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Queso, Just in Time
Pura Belpré Award-winning author Ernesto Cisneros takes readers “back to the future” in this time-travel tale about family, grief, and love that stretches across the years.
Quetzalcóatl Castillo—Queso for short—has had an ache in his heart that won’t go away ever since his father’s death. More than anything, he wishes he could spend time with his dad again.
After whispering that wish one night under the light of the moon, Queso wakes up the next morning in 1985. With twelve-year-old Pancho—the kid who will grow up to be his dad.
Even though he has no idea what to do, Queso is just happy to be by his dad’s side again. But while Pancho is confident when scoring on the foosball table or standing up to bullies, he doesn’t think he’s smart enough to reach for his dreams.
If only Pancho believed in himself the way Queso does, who knows what his story could be?
Quetzalcóatl Castillo—Queso for short—has had an ache in his heart that won’t go away ever since his father’s death. More than anything, he wishes he could spend time with his dad again.
After whispering that wish one night under the light of the moon, Queso wakes up the next morning in 1985. With twelve-year-old Pancho—the kid who will grow up to be his dad.
Even though he has no idea what to do, Queso is just happy to be by his dad’s side again. But while Pancho is confident when scoring on the foosball table or standing up to bullies, he doesn’t think he’s smart enough to reach for his dreams.
If only Pancho believed in himself the way Queso does, who knows what his story could be?
272 pages, Hardcover
Published March 10, 2026
About the author
Ernesto Cisneros
8 books264 followersErnesto Cisneros is a veteran English teacher currently serving the colorful city of Santa Ana, California. He holds an English degree from the University of California, Irvine; a teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach; as well as a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from National University.
Whenever his knees will allow it, he enjoys playing basketball, running, and swimming. He likes to read contemporary books with realistic characters and meaningful storylines full of heart. He is an avid music and ketchup lover, and he still follows the Lakers—even post Kobe.
As a writer, he believes in providing today’s youth with honest depictions of characters with whom they can identify. He believes the real world is filled with amazing people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. His work strives to reflect and bring those stories to life. He latest book, EFRÉN DIVIDED is scheduled for release in 2020 by Harpercollins.
Whenever his knees will allow it, he enjoys playing basketball, running, and swimming. He likes to read contemporary books with realistic characters and meaningful storylines full of heart. He is an avid music and ketchup lover, and he still follows the Lakers—even post Kobe.
As a writer, he believes in providing today’s youth with honest depictions of characters with whom they can identify. He believes the real world is filled with amazing people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. His work strives to reflect and bring those stories to life. He latest book, EFRÉN DIVIDED is scheduled for release in 2020 by Harpercollins.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
October 7, 2025
4.5 stars
I truly love Ernesto Cisneros's work, and this most recent middle grade novel is no exception. It's a real gem.
Queso is having a rough time dealing with the tragic loss of his father. He gets an unusual opportunity when a bunny with an absolutely stellar name shows up, and Queso suddenly finds himself...in 1985!!!!!
Now many of us have probably considered what it would be like to meet early versions of our parents (thanks, Doc!), but Queso has one of the best reasons for getting to do so. When Queso comes across his much younger father in this alternate timeline, Queso's heart - and mine and yours! - explode/s. It's the most fulfilling encounter, and it's also heartbreaking.
As is always the case in his works, Cisneros does not shy away from challenging but real issues, and he has an exceptional knack for presenting these in an age appropriate manner (because we teachers MUST know our audience). So many young readers will benefit from delving into Queso's relationship with his dad and with loss. But, in true Cisneros fashion, there's a remarkably hopeful element here as well as some much needed humor. Queso learns a lot about himself, and he teaches a lot to his readers (and to the socially and technologically well intentioned but less informed folks of 1985. Memories!).
I really enjoyed this book and will continue to devour all of Cisneros's content.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Quill Tree Books for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I truly love Ernesto Cisneros's work, and this most recent middle grade novel is no exception. It's a real gem.
Queso is having a rough time dealing with the tragic loss of his father. He gets an unusual opportunity when a bunny with an absolutely stellar name shows up, and Queso suddenly finds himself...in 1985!!!!!
Now many of us have probably considered what it would be like to meet early versions of our parents (thanks, Doc!), but Queso has one of the best reasons for getting to do so. When Queso comes across his much younger father in this alternate timeline, Queso's heart - and mine and yours! - explode/s. It's the most fulfilling encounter, and it's also heartbreaking.
As is always the case in his works, Cisneros does not shy away from challenging but real issues, and he has an exceptional knack for presenting these in an age appropriate manner (because we teachers MUST know our audience). So many young readers will benefit from delving into Queso's relationship with his dad and with loss. But, in true Cisneros fashion, there's a remarkably hopeful element here as well as some much needed humor. Queso learns a lot about himself, and he teaches a lot to his readers (and to the socially and technologically well intentioned but less informed folks of 1985. Memories!).
I really enjoyed this book and will continue to devour all of Cisneros's content.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Quill Tree Books for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
May 8, 2026
Really sweet realistic fiction with a touch of magical realism. I loved the realness and sweetness of the main character, and the reality of what it would be like grappling with a family tragedy.
March 24, 2026
If you could transport back in time to meet your parent when they were your age, what would you say to them? What would 12 year old you say to 12 year old them?
Queso is a 12 year old whose acute pain at losing his father has not abated much in the 2 years since gun violence ended his father’s life. Coming home to an empty house because his mother has to work long hours is both traumatic and triggering for Queso, who can’t stop replaying the horror his father’s last moments. Everything feels unfinished, from his father’s unfulfilled career ambitions to Queso’s wish to learn his father’s secret foosball trick shots. His empty house echoes with his murdered father, his grandfather who died suddenly, his grandmother who had to move back to Mexico, an his mom who is rarely home. All Queso wants is an impossible wish: one chance to spend more time with his father.
One fervent wish and one magical rabbit later, Queso finds himself back in the same house, only the photographs on the walls are different. The house is noisy with life, only it Is younger versions of his grandparents and a boy who looks like his twin…his father, at 12 years old. Queso gets so much more than he ever wished for: home made meals from his beloved abuelita, family history stories from his abuela, and a chance to see what life was like for his dad at his age, in 1985. No internet, no phones, and LOTS more sugar!
Soon, Queso realizes he may have an opportunity to change the future for his father…help him avoid the pitfalls that led him toward his greatest regrets and missed opportunities. If you could go back in time and help fix what is broken with a parent plagued with sadness and regret, what would you do? What could you say? And could your intervention turn our worse for the person you love?
Queso speaks to all of us with a family member who we love but can’t help, whether due to mental illness, addiction, disease, or death…with one chance to go back in time and help your loved one, what could you do?
As someone whose loved 1985, I thoroughly enjoyed the period details and wishes only for more of these chapters…more school scenes, more time together with Queso’s dad, more 80s cartoons. For a book with such a sad premise, there were so may laugh out loud scenes of joyful fun between Queso and his father.
In these dark times, a bit of loving wish fulfillment is so, so welcome.
Enthusiastically and joyfully recommended for elementary and middle school libraries.
Queso is a 12 year old whose acute pain at losing his father has not abated much in the 2 years since gun violence ended his father’s life. Coming home to an empty house because his mother has to work long hours is both traumatic and triggering for Queso, who can’t stop replaying the horror his father’s last moments. Everything feels unfinished, from his father’s unfulfilled career ambitions to Queso’s wish to learn his father’s secret foosball trick shots. His empty house echoes with his murdered father, his grandfather who died suddenly, his grandmother who had to move back to Mexico, an his mom who is rarely home. All Queso wants is an impossible wish: one chance to spend more time with his father.
One fervent wish and one magical rabbit later, Queso finds himself back in the same house, only the photographs on the walls are different. The house is noisy with life, only it Is younger versions of his grandparents and a boy who looks like his twin…his father, at 12 years old. Queso gets so much more than he ever wished for: home made meals from his beloved abuelita, family history stories from his abuela, and a chance to see what life was like for his dad at his age, in 1985. No internet, no phones, and LOTS more sugar!
Soon, Queso realizes he may have an opportunity to change the future for his father…help him avoid the pitfalls that led him toward his greatest regrets and missed opportunities. If you could go back in time and help fix what is broken with a parent plagued with sadness and regret, what would you do? What could you say? And could your intervention turn our worse for the person you love?
Queso speaks to all of us with a family member who we love but can’t help, whether due to mental illness, addiction, disease, or death…with one chance to go back in time and help your loved one, what could you do?
As someone whose loved 1985, I thoroughly enjoyed the period details and wishes only for more of these chapters…more school scenes, more time together with Queso’s dad, more 80s cartoons. For a book with such a sad premise, there were so may laugh out loud scenes of joyful fun between Queso and his father.
In these dark times, a bit of loving wish fulfillment is so, so welcome.
Enthusiastically and joyfully recommended for elementary and middle school libraries.
April 5, 2026
Heartwarming
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Richie’s Picks: QUESO, JUST IN TIME by Ernesto Cisneros, HarperCollins/QuillTree, March 2026, 272p., ISBN: 978-0-06-309224-2
“Tell me, doctor
Where are we going this time?
Is this the fifties?
Or nineteen ninety-nine?
– Huey Lewis and the News, “Back in Time” (1985)
“There’s a honk outside. It’s Queso Sr., getting a bit antsy.
Pancho and I hurry outside. I take his lead and jump into the bed of Queso Sr.’s white pickup truck–a Datsun model I’ve never heard of.
Pancho gestures for me to sit back against the rear window facing the tailgate. I check for seatbelts or handgrips…anything I can hold onto on the drive. Only there’s nothing. ¡Nada! Did people really ride around in the back like this? Was safety not yet invented?
I decide to tough it out. The whole ride to school is a bit bumpy and windy–really windy. Pancho’s hair is all fluffed up. So is mine, I bet. And to make matters worse, each pothole is a sharp pain in the butt, literally.
Still though…I gotta admit, it’s kind of fun, too. Kind of like riding in a convertible.
Queso Sr. makes his way down Fifth Street. It’s a lot like the version of the neighborhood that I know, only with way more shops and restaurants and lots and lots of tagging.
Splurgeon (eventually to be rebranded as Romero-Cruz Academy) is surrounded by kids standing around in everyday street clothes–not uniforms like we have in my time. And by street clothes, I’m talking mostly baggy khakis, high-wasted jeans, and unbuttoned flannel shirts. They somehow look more grown-up, tougher, like they could mess me up if they wanted to.
I suddenly remember when Dad mentioned the school had to close down because the teachers all walked out and filed a formal complaint because of the ‘hostile work environment.’
I think back to the guys at the Salvador Rec Center. About the things that Dad told me about the way he grew up.
About the neighborhood gangs.
About the weekly shootings. Some by car. Some on foot.
About the drug dealers.
About the police!
I look over at Pancho and just about confess everything to him–including the time-travel stuff. Only I stop when he looks back at me, smiling.
Something I never got to see enough in my timeline.
Suddenly, I’m not all that concerned about any of that.”
Twelve-year-old Queso (Quetzalcóatl Castillo Anguiano) is a sweet kid who has been depressed over not having had more time with his now-dead father. Given that desire, and with the apparent assistance of a cute wild bunny who shows up in his backyard treehouse–which was built a generation ago by his father (Pancho) and grandfather (Queso Sr.)--Queso takes a nap and regains consciousness in 1985, when his father was twelve like Queso is.
Here are ten great songs from 1985 that Queso would have been hearing back there:
A-Ha -- Take on Me
Dire Straits -- Money for Nothing
John Mellencamp -- Small Town
Joni Mitchell -- Good Friends
Sting -- Set them Free
Suzanne Vega -- Undertow
Tears for Fears -- Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Whitney Houston -- Saving All My Love
Bangles -- Walk Like an Egyptian
Prince and the Revolution -- Raspberry Beret
He and his father soon cross paths and immediately connect. Despite the similarity in his and his father’s appearances, Queso successfully hides his real identity from his father, and then from his grandparents, who he gets to know again, when his then-tween father brings his new friend Queso home. Explaining to them that he is currently parentless, Queso is invited to spend time living in “his” house, in 1985, back when it was new, back when it was his father and grandparents living in it. Queso also gets enrolled at his father’s school (which, a generation later, had been Queso’s school)..
The big question is: Whether accidentally or purposely, when Queso does something in 1985 that alters events that his father has told Queso about, back in Queso’s timeline, will it actually change the family history that Queso has learned from his father while growing up? And will Queso ever successfully return to his own time?
Today’s teens will be startled and thoroughly amused by the major changes Queso observes in 1985 relating to technology, media, popular culture, and his hometown.
QUESO, JUST IN TIME is a fun and thought-provoking read. I encourage tweens to pull up YouTube, and watch the related music video, so they know how to properly Walk Like an Egyptian. Then I would urge them to head down to the library–ancient Egyptian style–and check out this thoroughly modern time-travel tale.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
“Tell me, doctor
Where are we going this time?
Is this the fifties?
Or nineteen ninety-nine?
– Huey Lewis and the News, “Back in Time” (1985)
“There’s a honk outside. It’s Queso Sr., getting a bit antsy.
Pancho and I hurry outside. I take his lead and jump into the bed of Queso Sr.’s white pickup truck–a Datsun model I’ve never heard of.
Pancho gestures for me to sit back against the rear window facing the tailgate. I check for seatbelts or handgrips…anything I can hold onto on the drive. Only there’s nothing. ¡Nada! Did people really ride around in the back like this? Was safety not yet invented?
I decide to tough it out. The whole ride to school is a bit bumpy and windy–really windy. Pancho’s hair is all fluffed up. So is mine, I bet. And to make matters worse, each pothole is a sharp pain in the butt, literally.
Still though…I gotta admit, it’s kind of fun, too. Kind of like riding in a convertible.
Queso Sr. makes his way down Fifth Street. It’s a lot like the version of the neighborhood that I know, only with way more shops and restaurants and lots and lots of tagging.
Splurgeon (eventually to be rebranded as Romero-Cruz Academy) is surrounded by kids standing around in everyday street clothes–not uniforms like we have in my time. And by street clothes, I’m talking mostly baggy khakis, high-wasted jeans, and unbuttoned flannel shirts. They somehow look more grown-up, tougher, like they could mess me up if they wanted to.
I suddenly remember when Dad mentioned the school had to close down because the teachers all walked out and filed a formal complaint because of the ‘hostile work environment.’
I think back to the guys at the Salvador Rec Center. About the things that Dad told me about the way he grew up.
About the neighborhood gangs.
About the weekly shootings. Some by car. Some on foot.
About the drug dealers.
About the police!
I look over at Pancho and just about confess everything to him–including the time-travel stuff. Only I stop when he looks back at me, smiling.
Something I never got to see enough in my timeline.
Suddenly, I’m not all that concerned about any of that.”
Twelve-year-old Queso (Quetzalcóatl Castillo Anguiano) is a sweet kid who has been depressed over not having had more time with his now-dead father. Given that desire, and with the apparent assistance of a cute wild bunny who shows up in his backyard treehouse–which was built a generation ago by his father (Pancho) and grandfather (Queso Sr.)--Queso takes a nap and regains consciousness in 1985, when his father was twelve like Queso is.
Here are ten great songs from 1985 that Queso would have been hearing back there:
A-Ha -- Take on Me
Dire Straits -- Money for Nothing
John Mellencamp -- Small Town
Joni Mitchell -- Good Friends
Sting -- Set them Free
Suzanne Vega -- Undertow
Tears for Fears -- Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Whitney Houston -- Saving All My Love
Bangles -- Walk Like an Egyptian
Prince and the Revolution -- Raspberry Beret
He and his father soon cross paths and immediately connect. Despite the similarity in his and his father’s appearances, Queso successfully hides his real identity from his father, and then from his grandparents, who he gets to know again, when his then-tween father brings his new friend Queso home. Explaining to them that he is currently parentless, Queso is invited to spend time living in “his” house, in 1985, back when it was new, back when it was his father and grandparents living in it. Queso also gets enrolled at his father’s school (which, a generation later, had been Queso’s school)..
The big question is: Whether accidentally or purposely, when Queso does something in 1985 that alters events that his father has told Queso about, back in Queso’s timeline, will it actually change the family history that Queso has learned from his father while growing up? And will Queso ever successfully return to his own time?
Today’s teens will be startled and thoroughly amused by the major changes Queso observes in 1985 relating to technology, media, popular culture, and his hometown.
QUESO, JUST IN TIME is a fun and thought-provoking read. I encourage tweens to pull up YouTube, and watch the related music video, so they know how to properly Walk Like an Egyptian. Then I would urge them to head down to the library–ancient Egyptian style–and check out this thoroughly modern time-travel tale.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
December 12, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Quetzalcóatl Castillo, known as Queso, lives with his mother in Orange County, California. He's having a hard time after his father's death, especially now that his grandmother has moved back to Mexico. He really likes his school, especially his teacher Mr. Gleason and the energetic librarian, Ms. Maldonado, and has two best friends, Martín, and Marisol, who has recently changed pronouns to they/them with the support of their grandparents. Still, even though he's been in therapy, he constantly wishes he had more time with his father before he was shot by an intruder in their back yard. One night, he can't sleep and goes out to the treehouse that his father built. He finds a rabbit, and falls asleep cuddling "Horchata". When he wakes up, things are off. The house looks newer, and when he sees some delivering a newspaper he finds out that it is March 1, 1985! He literally runs into his father, Pancho, who is also 12. Queso introduces himself as Tajín (a commercial spice blend that was not readily available in the 1980s), and Pancho takes him back so that his mother, Queso's beloved grandmother, can bandage his leg. Queso also gets to meet his namesake, his grandfather who died when he was very young. There are questions about why Queso doesn't call home, and the Castillo's end up not only letting him stay with them but also enroll him in Pancho's school as his cousin from Mexico, saying that many students lack documentation. He meets Lucy, a girl who is at the library looking for books with gay representation, only to find that those books are filed under "Abnormal Psychology", and tries to broaden understanding in his school. Mainly, he enjoys spending time with his father in a completely different time period. Eventually, he realizes that he has to return to his mother, and finds the strength to do so after talking to his grandfather.
Strengths: I'm really surprised that there aren't more middle grade novels involving meeting parents as children because it's such an interesting idea! Queso is able to see how things were different in the past, especially when it came to treatment of people who identify on LGBTQIA+ spectrum and for people of color, and there's lots of good information about books, libraries, and librarians. There's an especially delightful twist at the end, and I would bet money that Ms. Maldonado is named after author Torrey Maldonado! It's a lot of fun that Pancho lived in the same house that Queso currently lives in, and there are so many feel good moments about the interactions that Queso has with his family. His visit to the past also has some positive effects on the present, since he encouraged Pancho and provided some coping skills for studying, although he is not able to prevent his father's death. Fans of this author's Falling Short and Efrén Divided will be glad to see this new title, which has a fabulous cover.
Weaknesses: I wish we had seen a little bit more about Queso's life in the present day, perhaps with more of his grandmother. In 1985, I wish there had been a few more details about daily life, although there are a decent number. Today's children really can't grasp how different the world was then. I would have enjoyed this more if the Queso had been fighting with his father, but came to a new understanding about him while in 1985 that improved their relationship, because the dead parent trope is just never my favorite.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Page's Rewind or Welford's Time Traveling with a Hamster. There's another book (author right around Connor, published before 2005) where a book travels back in time and meets his mother that I recently weeded and can't remember. Argh!
Quetzalcóatl Castillo, known as Queso, lives with his mother in Orange County, California. He's having a hard time after his father's death, especially now that his grandmother has moved back to Mexico. He really likes his school, especially his teacher Mr. Gleason and the energetic librarian, Ms. Maldonado, and has two best friends, Martín, and Marisol, who has recently changed pronouns to they/them with the support of their grandparents. Still, even though he's been in therapy, he constantly wishes he had more time with his father before he was shot by an intruder in their back yard. One night, he can't sleep and goes out to the treehouse that his father built. He finds a rabbit, and falls asleep cuddling "Horchata". When he wakes up, things are off. The house looks newer, and when he sees some delivering a newspaper he finds out that it is March 1, 1985! He literally runs into his father, Pancho, who is also 12. Queso introduces himself as Tajín (a commercial spice blend that was not readily available in the 1980s), and Pancho takes him back so that his mother, Queso's beloved grandmother, can bandage his leg. Queso also gets to meet his namesake, his grandfather who died when he was very young. There are questions about why Queso doesn't call home, and the Castillo's end up not only letting him stay with them but also enroll him in Pancho's school as his cousin from Mexico, saying that many students lack documentation. He meets Lucy, a girl who is at the library looking for books with gay representation, only to find that those books are filed under "Abnormal Psychology", and tries to broaden understanding in his school. Mainly, he enjoys spending time with his father in a completely different time period. Eventually, he realizes that he has to return to his mother, and finds the strength to do so after talking to his grandfather.
Strengths: I'm really surprised that there aren't more middle grade novels involving meeting parents as children because it's such an interesting idea! Queso is able to see how things were different in the past, especially when it came to treatment of people who identify on LGBTQIA+ spectrum and for people of color, and there's lots of good information about books, libraries, and librarians. There's an especially delightful twist at the end, and I would bet money that Ms. Maldonado is named after author Torrey Maldonado! It's a lot of fun that Pancho lived in the same house that Queso currently lives in, and there are so many feel good moments about the interactions that Queso has with his family. His visit to the past also has some positive effects on the present, since he encouraged Pancho and provided some coping skills for studying, although he is not able to prevent his father's death. Fans of this author's Falling Short and Efrén Divided will be glad to see this new title, which has a fabulous cover.
Weaknesses: I wish we had seen a little bit more about Queso's life in the present day, perhaps with more of his grandmother. In 1985, I wish there had been a few more details about daily life, although there are a decent number. Today's children really can't grasp how different the world was then. I would have enjoyed this more if the Queso had been fighting with his father, but came to a new understanding about him while in 1985 that improved their relationship, because the dead parent trope is just never my favorite.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Page's Rewind or Welford's Time Traveling with a Hamster. There's another book (author right around Connor, published before 2005) where a book travels back in time and meets his mother that I recently weeded and can't remember. Argh!
Review of advance copy received from Author
“I don’t care where we go.
I don’t care what we do.
I just wanna spend time with him…together.
If he’s happy. Then so am I.
I just want to see him happy for a change.” (ARC 113)
Twelve-year-old Queso, named after his grandfather, is still grieving the death of his father—and feeling some guilt for playing a video game while his father was being killed by a burglar. But his memories of his father are of a sad man suffering from PTSD who never fulfilled the hopes of his childhood. It is hard for Queso to reconcile those memories with the stories of his father as a boy told to him by his Abuelita.
Wishing he could know his father a better and maybe help him, Queso time-travels to 1985 where his father Pancho and he (now known as Tajin) are both twelve. There Queso discovers a happy-go-lucky, frequently-in-trouble, smart Pancho who does have dreams and ambitions, sometimes blocked by his ADHD. Additionally in the time Queso is in the past, he gets to know his grandfather and a Young Abelito (and learns to lie easily and a lot). But he also sees libraries that are not inclusive—and suggests changes to the librarian, meets a new friend he will encounter in his present, and observes a complete disregard for nutrition. However, he is worried about the consequences of influencing too many changes to the past even while hoping to help his father realize his potential Extremely ambivalent about leaving, Queso realizes his mother may be worried and returns home to see the changes he has shaped.
A short novel which gives readers lots to think about, it reminds me of one of my favorite novels, Cynthia Voight’s BUIDLING BLOCKS about who travels back in time to spend a day with his father as a child, but for different reasons. Encompassing themes of LGBTQIA acceptance and inclusion, neuro-diversities, friendship, and loss, as well as the adventure of time travel, QUESO is a story for all readers.
I don’t care what we do.
I just wanna spend time with him…together.
If he’s happy. Then so am I.
I just want to see him happy for a change.” (ARC 113)
Twelve-year-old Queso, named after his grandfather, is still grieving the death of his father—and feeling some guilt for playing a video game while his father was being killed by a burglar. But his memories of his father are of a sad man suffering from PTSD who never fulfilled the hopes of his childhood. It is hard for Queso to reconcile those memories with the stories of his father as a boy told to him by his Abuelita.
Wishing he could know his father a better and maybe help him, Queso time-travels to 1985 where his father Pancho and he (now known as Tajin) are both twelve. There Queso discovers a happy-go-lucky, frequently-in-trouble, smart Pancho who does have dreams and ambitions, sometimes blocked by his ADHD. Additionally in the time Queso is in the past, he gets to know his grandfather and a Young Abelito (and learns to lie easily and a lot). But he also sees libraries that are not inclusive—and suggests changes to the librarian, meets a new friend he will encounter in his present, and observes a complete disregard for nutrition. However, he is worried about the consequences of influencing too many changes to the past even while hoping to help his father realize his potential Extremely ambivalent about leaving, Queso realizes his mother may be worried and returns home to see the changes he has shaped.
A short novel which gives readers lots to think about, it reminds me of one of my favorite novels, Cynthia Voight’s BUIDLING BLOCKS about who travels back in time to spend a day with his father as a child, but for different reasons. Encompassing themes of LGBTQIA acceptance and inclusion, neuro-diversities, friendship, and loss, as well as the adventure of time travel, QUESO is a story for all readers.
April 18, 2026
Thank you so much to Quill Tree Books and Netgalley for the advance review copy. As always all opinions shared below are 100% my own.
The best way I can describe this is 'Back to the Future' in its fun time-travel elements meets 'Coco' in its heartfelt family connections and dealing with grief. The combination results in a unique experience that will both delight readers as well as support them through times of loss.
Queso, a young boy, was grieving his father when he suddenly finds himself given a chance to go back to 1985 when his father, known as Pancho at the time, was still a 12 year old. Is it a terrible twist of fate or a chance to fix his father's life in the hopes that maybe (just maybe) his father might not lose his life back in the future.
The book is filled with touching (and at times, heartwrenching) moments as well as many funny incidents involving learning about life as a child in the 80s and having to deal with Pancho's shenanigans. The book sheds a light about many things we take for granted now that were completely unheard of in the 80s as well as how life has changed for both neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ children and adults. At the same time, parents will find themselves nostalgic to a time before cellphones and the internet.
The audiobook was narrated by Gary Tiedemann who did a great job capturing both the emotional and the funny side of Queso. The pacing was excellent so it will keep young listener's attention throughout.
All in all, I think this is a great book for both young readers dealing with loss but also as a bridging read to start conversations between children and parents about how different their childhood was. Such a beautiful book.
You can also find me on: Instagram (MoonlightCocoa) and Instagram (MoonlightCupOfStories)
The best way I can describe this is 'Back to the Future' in its fun time-travel elements meets 'Coco' in its heartfelt family connections and dealing with grief. The combination results in a unique experience that will both delight readers as well as support them through times of loss.
Queso, a young boy, was grieving his father when he suddenly finds himself given a chance to go back to 1985 when his father, known as Pancho at the time, was still a 12 year old. Is it a terrible twist of fate or a chance to fix his father's life in the hopes that maybe (just maybe) his father might not lose his life back in the future.
The book is filled with touching (and at times, heartwrenching) moments as well as many funny incidents involving learning about life as a child in the 80s and having to deal with Pancho's shenanigans. The book sheds a light about many things we take for granted now that were completely unheard of in the 80s as well as how life has changed for both neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ children and adults. At the same time, parents will find themselves nostalgic to a time before cellphones and the internet.
The audiobook was narrated by Gary Tiedemann who did a great job capturing both the emotional and the funny side of Queso. The pacing was excellent so it will keep young listener's attention throughout.
All in all, I think this is a great book for both young readers dealing with loss but also as a bridging read to start conversations between children and parents about how different their childhood was. Such a beautiful book.
You can also find me on: Instagram (MoonlightCocoa) and Instagram (MoonlightCupOfStories)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Imagine my delight in thinking this is simply a time travel family story (which I enjoyed), but then seeing some very pointed messages in here about the importance of diverse books in young peoples' lives and a very strong message against book bans. Loved it! Honestly I would expect nothing less from Ernesto Cisneros, who always balances heartwarming family stories with strong political messages.
But first, the time travel! Present day Queso travels back in time to the 1980s. To his surprise and delight, he befriends his own dad, who is the same age he is now. This is especially meaningful because in the present timeline, Queso's dad passed away, and Queso is still mourning him. Queso also gets to spend time with his grandparents, including his grandfather Queso Sr., who seems to know more than lets on. Of course with the time travel there are some fantastical mythology elements tied back to ancient Mexican culture, including the origins of their shared name, Quetzalcóatl.
The 1980s touches were perfection. Yes, yes, we all had way too much sugar in our drinks and cereal back then. (I related way too much, Pop Tarts were my breakfast staple in the 80s). Times were tougher, especially for minorities and LGBTQ+ kids. There are themes of racism and lack of diversity explored, especially when Queso experiences first hand that libraries didn't have much diversity back then. He worried about his dad and other kids not being able to find themselves in books, which is such an important thing for kids today, and I'm so glad diverse books like this exist!
All in all, I enjoyed this book immensely. Time travel books are always so satisfying to read. Recommended for ages 9+.
But first, the time travel! Present day Queso travels back in time to the 1980s. To his surprise and delight, he befriends his own dad, who is the same age he is now. This is especially meaningful because in the present timeline, Queso's dad passed away, and Queso is still mourning him. Queso also gets to spend time with his grandparents, including his grandfather Queso Sr., who seems to know more than lets on. Of course with the time travel there are some fantastical mythology elements tied back to ancient Mexican culture, including the origins of their shared name, Quetzalcóatl.
The 1980s touches were perfection. Yes, yes, we all had way too much sugar in our drinks and cereal back then. (I related way too much, Pop Tarts were my breakfast staple in the 80s). Times were tougher, especially for minorities and LGBTQ+ kids. There are themes of racism and lack of diversity explored, especially when Queso experiences first hand that libraries didn't have much diversity back then. He worried about his dad and other kids not being able to find themselves in books, which is such an important thing for kids today, and I'm so glad diverse books like this exist!
All in all, I enjoyed this book immensely. Time travel books are always so satisfying to read. Recommended for ages 9+.
April 3, 2026
What if you could spend just one more week with someone you love? 💔✨
I was so excited to receive Queso, Just in Time by Ernesto Cisneros (@cisne.writes) from @harperkids last month. It’s on Patti’s @mamadaughterbookclub list for her #NewberyContenderChallenge for 2026, so I quickly moved it to the top of my TBR pile.
This heartfelt middle grade novel explores the deep bond between a father and son. Queso—short for Quetzalcoatl, a family name passed down through generations—has so much to learn about himself, his father, and his family’s legacy. But right now, he’s overwhelmed with grief after his father’s death.
One night, under a full moon with a rabbit in his arms, Queso makes a wish to see his father just one more time. When he wakes up, he finds himself in 1985, when his father—Panko—is ten years old, just like him.
For one magical week, Queso gets to know his father as a kid while also spending time with his grandparents and learning more about his family’s history. Along the way, he forms an unexpected friendship with a girl named Lisa. Queso’s presence in 1985 quietly shapes the futures of both Panko and Lisa in meaningful ways.
I loved how this story blends time travel with themes of family, culture, friendship, and the lasting impact of teachers and parents. Most of all, it offers a tender and hopeful look at working through grief and understanding the people we love more deeply.
📚 If you could go back in time and spend one week with someone you’ve lost, who would it be and what would you want to ask them?
Thank you @harperkids and @cisne.writes for the gifted copy of the book Queso, Just in Time. All Opinions are my Own.
I was so excited to receive Queso, Just in Time by Ernesto Cisneros (@cisne.writes) from @harperkids last month. It’s on Patti’s @mamadaughterbookclub list for her #NewberyContenderChallenge for 2026, so I quickly moved it to the top of my TBR pile.
This heartfelt middle grade novel explores the deep bond between a father and son. Queso—short for Quetzalcoatl, a family name passed down through generations—has so much to learn about himself, his father, and his family’s legacy. But right now, he’s overwhelmed with grief after his father’s death.
One night, under a full moon with a rabbit in his arms, Queso makes a wish to see his father just one more time. When he wakes up, he finds himself in 1985, when his father—Panko—is ten years old, just like him.
For one magical week, Queso gets to know his father as a kid while also spending time with his grandparents and learning more about his family’s history. Along the way, he forms an unexpected friendship with a girl named Lisa. Queso’s presence in 1985 quietly shapes the futures of both Panko and Lisa in meaningful ways.
I loved how this story blends time travel with themes of family, culture, friendship, and the lasting impact of teachers and parents. Most of all, it offers a tender and hopeful look at working through grief and understanding the people we love more deeply.
📚 If you could go back in time and spend one week with someone you’ve lost, who would it be and what would you want to ask them?
Thank you @harperkids and @cisne.writes for the gifted copy of the book Queso, Just in Time. All Opinions are my Own.
November 3, 2025
Queso, Just in Time is now one of my favorite books! I truly enjoyed reading this book as I went on a journey with young Queso. His character went through many emotions and experiences which granted him a new perspective on life. His positive outlook on life and pride in his family, friendships, and community are inspiring. I would recommend this book to all ages, Elementary, Middle, Highschool students and even Adults would be able to appreciate the journey while making connections of their own while reading about Love, Loss, Friendship, Adventure, Family, Culture, Community, Diversity, Appreciation for Life and Time, and so much more...
My heart was full of joy and hope after I finished reading this book. I would like to Thank the Author, Ernesto Cisneros for recognizing the Library as a safe and welcoming place to visit while reminding us of the importance of diverse books to reflect our diverse readers. I agree, it is important to appreciate the many windows and mirrors books can offer to all, especially at the library! Thank you for sharing your journey and inspiring others to appreciate life in the present, future, and past.
I can't wait until this book is available in libraries so others may enjoy it as well!
My heart was full of joy and hope after I finished reading this book. I would like to Thank the Author, Ernesto Cisneros for recognizing the Library as a safe and welcoming place to visit while reminding us of the importance of diverse books to reflect our diverse readers. I agree, it is important to appreciate the many windows and mirrors books can offer to all, especially at the library! Thank you for sharing your journey and inspiring others to appreciate life in the present, future, and past.
I can't wait until this book is available in libraries so others may enjoy it as well!
October 26, 2025
12yo Queso Castillo is mourning his dad's death. More than anything, he wishes he could spend more time with him. Then, making a wish on a cool looking moon, Queso wakes up the next morning to find it's 1985 and he's at his dad's childhood home. His grandparents are young and his dad is 12. He makes up some pretty believable lies, and soon, he's enrolled at Pancho's school (as his cousin from Mexico) and he begins to see the dad he never knew.
A thoughtful story about family and grief. I really liked the premise, however, I guess in the 80's it was OK to take a random runaway into your home for a week or so? Queso's grandparents were good people. I loved that Cisneros didn't focus too much on pop culture - music, movies, clothes, but more on the changes (hopefully for the better) in teaching styles, educational expectations, and recognition of diversity. I liked that Queso tried to encourage his dad to do better, and have more faith in himself. I can certainly recommend. Contains some brief conversations in Spanish - not translated but context is provided.
A thoughtful story about family and grief. I really liked the premise, however, I guess in the 80's it was OK to take a random runaway into your home for a week or so? Queso's grandparents were good people. I loved that Cisneros didn't focus too much on pop culture - music, movies, clothes, but more on the changes (hopefully for the better) in teaching styles, educational expectations, and recognition of diversity. I liked that Queso tried to encourage his dad to do better, and have more faith in himself. I can certainly recommend. Contains some brief conversations in Spanish - not translated but context is provided.
March 19, 2026
Would you go back in time to meet your father and befriend him at the very same age (12 years old)? Queso gets the opportunity after meeting Horchata, the bunny, who he pets in the middle of the night and transports him back in time. When he wakes up and realizes he's back in the 1980s and runs into his father and gets to spend time getting to know his dad and his grandparents by weaving a few tall tales about what he's doing there. He knows a lot about the future obviously which trips him up a few times like talking about movies that haven't come out and the LGBTQ section in the libray when he meets Lucy in the school library (who ultimately has a heartwarming full-circle moment of her own) but really it's a cathartic opportunity since we know at the start of the book that Queso has lost his dad to a burglary gone wrong and the grief is overwhelming.
There's cartoons, sugary cereals, foosball, and a lot of family time in this neatly-wrapped time travel story.
There's cartoons, sugary cereals, foosball, and a lot of family time in this neatly-wrapped time travel story.
May 4, 2026
What if you could back and help your dad become who he was meant to be?
🧀
After wishing to see his late father again, Queso wakes up in 1985 alongside twelve-year-old Pancho, the boy who will one day become his dad. As Queso spends time with him, he realizes Pancho struggles with self-doubt despite his courage. Now, Queso hopes to help him believe in himself, and maybe change the future.
⏳
This one got me. The premise is so heartfelt, and the execution lives up to it. Watching Queso spend time with his dad as a kid was both emotional and comforting. It really captures that longing for just one more moment with someone you love. I loved the focus on self-belief and how small encouragements can shape a life. It’s tender, hopeful, and I’m always a sucker for a time travel story!
CW: grief, homophobia, racism, transphobia
🧀
After wishing to see his late father again, Queso wakes up in 1985 alongside twelve-year-old Pancho, the boy who will one day become his dad. As Queso spends time with him, he realizes Pancho struggles with self-doubt despite his courage. Now, Queso hopes to help him believe in himself, and maybe change the future.
⏳
This one got me. The premise is so heartfelt, and the execution lives up to it. Watching Queso spend time with his dad as a kid was both emotional and comforting. It really captures that longing for just one more moment with someone you love. I loved the focus on self-belief and how small encouragements can shape a life. It’s tender, hopeful, and I’m always a sucker for a time travel story!
CW: grief, homophobia, racism, transphobia
March 23, 2026
’m torn about QUESO, JUST IN TIME by Ernesto Cisneros. It gets all the stars for the heart and soul of this story and for taking the reader back to 1985. I don’t think children and young adults today realize just how different it was. But I wanted to feel Queso’s grief and the 1985 atmosphere, it felt instead like I was being told everything from a distance. I think it is the way the story is told by Queso, a first-person narrative, that made me feel it was a recounting rather than a living in real- time on the page story. I just never felt fully immersed and found it stalled at times.
Foosball is a way for Queso to bond with his father in the story, I’ve never played, my game in the 80’s was Pac-Man and there is a mention of it!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Foosball is a way for Queso to bond with his father in the story, I’ve never played, my game in the 80’s was Pac-Man and there is a mention of it!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
April 9, 2026
Queso misses his dad fiercely; first, Pancho was lost to PTSD, then to a violent, premature death. When Queso wishes on a moonbeam to see his dad again, he's sent back in time to grow up alongside Pancho and to see his grandparents again. Queso navigates middle school in the 1980s ... wonders what he can do to change the future and alter his present.
I'm always intrigued by a good time-travel book. This one had some good messages, but I felt like there was a lot of time spent on how reckless people were in the 1980s (no seatbelts, so much sugary cereals and drinks). I liked that the library was a place of refuge and information for Queso in both timelines, and that he appreciated the present-day timeline when the library had more diverse and affirming books than the generation before.
I'm always intrigued by a good time-travel book. This one had some good messages, but I felt like there was a lot of time spent on how reckless people were in the 1980s (no seatbelts, so much sugary cereals and drinks). I liked that the library was a place of refuge and information for Queso in both timelines, and that he appreciated the present-day timeline when the library had more diverse and affirming books than the generation before.
November 8, 2025
This book is just as great as Ernesto Cisneros' other title he has written. It is funny, and sad, and such a great representation of what a child goes through when their parent has PTSD. As someone whose dad is retired Army and who served in several wars during his service, I truly saw myself reflected in Queso. I was lucky enough for my dad to work through the worst of his PTSD, but this is an incredibly impactful read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read and review this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
In a story similar to Rewind by Lisa Graff, Queso goes back in time to meet his dad as a kid. He learns a lot and mostly gets to spend time with his dad who is not alive in his present day.
The ending is maybe a little too feel-good with a We Need Diverse Books message that I agree with but found to be presented in a way that sounded more like an adult voice, and I wonder what kids would have to say about it.
Overall I still enjoyed this very heartfelt father/son story with a dash of magic sprinkled in.
The ending is maybe a little too feel-good with a We Need Diverse Books message that I agree with but found to be presented in a way that sounded more like an adult voice, and I wonder what kids would have to say about it.
Overall I still enjoyed this very heartfelt father/son story with a dash of magic sprinkled in.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A heartfelt, charming middle grade novel about a boy grieving his dead father who travels back in time to 1985 where he gets to meet the younger version of his dad. I love a fun time travel novel and this book had so much heart! It tackled topics like grief, mental health, neurodiversity, queer identity and homophobia and more. Great on audio and perfect for fans of books like Throwback by Maurene Goo. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 25, 2026
Kudos again to Cisneros who humanizes Mexican Americans with humor and soul. Readers who enter Queso’s world will experience the universality of people who have hopes and dreams. Research has shown reading fictional stories helps readers become more empathetic individuals. This story needs to be shared with our youth to show them the power books can make in their lives.
As a teacher/librarian in 80s and 90s, I would have loved co-teaching with Mr. Cisneros because of his love for his students and our mutual love of children’s literature.
As a teacher/librarian in 80s and 90s, I would have loved co-teaching with Mr. Cisneros because of his love for his students and our mutual love of children’s literature.
April 6, 2026
(Actual rating: 4.25 stars)
Once again, I enjoyed another book by Ernesto Cisneros. Out of all of the books that I have read by Cisneros, this one, however, is likely towards the bottom. I still enjoyed it. I think, however, some of the societal issues that Cisneros wanted to discuss in this book we dealt with a little bit too heavy handedly, and in your face. That being said, Cisneros’s still did an amazing job developing these different relationships, and having the main character explore the grief of dealing with a deceased parent.
Once again, I enjoyed another book by Ernesto Cisneros. Out of all of the books that I have read by Cisneros, this one, however, is likely towards the bottom. I still enjoyed it. I think, however, some of the societal issues that Cisneros wanted to discuss in this book we dealt with a little bit too heavy handedly, and in your face. That being said, Cisneros’s still did an amazing job developing these different relationships, and having the main character explore the grief of dealing with a deceased parent.
April 30, 2026
I have mixed feelings about this novel for middle school readers. On the one hand, I loved the story line of a young man trying to deal with the feelings of loss and grief he’s dealing with and having the opportunity to go back in time and spend a week with his dad at his age. But the book was also filled with jarring moments that didn’t seamlessly fit into the story line where the author was definitely bringing up issues of LGBTQ+, censorship, book banning, etc. and it felt very “in your face” as a reader. Mixed feelings on this title.
March 15, 2026
Imagine getting to travel back in time to meet your parents when they were still kids. Cisneros created a story that allows Queso time with his father in 1985 when they are both 12 years old, a time when his father was still happy and on the verge of finding himself. This is a story written for kids who love to dream and wonder. Cisneros writes in a way that lets his young readers know they are seen.
March 30, 2026
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.
Unfortunately this book wasn't quite for me. I think it's more me than it is the book. I might revisit this book in the future as I didn't quite like the narration for this book. I feel like the setting could have been fleshed out a little more. Otherwise I thought this book had some great themes. The characters are also pretty great. I
Unfortunately this book wasn't quite for me. I think it's more me than it is the book. I might revisit this book in the future as I didn't quite like the narration for this book. I feel like the setting could have been fleshed out a little more. Otherwise I thought this book had some great themes. The characters are also pretty great. I
August 6, 2025
This was a sweet, travel-back-in-time story about a boy wishing he knew his father better. And one night on a full moon, his wish is granted. Themes of grief, identity, family, Mexican-American culture, and the courage to believe in yourself are explored here. Nice little heart-warming plot twist at the end will put a smile on your face. Loved this book so much!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I love the inclusivity in this middle grade novel!
This story made me miss my dad oh so much. If only I could go back in time and hang out with him in his younger years, even if just to get a little bit more time with him… what a magical thought.
I’d also love to see my grandparents in their younger years; so much to think about. :-)
This story made me miss my dad oh so much. If only I could go back in time and hang out with him in his younger years, even if just to get a little bit more time with him… what a magical thought.
I’d also love to see my grandparents in their younger years; so much to think about. :-)
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April 6, 2026staff rec blurb, april 26: Since Queso's dad died, he has dreamed of spending time with him again. One night, Queso wishes on the moon and wakes up in 1985, where he meets Pancho—the boy who will one day become his father! A story about grief, confidence, and diversity that is full of heart, Queso Just in Time reminds us to hug the ones we love a little tighter.
April 29, 2026
One thing I liked about this book is how the author makes the characters feel real. The main character is easy to relate to because he has problems like school, family, and figuring out who he is. The story also includes parts of Mexican-American culture, which makes it more unique and interesting to learn about.
July 18, 2025
Very funny and sweet time travel story about a boy who is transported back in time to meet his dad in middle school. The nods to 80’s culture definitely brought me back, but the contrast between then and now resonated. There’s a nice little twist at the end that really warmed my heart.
March 25, 2026
Nice little time travel book that doesn’t get caught up in the sci fi logistics of time travel. A little too didactic about some things but I didn’t mind. Nice exploration of grief and mourning. It was a warm cuddle of a book on a rainy day.
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