. Though sisters, raised by Argentinian/Iranian parents, they were complete opposites. Leila didn’t care about her heritage, dressed too girly, liked to sew, cook, and garden. She had plans to marry her high school sweetheart, have his children, and never leave their little town of Ayers, Virginia. Bianca was rough and tumble goth, spoke Persian and Spanish, loved learning about their family’s heritage, and couldn’t wait to see Ayers disappear in her rear-view mirror after graduation. It had been years since they’d spoken a civil word to each other, as each were biding their time until they could finally go their separate ways.

Everything changed the day they turned eighteen years old. After strange fires and rumors of fiery demons circulated, they found out evil djinn were loose in Ayers. Their prince, Cyrus, possessed Leila because she didn’t wear an iron ring their father had gifted them for protection as she didn’t like anything Iranian. Years ago djinn had granted a favor to a family member who had used them as collateral, and had come to collect the twins as payment. They would be a bridge that would allow these demons to possess humans and conquer the world.

Faced with the possibility of losing their souls, and Ayers to djinn, the twins forgot their animosity and joined forces. With thousands of djinns at Cyrus’ command, how were a pair of Iranian/Argentinian teens equipped to fight for their lives and for everyone in their town? It would take more than they could offer if they were going to conquer the forces of evil.

I was transported once I started reading and finished in one sitting. Fantasy, adventure, jealousy, evil, greed, anger, love, hope, friendship, and sisterly love all combined as I was transported into Bianca and Leila’s desperate fight for their souls and those they loved.

Highly recommended for ages 14 and over.

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

2025 Pura Belpré Donation Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: REFORMA de Florida 2025 Pura Belpré Book Grant Committee

Submissions now open for REFORMA de Florida 2025 Pura Belpré Book Donation Grant

REFORMA de Florida announces its 2025 Book Donation Grant of Latinx children’s and YA books to a Florida library or organization serving Latinx youth. The grant consists of a donation of a collection of 150-200 children and YA books published in 2024, created by Latinx authors and illustrators portraying the Latino cultural experience in the lives of children. You do not have to be a member of REFORMA de Florida to apply.

Your application should explain how your Florida community will benefit from receiving the books, and include your name, email address, phone number, type of library, name of your library, your status as a REFORMA de Florida member (non-members are welcome to apply), and anything else you’d like the committee to know. The timeline for the 2025 Book Grant application is as follows:

  • February 10: Submission period opens in honor of Pura Belpre’s birthday.
  • March 31: Last day to submit grant applications.
  • April 7: Winners announced during National Library Week.
  • April 15-30: Winning library(s) receive donation of books in time for their April 30th celebration of El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day).

To apply by the March 31st deadline, send proposals to: redeflpurabelprebookgrant@gmail.com

About the REFORMA de Florida Pura Belpré Book Donation Grant

Applicants submit proposals to qualify to win a collection of 150-200 books published in 2024 that were among titles submitted by publishers for consideration to the 2025 Pura Belpré Award Selection Committee.

Applicants may include public libraries, school libraries, and/or other institutions providing literacy-based family programs to Latino communities in Florida.

The deadline for submitting applications is March 31, 2025.

reformadeflorida Book Reviews

“These vengeful wishes” Vanessa Valdes

These vengeful wishes

Zando Young Readers (Zando). To be published February 4, 2025.

Reviewed by Alma Ramos-McDermott

Category: High School (Young Adult)

Rating: 5 stars

Senior year was supposed to be the beginning of Ceci’s plan to get away from her mother’s constant failed marriages in pursuit of money. All she’d ever wanted was her love and attention, but her mother was more interested in money and men. After her husband was arrested, they were penniless and forced to return to the small town where her mom had grown up. There they would live in an ancient mansion that once belonged to the Sevilla family, the same family who town lore said La Segua, a wronged witch who could grant wishes, had cursed so no one ever lived long.

Due to her mom’s coldness towards her Ceci spent her life closed off to emotions. However Jaime, a cute boy she met soon after her arrival, seemed to bring out the best in her. Soon Ceci started to hear voices and began sleepwalking to the dark, haunted woods alongside the property but didn’t know what was happening. Jaime believed in her and, together, they uncovered a secret, hidden place in the woods where they met La Segua. Knowing wishes could change her life for the better Ceci began to ask La Segua for things, but darkness and destruction followed as her wishes began to come true.

It didn’t take long for the same darkness to stalk Ceci’s every move and for a voice from beyond the grave to call to her. With La Segua filling her mind with ancient memories and experiences, and events coming to their unnatural conclusions, it will take true love to save Ceci from the forces of evil conspiring against her.

I loved this book and was hooked from its first pages. I know my teen readers will be too.

Highly recommended for ages 16 and older.

Note: This review was originally posted in You Decide: Should I read it or not?

Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott.

reformadeflorida Chapter News

Delivery of Book Donation Grant titles to Lafe Allen Memorial Library

Saturday August 24, 2024

Former ReDeFL President Alicia K. Long drove down to North Miami from Tampa to personally deliver 100-200 Latinx children’s and YA titles to Edenia M. Hernandez at Lafe Allen Memorial Library in North Miami. Edenia is the 2024 winner of REFORMA de Florida’s Pura Belpré Book Donation Grant.

Alicia, along with ReDeFL’s current Vice-President/President-Elect Lucia Gonzalez, presented a delighted Edenia with the titles. More information about the presentation will be in our September newsletter. Congratulations to Edenia and the Lafe Allen Memorial Library!

reformadeflorida Book Reviews

“One last chance to live” Francisco X. Stork

Scholastic Press (Scholastic). 305 p. To be published September 3, 2024.

Reviewed by Alma Ramos-McDermott

Category: High school

Rating: 5 stars

Seventeen-year-old Nico has been in love with his neighbor Rosario since they were little. Though both loved to write and wanted to be famous, Rosario was obsessed. She needed writing to be her ticket away from their neighborhood. Since her future was all planned out Nico couldn’t understand why Rosario was later found dead from an overdose, so became preoccupied with finding out why she committed suicide.

As he struggled to figure out a strange dream he had about his own death, Nico’s pain was interrupted by the news his mother was very ill and his little brother was joining a local gang. Though he’s not interested in anything not having to do with Rosario, Nico must climb out of the hole he’s dug for himself or allow his dream to come true.

Told through Nico’s memories and the present time, his story of unrequited love, heartache, suicide, and death is complicated and messy. Stork left a few unexplained issues, which gives his teen readers opportunities to discuss solutions amongst themselves or in a book club.

Note: This review was originally posted in You decide: Should I read it or not?

Reproduced here as a courtesy of Alma Ramos-McDermott.