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The Chismosas Only Book Club
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants meets Mexikid in this heart-warming novel with illustrations about four friends and the magical bookstore that holds them together.
Cat, Sofia, Ana, and Mari are best friends. Nothing, nada, can break their bond. When Cat’s mom scolds them for their loud cackling at the bookstore, calling them a bunch of chismosas, the name sticks. Cat creates the The Chismosas Only Book Club, giving the girls a way to stay connected as they begin high school.
But ninth grade is hard, and it seems like no amount of conchas y libros y risas at Milagro’s Books, founded generations ago by Cat’s great-great-great-grandmother, can repair the ever-growing cracks in their friendship. But maybe the spirit of Milagro herself can . . .
Brimming with whimsy and heart, and woven with black-and-white graphic novel chapters, this enchanting book celebrates the magic of friendship, the embrace of ancestors, and the power of stories to hold us together.
Also available in Spanish, from Vintage Español.
Cat, Sofia, Ana, and Mari are best friends. Nothing, nada, can break their bond. When Cat’s mom scolds them for their loud cackling at the bookstore, calling them a bunch of chismosas, the name sticks. Cat creates the The Chismosas Only Book Club, giving the girls a way to stay connected as they begin high school.
But ninth grade is hard, and it seems like no amount of conchas y libros y risas at Milagro’s Books, founded generations ago by Cat’s great-great-great-grandmother, can repair the ever-growing cracks in their friendship. But maybe the spirit of Milagro herself can . . .
Brimming with whimsy and heart, and woven with black-and-white graphic novel chapters, this enchanting book celebrates the magic of friendship, the embrace of ancestors, and the power of stories to hold us together.
Also available in Spanish, from Vintage Español.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2026
About the author
Laekan Zea Kemp
23 books613 followersLaekan Zea Kemp is a writer living in Austin, Texas. Her debut novel, Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet was a 2022 Pura Belpré Honor Recipient. She has three objectives when it comes to storytelling: to make people laugh, cry, and crave Mexican food. Her work celebrates Chicane grit, resilience, creativity, and joy while exploring themes of identity and mental health.
Find her on social media @LaekanZeaKemp
http://www.laekanzeakemp.com/
Find her on social media @LaekanZeaKemp
http://www.laekanzeakemp.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
2026
March 11, 2026Latine Heritage Month TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
June 1, 2026
In her mother’s bookstore Milagro’s, Cat creates the Chismosas Only Book Club with her three best friends Mari, Sofia, and Ana, in order to keep everyone close as they start a tumultuous first year of high school.
Interweaved with Spanish words and graphic novel chapters, this upper-middle grade celebrates the tenacity of girlhood and friendships among first crushes, first periods, and family pressures. The book alternates perspective between the four Mexican-American girls—las chismosas. Potential emotional depth may be lost due to the nature of four main characters, but each girl’s unique life portray realistic coming-of-age experiences. Mari’s chapters include graphic novel panels; illustrations are simplistic and short, but feel realistic as excerpts from a sketchbook. The novel is primarily realistic fiction but sprinkles in elements of magic with the spirit of Milagro, who picks out books meant for each girl at their moment in life. The friendship between las chismosas, and their support for one another, is magical in itself.
thanks to netgalley for the arc!
Interweaved with Spanish words and graphic novel chapters, this upper-middle grade celebrates the tenacity of girlhood and friendships among first crushes, first periods, and family pressures. The book alternates perspective between the four Mexican-American girls—las chismosas. Potential emotional depth may be lost due to the nature of four main characters, but each girl’s unique life portray realistic coming-of-age experiences. Mari’s chapters include graphic novel panels; illustrations are simplistic and short, but feel realistic as excerpts from a sketchbook. The novel is primarily realistic fiction but sprinkles in elements of magic with the spirit of Milagro, who picks out books meant for each girl at their moment in life. The friendship between las chismosas, and their support for one another, is magical in itself.
thanks to netgalley for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus
The town of Nueva Rosita, New Mexico is the charming setting of this story about a slightly magical bookstore and the four girls who have a book club there. Milagro's Books is indeed the site of a miracle. When Cat was very young and her parents inherited the store, she wandered in and the whole store fell down around her, but she was safe. A piece of paper, an insurance policy, even wafted down into the wreckage, and the store was covered. Things aren't going as smoothly as she would like, as her parents now fight all the time, but Cat and her cousin Sofia still enjoy getting books from the store. Sofia's grandmother is very strict, and forbids even the reading of Tarot cards, so frowns on Sofia's spells and herbal remedies. She would also not be happy to learn that Sofia has a crush on Jules, a girl at her new high school. Ana's parents have a restaurant near the bookstore, and Ana frequently has to help out watching her siblings, making sure her grandmother doesn't burn down the house, and pitching in to help with the family business. This is stressful and makes it hard for her to get her schoolwork done, so it's no surprise that she takes refuge in a treehouse in the family's yard. Mari loves to draw, which takes her mind off her mother's health problems, and the fact that her father lives far away. In between reading a wide array of books, which are listed at the end and include middle grade titles like Witchlings and Frizzy but are largely young adult and adult titles, the girls have lots of drama during their freshman year. Cat gets her period and tries out for drama club while dealing with the fact that her father might be having an affair, Ana meets up with Gabe in the treehouse, Sofia starts to hang out with Jules, who shares her love of nature and magic, and Mari finds out that she has a half brother, Noah, who starts to date Cat. Even though life is challenging, it is easier to navigate with good friends. And, of course, lots of literature!
Strengths: Nueva Rosita is an interesting setting, and I don't know that I've read a novel about a book club since Frederick's Mother-Daughter Book Club series. There is lots of Latine culture, with extended families, involved grandmothers, and lots of tasty treats. I had to look up a lot of Spanish words, but many of my students won't. This is a solidly upper middle grade book, and while there are plenty of serious teen problems, none of them are sensitive enough that a sixth grader couldn't read this book. The chapters alternate between the perspectives of the four girls, and Mari's chapters include cartoon panels, which graphic novel readers will enjoy.
Weaknesses: The cover makes the girls look a bit younger than I envisioned them, but as least does mention high school.
What I really think: This reminded me a little of Meriano's Love, Sugar, Magic mixed with Lopez's Lucky Luna and should be popular with fans of some of the books mentioned in the reading list!
The town of Nueva Rosita, New Mexico is the charming setting of this story about a slightly magical bookstore and the four girls who have a book club there. Milagro's Books is indeed the site of a miracle. When Cat was very young and her parents inherited the store, she wandered in and the whole store fell down around her, but she was safe. A piece of paper, an insurance policy, even wafted down into the wreckage, and the store was covered. Things aren't going as smoothly as she would like, as her parents now fight all the time, but Cat and her cousin Sofia still enjoy getting books from the store. Sofia's grandmother is very strict, and forbids even the reading of Tarot cards, so frowns on Sofia's spells and herbal remedies. She would also not be happy to learn that Sofia has a crush on Jules, a girl at her new high school. Ana's parents have a restaurant near the bookstore, and Ana frequently has to help out watching her siblings, making sure her grandmother doesn't burn down the house, and pitching in to help with the family business. This is stressful and makes it hard for her to get her schoolwork done, so it's no surprise that she takes refuge in a treehouse in the family's yard. Mari loves to draw, which takes her mind off her mother's health problems, and the fact that her father lives far away. In between reading a wide array of books, which are listed at the end and include middle grade titles like Witchlings and Frizzy but are largely young adult and adult titles, the girls have lots of drama during their freshman year. Cat gets her period and tries out for drama club while dealing with the fact that her father might be having an affair, Ana meets up with Gabe in the treehouse, Sofia starts to hang out with Jules, who shares her love of nature and magic, and Mari finds out that she has a half brother, Noah, who starts to date Cat. Even though life is challenging, it is easier to navigate with good friends. And, of course, lots of literature!
Strengths: Nueva Rosita is an interesting setting, and I don't know that I've read a novel about a book club since Frederick's Mother-Daughter Book Club series. There is lots of Latine culture, with extended families, involved grandmothers, and lots of tasty treats. I had to look up a lot of Spanish words, but many of my students won't. This is a solidly upper middle grade book, and while there are plenty of serious teen problems, none of them are sensitive enough that a sixth grader couldn't read this book. The chapters alternate between the perspectives of the four girls, and Mari's chapters include cartoon panels, which graphic novel readers will enjoy.
Weaknesses: The cover makes the girls look a bit younger than I envisioned them, but as least does mention high school.
What I really think: This reminded me a little of Meriano's Love, Sugar, Magic mixed with Lopez's Lucky Luna and should be popular with fans of some of the books mentioned in the reading list!
May 25, 2026
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.At first when I received this from the publisher I was not going to read it because it was a middle grade book and I was still a high school librarian. But then, I’d been interviewing for some middle school library jobs, so I kept it just in case I happened to get a job, and I did, so I decided to go ahead and read it. And I’m really glad I did! This book could also be for a high school, as the four main characters are all just starting 9th grade, so in reality it would have worked either way.
It was in 3rd person, which is always a little harder for me to read, and I’m wondering if more middle grade books will be that way? For me with the 4 different main characters each getting their own POV chapters, there were a couple girls that maybe I had to check and remember who I was reading at first. However they did each have their own storylines that were different. One character, I think it was Noah? appeared in two different stories, so I think that one confused me a little.
Each girl’s story was really good though. It was sad to see how much stress they were in for their own reasons. All of them had some kind of family drama, something kids that age definitely deal with. So it was very real. It was so emotional, and there were so many things for the girls to realize as they were getting older and dealing with how things change when you move to that next level of school. I loved how the author used real books to connect the girls in the club, as well as how each girl seemed to find something in each story that really applied to her own life and problems. The way I feel books do in real life. So many of the books are ones I know of and had in my own school library, and a few were new to me that I will have to check out.
A wonderful story for 8th/9th grade girls, or even middle grades like 6th-7th would be good to read this as well. I’m so glad that I took the time to read this one!This review was originally posted on Lisa Loves Literature
It was in 3rd person, which is always a little harder for me to read, and I’m wondering if more middle grade books will be that way? For me with the 4 different main characters each getting their own POV chapters, there were a couple girls that maybe I had to check and remember who I was reading at first. However they did each have their own storylines that were different. One character, I think it was Noah? appeared in two different stories, so I think that one confused me a little.
Each girl’s story was really good though. It was sad to see how much stress they were in for their own reasons. All of them had some kind of family drama, something kids that age definitely deal with. So it was very real. It was so emotional, and there were so many things for the girls to realize as they were getting older and dealing with how things change when you move to that next level of school. I loved how the author used real books to connect the girls in the club, as well as how each girl seemed to find something in each story that really applied to her own life and problems. The way I feel books do in real life. So many of the books are ones I know of and had in my own school library, and a few were new to me that I will have to check out.
A wonderful story for 8th/9th grade girls, or even middle grades like 6th-7th would be good to read this as well. I’m so glad that I took the time to read this one!This review was originally posted on Lisa Loves Literature
May 28, 2026
I 100% disagree that this book is a middle grade novel. It is not. It is a Young Adult novel that has a middle grade cover. It is exceptionally well written and each of the girls' stories are gut-wrenching and heart-warming but they are NOT middle grade stories. The girls are Freshmen and their stories are coming-of-age, high school experience stories, not 5th grader ones.
***SPOILERS***
The story is told through 4 POVs: Sofia, Ana, Cat & Mari. The girls are all part of the Chismosas Only Book Club, a group they created in middle school. Each girl is facing significant issues in their lives and each one deals with those issues in their own way.
Sofia - does readings on TikTok with a fake crystal ball and cards, starts each chapter with a special spell for whatever it is she is wanting, has first real crush on an upper classman girl (Jules), is bullied by Jules’s friends, her abuela is a bigot and a homophobe who disowns her
Ana - stressed out overachiever who is constantly expected to take on more and more responsibilities at home and at her parent’s restaurant, has feelings for Gabe but her mother disapproves, is self-harming and cutting herself, has suicidal thoughts, suffers a panic attack at school and mother tells her to suck it up and do better
Cat - super bad periods that come with issues with hormone regulation (mood swings), she can be SUPER mean and judgmental, wants to be an actress, catches her father cheating multiple times, parents announce they’re getting divorced near the end of the book
Mari - chapters contain GN panels, she wants to be an artist, her mother has kidney disease and is getting worse but she hasn’t told the other chismosas about it, finds out she has a brother that she didn’t know about (Noah), brother has type 1 diabetes
*****
Again, the book is beautifully written and gives a realistic view of the struggles that many teenagers deal with in today's society. I will be purchasing it for my HIGH SCHOOL library.
*Thank you #NetGalley for the ebook ARC
***SPOILERS***
The story is told through 4 POVs: Sofia, Ana, Cat & Mari. The girls are all part of the Chismosas Only Book Club, a group they created in middle school. Each girl is facing significant issues in their lives and each one deals with those issues in their own way.
Sofia - does readings on TikTok with a fake crystal ball and cards, starts each chapter with a special spell for whatever it is she is wanting, has first real crush on an upper classman girl (Jules), is bullied by Jules’s friends, her abuela is a bigot and a homophobe who disowns her
Ana - stressed out overachiever who is constantly expected to take on more and more responsibilities at home and at her parent’s restaurant, has feelings for Gabe but her mother disapproves, is self-harming and cutting herself, has suicidal thoughts, suffers a panic attack at school and mother tells her to suck it up and do better
Cat - super bad periods that come with issues with hormone regulation (mood swings), she can be SUPER mean and judgmental, wants to be an actress, catches her father cheating multiple times, parents announce they’re getting divorced near the end of the book
Mari - chapters contain GN panels, she wants to be an artist, her mother has kidney disease and is getting worse but she hasn’t told the other chismosas about it, finds out she has a brother that she didn’t know about (Noah), brother has type 1 diabetes
*****
Again, the book is beautifully written and gives a realistic view of the struggles that many teenagers deal with in today's society. I will be purchasing it for my HIGH SCHOOL library.
*Thank you #NetGalley for the ebook ARC
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2026
The transition to middle school can mean big changes, which is why four best friends decided to create the Chismosas Only Book Club to help keep their relationship strong. Each member of the club has a unique personality and set of circumstances, yet somehow, the bookshop works its magic and delivers exactly the right book to the girls when needed. Though change is inevitable and can be uncomfortable at times, the girls learn that maintaining strong friendships while being open to new ones helps to make everything feel a little more manageable. This coming of age, middle grade novel feels similar to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in that one book happens to inexplicably fit all four girls' separate circumstances at the same time. Recounted from each character's perspective, the novel invites readers into the most intimate moments of the girls' lives alongside them. While the books the girls read are referenced by title and occasional quotes, however, the story is more about the relationships among the girls and how the protagonists navigate the challenges in their own lives. Incorporating Spanish language and a variety of circumstances and backgrounds into the narrative, the novel touches on anxiety, LGBTQ romance, parental infidelity, and more. Additionally, the inclusion of spells, occasional graphic novel snippets, and text messages help to diversify the text even further. While more could be done with the book club element of this novel, it is an enjoyable read, nonetheless. This is a good contemporary fiction selection for middle grade readers that includes just a splash of magic.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Chismosas Only Book Club does a great job representing the real-life problems that girls go through in their families, friendships, and school. Kemp portrays four best friends as they spend the summer getting ready for high school. The girls form the Chismosas Only Book Club so that they will stay connected as they start different classes and activities in the fall. Cat’s parents are going through a divorce, and she doesn’t know how to handle it or help her little sister. Ana’s mother expects her to help her grandmother with dementia, babysit her much younger sisters, and help in the family restaurant, all while making perfect grades. Sophia’s abuela living with her makes her feel judged for existing. Mari’s scared because her mother has kidney disease. Milagro’s bookstore is where the book club meets and the magic happens. If the four friends remember to communicate with each other, they all will have a great year, but there are some speed bumps along the way that remind the reader that teamwork makes the dream work.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
TCOBC was brilliant! So thankful for this awesome book and can’t wait to read it with my book club!
The characters and friendships developed so naturally with the multi-POV of all four main characters ❤️ I loved all the book references throughout and the book list in the back. The way the characters were able to relate to and understand their worlds better because of their friendships and the books they read is so beautiful. I hope it is what is true for all of us; we are more empathetic and better versions of ourselves because our relationships and the art we consume changes us.
I also love how much each character gets to live out their own journey. As stated in the book “reading someone else’s story was just as important as writing your own.”
The characters and friendships developed so naturally with the multi-POV of all four main characters ❤️ I loved all the book references throughout and the book list in the back. The way the characters were able to relate to and understand their worlds better because of their friendships and the books they read is so beautiful. I hope it is what is true for all of us; we are more empathetic and better versions of ourselves because our relationships and the art we consume changes us.
I also love how much each character gets to live out their own journey. As stated in the book “reading someone else’s story was just as important as writing your own.”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“She wanted to be so far away from her mother that not even her disappointment could reach her.”
Thank you to Putnam for the eARC of The Chismosas Only Book Club. This was such a fun coming of age story! Focusing on a friend group consisting of Mari, Cat, Sofia and Ana - all four girls face struggles of their own as they’re getting ready for high-school. I loved how certain cultural struggles/pressures among younger Latinx members were presented. As a Latina woman myself, I could relate to a lot of the tensions happening in their home, school, and personal lives between all 4 characters. And can I just say that I LOVED the graphic novel illustrations within the chapters! Plus we see in real life books mentioned throughout this story. I’m going to definitely check them out.
Thank you to Putnam for the eARC of The Chismosas Only Book Club. This was such a fun coming of age story! Focusing on a friend group consisting of Mari, Cat, Sofia and Ana - all four girls face struggles of their own as they’re getting ready for high-school. I loved how certain cultural struggles/pressures among younger Latinx members were presented. As a Latina woman myself, I could relate to a lot of the tensions happening in their home, school, and personal lives between all 4 characters. And can I just say that I LOVED the graphic novel illustrations within the chapters! Plus we see in real life books mentioned throughout this story. I’m going to definitely check them out.
May 23, 2026
“Everyone else besides you guys is straight basura.” Teen girl friendship stories have always been a favorite of mine. Movies like Now and Then, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and Mean Girls have shaped who I am and the kind of girl mom I hope to be. I fell in love with this foursome the moment I opened the book. The big changes, mixed with a touch of magic, kept these girls together. As they read and bond over books, they face the obstacles. I feel guilty for my TBR pile, which has grown ridiculously thanks to the diverse novels mentioned throughout the story. I can’t wait to read this with my own daughters one day. The Latina representation and illustrations were amazing. I would recommend this to anyone.
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam’s Sons for the ARC.
4.5 stars rounded up
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam’s Sons for the ARC.
4.5 stars rounded up
May 28, 2026
What a great middle grade book! I had a chance to get an e-galley of this when I attended School Library Journal's Middle Grade Magic and the title sounded so good. I really enjoyed reading this and the roller coaster of emotions from the Chismosas. There are four girls in this friend group and each of them were all going through different struggles. And even though they had differences, they supported each other when it counted. I loved the comic panels inside! They were super cute! The multiple points of view of each girl added depth to the story. And I loved that this had a little bit of everything from a dash of magic, books, friend/family drama, crushes and the power of friendship!
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for providing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for providing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A delightful middle grade novel with a fresh yet classic feel. I just love the concept so much: four friends just starting high school form a book club in a magical bookstore that chooses the exact book each girl needs to read at that specific moment in their lives. The story is charming and thoughtful, and the perspective of each character feels distinct and lived-in. Also, it's so fun that the book club reads lots of current books written by diverse authors. It was exciting when the club would read something that I've read recently! And for the book club books I haven't read yet, I immediately added them to my TBR!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 girls who have been together pretty much forever, now starting high school, each with big issues to handle. First periods, parents breaking up, infidelities, anxiety, overwork, lack of acceptance, so many hurdles, first kisses, first crushes, competing priorities, and rock-solid friends to help get through it all. The bonds get stretched and frayed, but with the added help of a magical bookstore, everything surely will come out okay in the end. Reminded me in some ways of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I LOVED THIS SO MUCH. The Chismosas Only Book Club is a perfect upper MG novel about four friends entering high school together. Cat, Ana, Sofia, and Mari are realistic, well-developed characters with distinct personalities and I loved each one of them. This book touches on several topics like family issues, bullying, friendship, sexuality, crushes, anxiety, and health challenges. I loved the Mexican American representation and the girls' spiritual connection to Milagro. I will definitely be purchasing a copy in May.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The title of this book is the reason I picked this book up (I am a chismosa in my own life) and I DEVOURED this book....in fact I didn't want it to end so I dragged my feet while reading it.
The illustrations added to the story perfectly and the friendship between Cat, Sofia, Ana & Mari was so touching....it's hard to start high school, especially when you have lots of individual problems you are dealing with as well. Kemp is an amazing writer and I can't wait to pick up more books by this talented writer.
Thanks to Putnam for the ARC!
The illustrations added to the story perfectly and the friendship between Cat, Sofia, Ana & Mari was so touching....it's hard to start high school, especially when you have lots of individual problems you are dealing with as well. Kemp is an amazing writer and I can't wait to pick up more books by this talented writer.
Thanks to Putnam for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
As someone who primarily reads adult thrillers, this isn’t a genre or age category I would normally read, but I can appreciate what this book is trying to do for its intended audience. The story has strong themes of friendship, family, and identity, and I think younger readers who enjoy contemporary middle grade stories with a touch of magic will connect with it. The drawings and humor added charm, and I could see this being especially enjoyable for readers going through middle school or early high school experiences.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader PDF of this book! This story had me hooked from the premise, a magical bookstore that provides every person with the exact right book they need at the exact right time. The heart of the book is the friendship between the four friends. Cat, Ana, Sofia, and Mari are four incredible, strong, and unique characters, and I fell in love with all of them. It was an honor to accompany them as they embark on the adventure that is starting high school.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thank you to Edelweiss for the ARC. This was a supper light read with heart and a bit of magic. The friends deal with the first year of high-school and all that brings with it in a real and heartfelt way. The one thing I wanted was a bit more resolution between the girls and the perspective adult they were having issues with. But like life, not everything gets wrapped up neatly in a bow. A good read for younger readers that are already ready teen books.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love every single one of these characters — the bold, brave, frightened, practical, magical tweens who embark on their first year of high school, each with their own very personal, very high-stakes, challenges. The whole story is steeped in Mexican-American culture, and leavened with magical realism at just the correcte dose.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Courtesy of NetGalley, I’m writing this review based on an advance reader copy. This story follows 4 friends starting high school and their circle composes a book club. This book club is the glue to their friendship and they each go through growing pains entering high school. It was a smooth read and I would recommend for 8th grade and up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
How I wish had something like this growing up. I yearned for stories where I could see myself. I loved that I got to view the lives of each of the girls through their own perspective. Just like the books they read, I found myself relating to each of their stories in small and big ways. It felt like I was giving my inner adolescent some love and healing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this book. It was a tad difficult to get into it at first as I didn't understand all of the language and references, but that was quickly moved to the side as I got caught up in the girls' lives. Very sweet, very honest. Definitely a good read.
I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my honest review.
I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Chismosas Only Book Club by Laekan Zea Kemp completely stole my heart. This one is full of friendship, culture, and just a touch of magic. Watching these girls navigate growing pains while trying to hold onto their bond felt so nostalgic and tender. Plus books about book clubs? Always a win. The magical realism elements and generational ties added such a beautiful depth.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"A humble monument to the kind of magic only books can summon."
This is the blurb of the girls' bookshop where they all come together. But it also perfectly describes this book.
My students are going to adore this book.
I adore these characters. Each chapter is told from a different character's pov (one is entirely in graphic novel).
And I think this would make the perfect book club read!
This is the blurb of the girls' bookshop where they all come together. But it also perfectly describes this book.
My students are going to adore this book.
I adore these characters. Each chapter is told from a different character's pov (one is entirely in graphic novel).
And I think this would make the perfect book club read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The premise for this story was good. I really enjoyed the different elements (text boxes, cartoon panels, typical paragraphs). I think upper middle grade students might enjoy this. Many relevant topics were discussed.
May 20, 2026
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5⭐️ - I loved the idea behind this book, but it just didn’t come together the way I hoped it would. A lot felt unfinished - will there be a sequel?
3.5⭐️ - I loved the idea behind this book, but it just didn’t come together the way I hoped it would. A lot felt unfinished - will there be a sequel?
March 28, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Representation is everything. I wish relatable stories like these existed when I was a young teen. It allows you to understand that you are not alone and that healing can look like many things. Whether is speaking to your ancestors or throwing a milkshake at your parent’s car.
I love all of the Latin culture bits throughout the story. The mini comic strips sprinkled in was a great idea for those who appreciate visuals. The essence and power of the Lotería cards was genius.
🪜 🧜♀️⚱️🥁🍾🍉☔️⭐️🌙🌞🌹🌴🦜
✨multiple POV
✨4 best friends
✨sisterhood of traveling pants-esque
✨spiritual connections
✨lotería cards
✨found family
✨also available in Spanish
Out May 26, 2026.
Thank you, @netgalley for the opportunity to read this in advance.
Representation is everything. I wish relatable stories like these existed when I was a young teen. It allows you to understand that you are not alone and that healing can look like many things. Whether is speaking to your ancestors or throwing a milkshake at your parent’s car.
I love all of the Latin culture bits throughout the story. The mini comic strips sprinkled in was a great idea for those who appreciate visuals. The essence and power of the Lotería cards was genius.
🪜 🧜♀️⚱️🥁🍾🍉☔️⭐️🌙🌞🌹🌴🦜
✨multiple POV
✨4 best friends
✨sisterhood of traveling pants-esque
✨spiritual connections
✨lotería cards
✨found family
✨also available in Spanish
Out May 26, 2026.
Thank you, @netgalley for the opportunity to read this in advance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bring back YA like this! Marked as middle grade, it’s more like old school YA vibes.
Review of advance copy
read this for my library and it was pretty good for a middle grade book!
Read
May 26, 2026Yessssssss! Give me all the upper MG / lower YA please! Loved this cast of book-loving characters and I can't wait to see where the series goes.
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