Stella Díaz to the Rescue

Stella Díaz #4

by Angela Dominguez

In Stella Díaz to the Rescue, the latest in this beloved series from award-winning author Angela Dominguez, Stella learns that sometimes the best way to help others is just to be there for them when times get tough.

It’s a new calendar year, and Stella is determined to make it her best one yet.

Not only are Stella and her family finally becoming U.S. citizens, but the Sea Musketeers are also presenting their plastics pledge to the school council. With her trusty schedule in hand, Stella is ready for anything!

But after life takes unexpected turns, Stella will have to fight to keep her perfect year on track.

Not to worry, because Stella Diaz is to the rescue! Right?

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Chapter Books, Latinx

192 pages, Hardcover

Published March 29, 2022

About the author

Angela Dominguez was born in Mexico City and grew up in the great state of Texas. She now resides on the east coast with her boyfriend, Kyle, and their petite dog, Petunia.

She is also the author and illustrator of several books for children and a two-time recipient of Pura Belpré Illustration Honor. Her debut middle grade novel, Stella Díaz Has Something To Say, was a New York Public Library and a Chicago Public Library pick for Best Books for Kids, Sid Fleischman Award winner, and an ALA Notable. She recently illustrated Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s newest picture book, Just Help! How to Build a Better World. When Angela is not in her studio or visiting schools, she teaches at the Academy of Art University, which honored her with their Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013.

Angela is a proud member of SCBWI, PEN America, and represented by Wernick and Pratt Literary Agency. As a child, she loved reading books and making a mess creating pictures. She’s delighted to still be doing both.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series for kiddos!

[Minda Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stella Díaz is a relatable bilingual 4th grader learning important lessons about life (and making some blunders along the way). Her voice is authentic and I can see how kids would learn alongside her.

Some important lessons she learns in this book:
- How to be a supportive friend
- How to talk to people about disabilities
- Do lucky charms really work?
- What does it mean to be a good citizen?

I also loved that in this story, Stella's family became citizens of the US. She wrestles with whether this means she is less Mexican, and comes to some wonderful conclusions. It also describes, very accurately in my family's experience, what the interview process and naturalization ceremony are like.

These books have lots of heart. Stella has wonderful family relationships and intergenerational friendships, as well as with kids her own age. She continues to come out of her shell a bit more in each book. I truly love this series and can't wait to read more.

[Cathy | A Case Full of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, Stella. She's such a determined, passionate little girl. She reminds me of my own daughter and I love her.

In Stella Díaz to the Rescue, Stella and her friends are preparing to present to the city council, hoping that they'll be able to implement some plastic-reducing policies throughout the schools. And Stella's own family are preparing to become US citizens! On top of that, Stella is learning how to navigate a new friendship with kindness, compassion, and consideration.

Stella's experiences can help kids learn how to react to and deal with every day occurrences in good ways. My seven-year-old daughter and I both love reading about Stella and being inspired by her to live better lives. 💙

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a digital review copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 4th book in this series has me as excited as the first one did in 2018! This is a new year and it may be her best yet! Stella's mother is finishing her path to becoming a citizen. This will set her and her brother up, as well, but will there be bumps along the way once Stella understands the full meaning of changing her citizenship? Stella and her friends are worried about the ocean and pollution and have a plan for getting all schools involved in making a positive change. To this end they plan a presentation for the school council. With Spanish phrases throughout this early chapter book reader, Stella's determination, spunk, and zest for organization rings true!

I have and will continue to add this series to my collection!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another school year has begun and Stella continues to do her best to support friends and family. She learns some valuable lessons on "fixing" others when her brother breaks his ankle and is grumpy with her, and a friend reacts poorly to her wanting to fix his dad in his wheelchair. I appreciate how Dominguez shows Stella's growth as the series progresses. The family become American citizens in this volume and readers see the range of emotions this triggers.
Looking forward to more adventures.

[Lydia Haydeé · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stella Díaz and light and sweet. The kind of story I’d recommend to students looking to see themselves in a story. I deeply appreciated the fluid mix of English and Spanish, the relatable story lines and the age appropriate management of heavy issues such as immigration and family dynamics. I strongly believe these are kinds of stories that inspire change and give children a reference point to humanize immigrants. Would love to see it in middle school libraries.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

2/4/2023 ~ Lots of themes to discuss in a read-aloud setting.
* Just because your grandparents speak a language, doesn't mean you are able to.
* Immigration & naturalization; citizenship ceremonies
* Developing an understanding about someone in a wheelchair (that the chair does not define them).
* Recognizing the differences between luck and work

I'll continue to order this series for my elementary library.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. We really like this series even though they're all somewhat similar. In this book she is in 4th grade and her and her family finally become US citizens. She learns about a friend with a disabled dad and she's got a compulsion to help and then she realizes he doesn't really need it. Focusing on what he CAN do instead of what he can't do is how she can best support her friend. She's also very obsessive about being a "good citizen".

[Amber Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love Stella in our house! Stella to the Rescue was an excellent story of families sticking together, supporting one another and learning about each other. As Stella's Mom works to get her citizenship, she learns more about her ancestry and culture. Stella continues to fight for clean water with her friends. Love this series!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my, Stella Diaz is an adorable protagonist! I didn't realize this book was the fourth in a series, but it worked perfectly as a stand-alone story. If you have a kiddo who likes school stories, I would recommend this one for its interesting characters and sweet, relatable storylines.

(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

[Lisa D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Layla W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite book series! I just don't love how Stella Diaz complains for most of the book. Otherwise it's a good book!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus or Netgalley

[c · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another read aloud with Maggie