(2) K-3 Illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina. Adela loves mariachi music and her family's mariachi band. Her relatives all participate, either playing an instrument or dancing -- but not Adela. Her attempts to dance and to play la trompeta and la vihuela are frustrating, and she's too impatient to spend time learning. Vega takes readers through Adela's struggle, as she eventually finds her place in the band. Medina's illustrations teem with movement and color. The vibrant double-page spreads showcasing the various instruments are full of joy. Medina also leans into Adela's frustration and disappointment, and we feel her full emotive range. This book celebrates family, music, and finding one's place in a seemingly full space. An author's note provides information about mariachi history as well as some details about mariachi players in Vega's own family. Concurrently published in Spanish as Los mariachis de Adela.

Reviewer: Yesica Hurd | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2024

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Erika Medina. After seeing a skateboard for the first time, young Patti McGee makes her own board (with wheels from her roller skates) and starts "ZIP! SWISH! ZOOM!"-ing around town. Eventually, she earns a spot on an all-boys team and wins the first national championship (in the girls' division, which the text doesn't specify). The upbeat text emphasizes McGee's devotion and dedication: "It wasn't easy. Her arms ached and her knuckles bled." The illustrations in sun-bleached colors emphasize the athleticism and artistry of the sport. An endnote brings readers up to speed on McGee's current activities; an author's note sets the story's time (early 1960s) and place (San Diego) and adds details about McGee's early career. A list of sources is appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn