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Shine On, Luz Véliz!
A beautiful coming-of-age story for fans of Front Desk and Merci Suárez Changes Gears , this book celebrates identity, language, heritage, family, and the determination to follow one's own inner light.
Have you ever been the best at something . . . only to lose it all?
Luz Véliz is a soccer star―or rather, she was a soccer star. With her serious knee injury, it's unlikely she'll be back on the field anytime soon. But without soccer, who is she? Even her dad treats her differently now—like he doesn't know her or, worse, like he doesn't even like her. When Luz discovers she has a knack for coding, it feels like a lifeline to a better self. If she can just ace the May Showcase, she'll not only skip a level in her coding courses and impress Ms. Freeman and intriguing, brilliant Trevor—she'll have her parents cheering her on from the sidelines, just the way she likes it.
But something—someone—is about to enter the Vélizes' life. And when Solana arrives, nothing will be the same, ever again.
Unforgettable characters, family drama, and dauntless determination illuminate Luz's journey as she summons her inner strength and learns to accept others and embrace the enduring connection of family. Through it all, Luz's light is a constant—a guide for others, a path forward through the dark, and an ineffable celebration of her own eternal self.
This is the second novel by Pure Belpré Honor winner Rebecca Balcárcel!
FAST-PACED FAMILY DRAMA: Fast-paced, deeply felt, and with all the high highs and low lows of adolescence, this story is downright fun —a page-turner even while it's dealing with serious issues.
WHO AM I? This book grapples with a topic so many young people deal with daily: one's relationship to heritage and culture. Luz confronts her ties to her home country, the place of her father's birth, and her family itself in a thoughtful, emotional journey filled with humor, urgency, and grace.
CODING IS COOL!: Coding is a language many kids enjoy learning and are encouraged to master. The way this book frames coding and computer programming as an opportunity for communication, bonding, and building fun, practical skills will speak loudly to kids already interested in the field while also resonating with those who aren't.
AN ALL-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: This is an important book for its thought-provoking, empathetic look at immigration in the United States and at how the threat of deportation informs the experiences of some of our country's most vulnerable communities. With lyrical prose, deeply felt characters, and a relatable story, Shine On, Luz V&eacaute;liz! adds substantively to our fraught discussion about immigration and opens it to young readers.
AUTHOR ON THE RISE: Rebecca Balcárcel won the Pura Belpré Author Honor, which recognizes literature for children or youth that best portrays the Latino cultural experience, for her first book, The Other Half of Happy . She is a beloved presence in the children's literature community and is making her mark as a writer to watch.
Perfect for:
• Kids who love reading about family and friend drama
• Kids who love coding
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Educators
• Fans of Meg Medina, Rebecca Stead, and Kelly Yang
Have you ever been the best at something . . . only to lose it all?
Luz Véliz is a soccer star―or rather, she was a soccer star. With her serious knee injury, it's unlikely she'll be back on the field anytime soon. But without soccer, who is she? Even her dad treats her differently now—like he doesn't know her or, worse, like he doesn't even like her. When Luz discovers she has a knack for coding, it feels like a lifeline to a better self. If she can just ace the May Showcase, she'll not only skip a level in her coding courses and impress Ms. Freeman and intriguing, brilliant Trevor—she'll have her parents cheering her on from the sidelines, just the way she likes it.
But something—someone—is about to enter the Vélizes' life. And when Solana arrives, nothing will be the same, ever again.
Unforgettable characters, family drama, and dauntless determination illuminate Luz's journey as she summons her inner strength and learns to accept others and embrace the enduring connection of family. Through it all, Luz's light is a constant—a guide for others, a path forward through the dark, and an ineffable celebration of her own eternal self.
This is the second novel by Pure Belpré Honor winner Rebecca Balcárcel!
FAST-PACED FAMILY DRAMA: Fast-paced, deeply felt, and with all the high highs and low lows of adolescence, this story is downright fun —a page-turner even while it's dealing with serious issues.
WHO AM I? This book grapples with a topic so many young people deal with daily: one's relationship to heritage and culture. Luz confronts her ties to her home country, the place of her father's birth, and her family itself in a thoughtful, emotional journey filled with humor, urgency, and grace.
CODING IS COOL!: Coding is a language many kids enjoy learning and are encouraged to master. The way this book frames coding and computer programming as an opportunity for communication, bonding, and building fun, practical skills will speak loudly to kids already interested in the field while also resonating with those who aren't.
AN ALL-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: This is an important book for its thought-provoking, empathetic look at immigration in the United States and at how the threat of deportation informs the experiences of some of our country's most vulnerable communities. With lyrical prose, deeply felt characters, and a relatable story, Shine On, Luz V&eacaute;liz! adds substantively to our fraught discussion about immigration and opens it to young readers.
AUTHOR ON THE RISE: Rebecca Balcárcel won the Pura Belpré Author Honor, which recognizes literature for children or youth that best portrays the Latino cultural experience, for her first book, The Other Half of Happy . She is a beloved presence in the children's literature community and is making her mark as a writer to watch.
Perfect for:
• Kids who love reading about family and friend drama
• Kids who love coding
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Educators
• Fans of Meg Medina, Rebecca Stead, and Kelly Yang
276 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2022
51 people are currently reading
2180 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Balcárcel
4 books98 followersHi! I love popcorn, chocolate, and my kitty, as well as writing books! I'm a bi-cultural Latina who is still learning Español, and every day that I play in my word sandbox is a happy one. :-)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
January 22, 2023
I hope you enjoy meeting Luz and joining her on her journey to learn robotics, coding, and how to enlarge a family! #bicultural #GirlsWhoCode #Guatemala
April 20, 2024
Jameson recommended this (he read it 4 times!). Great upper elementary/middle school choice about growth/overcoming challenges.
January 8, 2022
I just finished reading this delightful book and can’t wait to share it with the readers in my life!
Middle school student Luz Véliz is dealing with some big changes. First we learn about a knee injury that has interrupted her trajectory as a soccer star, thus changing her relationship with her dad (who was her coach and #1 fan). When she discovers an interest in robotics, she has to balance her old world of soccer and teammates with her goal of making it into an advanced robotics class.
THEN … there’s a new wrinkle to deal with. I don’t want to spoil it so I won’t give details … I had no idea it was coming and it was such an important and special part of the book.
There are many characters to love here… at the center is Luz herself, of course—but her family members are wonderful, too. I also adored Mr. Mac, Luz’s quirky and supportive neighbor.
Balcarcel is especially gifted in creating relationships that ring true. The family relationships are incredibly real, as are the interactions with Luz’s former teammate and new robotics friend. I loved this aspect of her debut novel THE OTHER HALF OF HAPPY, which I highly recommend as well.
This is a rich, satisfying book with lovable characters who grow and change over the course of the story. SHINE ON, LUZ VÉLIZ is a gem. Highly recommended!
Middle school student Luz Véliz is dealing with some big changes. First we learn about a knee injury that has interrupted her trajectory as a soccer star, thus changing her relationship with her dad (who was her coach and #1 fan). When she discovers an interest in robotics, she has to balance her old world of soccer and teammates with her goal of making it into an advanced robotics class.
THEN … there’s a new wrinkle to deal with. I don’t want to spoil it so I won’t give details … I had no idea it was coming and it was such an important and special part of the book.
There are many characters to love here… at the center is Luz herself, of course—but her family members are wonderful, too. I also adored Mr. Mac, Luz’s quirky and supportive neighbor.
Balcarcel is especially gifted in creating relationships that ring true. The family relationships are incredibly real, as are the interactions with Luz’s former teammate and new robotics friend. I loved this aspect of her debut novel THE OTHER HALF OF HAPPY, which I highly recommend as well.
This is a rich, satisfying book with lovable characters who grow and change over the course of the story. SHINE ON, LUZ VÉLIZ is a gem. Highly recommended!
April 5, 2022
Shine On, Luz Véliz is a riveting, heartwarming book about rediscovering your identity, coding, family, and languages. I adored the storytelling in this beautiful story. Balcarcel has outdone herself by creating a relatable, strong-willed protagonist trying to find herself after a major life disruption. I loved the Latino culture, Luz and Solana’s relationship, and all the coding with Mr. Mac! Definitely recommend!
Read my full review on the blog.
Many thanks to Chronicle Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read my full review on the blog.
Many thanks to Chronicle Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2024
About Luz finding her way in life after being injured in a soccer game which starts off like you would expect but goes in a completely different direction than the usual approach to injured kid has to learn there's more to life than original dream.
Here we get robotics (YAS), an elderly neighbor on her street helping her out, , and so much more. I love how Balcárcel wrote the relationship between Luz and her parents (as a unit and separately) and how realistic the portrayal of grief and change is.
Here we get robotics (YAS), an elderly neighbor on her street helping her out, , and so much more. I love how Balcárcel wrote the relationship between Luz and her parents (as a unit and separately) and how realistic the portrayal of grief and change is.
March 20, 2022
This is a fantastic middle grade novel, relatable to kids and adults alike! As a bilingual librarian, I love stories that will appeal to the dual language students at my school. So many of them will love this story and find inspiration in it.
P.S. I specifically thought “Oh it would be great if they included a recipe in the back….” I checked, and there it was! Can’t wait to try out some delicious chilaquilas!
P.S. I specifically thought “Oh it would be great if they included a recipe in the back….” I checked, and there it was! Can’t wait to try out some delicious chilaquilas!
November 22, 2022
*I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher*
I really enjoyed reading Luz’s story. A few times I stayed up reading later than I meant to because I couldn’t put it down
For the most part Luz was a sympathetic narrator and her thoughts and words seemed authentic. Near the end some of the inner dialogue felt a little forced but the ending was satisfying.
I really enjoyed reading Luz’s story. A few times I stayed up reading later than I meant to because I couldn’t put it down
For the most part Luz was a sympathetic narrator and her thoughts and words seemed authentic. Near the end some of the inner dialogue felt a little forced but the ending was satisfying.
January 18, 2023
I liked when she found out she had another sister
February 18, 2023
Great story.
January 22, 2024
4.5-4.75/5
April 15, 2022
Thank you to the author and publisher for sharing an early copy with #bookexpedition!
Absolutely loved meeting Luz and following along on her journey as she discovers her own inner light!
Luz is a soccer star…or rather, she WAS a soccer star, until a serious injury took her from the field. Without soccer, Luz struggles to find her identity and connect with her dad, who was her coach and #1 fan.
And when her dad drops a MAJOR family announcement on her, Luz must prepare for another big life change that she never saw coming.
But when she discovers she has a knack for coding, Luz meets a side of herself that she didn’t know existed. With the help of fellow coder Trevor and helpful neighbor Mr. Mac, Luz plans to ace the May Showcase, gaining back her parents’ attention
With unforgettable characters, this fast-paced family drama is packed with humor, friendships, and identity and is perfect for middle grade classrooms and libraries. Publishing on May 3, 2022 - preorder now!
Absolutely loved meeting Luz and following along on her journey as she discovers her own inner light!
Luz is a soccer star…or rather, she WAS a soccer star, until a serious injury took her from the field. Without soccer, Luz struggles to find her identity and connect with her dad, who was her coach and #1 fan.
And when her dad drops a MAJOR family announcement on her, Luz must prepare for another big life change that she never saw coming.
But when she discovers she has a knack for coding, Luz meets a side of herself that she didn’t know existed. With the help of fellow coder Trevor and helpful neighbor Mr. Mac, Luz plans to ace the May Showcase, gaining back her parents’ attention
With unforgettable characters, this fast-paced family drama is packed with humor, friendships, and identity and is perfect for middle grade classrooms and libraries. Publishing on May 3, 2022 - preorder now!
January 12, 2025
This was lovely.
October 31, 2024
[audiobook]
April 24, 2024
This is by far my favorite KidLit read of 2024 to date. What a bunch of strong female characters in non-stereotypical rolls. Can you explain the process of coding any better? Let's tie in some major human rights/world issues. Tie it all together with family issues and rediscovering oneself. This novel hits on so many different levels, I can't wait until my daughter is old enough to devour these pages. Until then I won't be waiting to get this into the hands of every girl I can possibly get to read it (and I'm not excluding boys either, for sure a lot for them to gain, but holy girl power!).
October 29, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Luz was a fantastic soccer player until an unfortunate injury on the field damaged her leg to the point where she must always be very careful with it. Since her identity, as well as her relationship with her coaching father, was so dependent on the sport, she finds herself struggling with where to fit in. Even her first hour class at school is soccer, and she has to decide on whether to stay in it or to switch. When she sees a coding class, she decides to investigate that, since she frequently hangs out with a neighbor, Mr. McClellan, who worked for Texas Instruments and has a workshop in his garages with lots of computers and parts. The teacher says that there is limited space in the class, and there are prerequisites as well as a competition to show off coding skills... which happens in nine weeks. She and Mr. Mac think that she can learn enough code in that time, but her parents have a surprise for her. Her father has a daughter in Guatemala, and since her mother has died, she is coming to live with them. She will even share Luz's room. This isn't great news, but there's little Luz can do about it, and the more she gets to know her new sister, the more she realizes the challenges that she is facing. Of course, Luz is also irritated that Solara gets a lot of attention from her parents for her cooking and upbeat attitude, and that she is also popular at school, even though she doesn't speak much English. Once the girls start to communicate more (through Google translate, at times), Solara starts to help Luz with her coding, since she had worked on computers with her aunt back home. With the competition right around the corner, the girls have a falling out. Will Luz's new grasp of technology help to find her sister, and will the two be able to find a way forward as a family?
Strengths: The beginning sucked me right in-- a sports injury that makes a child incapable of playing a sport they love. This is absolutely devastating, especially when the father was also coaching. It was good that Luz found another interest, and her relationship with Mr. Mac was fantastic. In fact, I think he is my favorite middle grade neighbor EVER! Of course, he is about my age, given his relationship with the entire history of computers! The coding and tech descriptions are about the best and most realistic that I have ever seen. Having a new sister arrive at the house is also done realistically, and the information about situations in Guatemala, as well as the Guatemalan culture in Luz's household, also strikes just the right note. The depiction of starting a new school in a new country is great, and I loved that the girls communicated using Google translate! Just the other day, I had a student come in to the library, type into her phone, and show me "Can I have a book that's not too hard?" This is a spot on use of technology. Luz's parents are supportive, the school details all make sense, and I enjoyed this stroy quite a bit.
Weaknesses: Ah, man. Did we have to have that happen to Mr. Mac? (He lives. He doesn't even go into the hospital. But I don't want to spoil it.) I wish the cover weren't so young. The new sister drama and the soccer injury would make this great for 8th grade readers, but they will be reluctant to pick this up.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing, although my students will be somewhat disappointed that we don't have any coding opportunities at our school.
Luz was a fantastic soccer player until an unfortunate injury on the field damaged her leg to the point where she must always be very careful with it. Since her identity, as well as her relationship with her coaching father, was so dependent on the sport, she finds herself struggling with where to fit in. Even her first hour class at school is soccer, and she has to decide on whether to stay in it or to switch. When she sees a coding class, she decides to investigate that, since she frequently hangs out with a neighbor, Mr. McClellan, who worked for Texas Instruments and has a workshop in his garages with lots of computers and parts. The teacher says that there is limited space in the class, and there are prerequisites as well as a competition to show off coding skills... which happens in nine weeks. She and Mr. Mac think that she can learn enough code in that time, but her parents have a surprise for her. Her father has a daughter in Guatemala, and since her mother has died, she is coming to live with them. She will even share Luz's room. This isn't great news, but there's little Luz can do about it, and the more she gets to know her new sister, the more she realizes the challenges that she is facing. Of course, Luz is also irritated that Solara gets a lot of attention from her parents for her cooking and upbeat attitude, and that she is also popular at school, even though she doesn't speak much English. Once the girls start to communicate more (through Google translate, at times), Solara starts to help Luz with her coding, since she had worked on computers with her aunt back home. With the competition right around the corner, the girls have a falling out. Will Luz's new grasp of technology help to find her sister, and will the two be able to find a way forward as a family?
Strengths: The beginning sucked me right in-- a sports injury that makes a child incapable of playing a sport they love. This is absolutely devastating, especially when the father was also coaching. It was good that Luz found another interest, and her relationship with Mr. Mac was fantastic. In fact, I think he is my favorite middle grade neighbor EVER! Of course, he is about my age, given his relationship with the entire history of computers! The coding and tech descriptions are about the best and most realistic that I have ever seen. Having a new sister arrive at the house is also done realistically, and the information about situations in Guatemala, as well as the Guatemalan culture in Luz's household, also strikes just the right note. The depiction of starting a new school in a new country is great, and I loved that the girls communicated using Google translate! Just the other day, I had a student come in to the library, type into her phone, and show me "Can I have a book that's not too hard?" This is a spot on use of technology. Luz's parents are supportive, the school details all make sense, and I enjoyed this stroy quite a bit.
Weaknesses: Ah, man. Did we have to have that happen to Mr. Mac? (He lives. He doesn't even go into the hospital. But I don't want to spoil it.) I wish the cover weren't so young. The new sister drama and the soccer injury would make this great for 8th grade readers, but they will be reluctant to pick this up.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing, although my students will be somewhat disappointed that we don't have any coding opportunities at our school.
April 27, 2022
“A self is not discovered, but created…You can build yourself. Create who you want to be…Do you want to add something new? Add layers to your life.” As a result of a serious knee injury, Luz has lost soccer from her life and her older neighbor-friend, Mr. Mac, reminds her that she is more than just a sport that she once excelled at playing. She just needs to keep looking for all the wonderful possibilities are available to her. With the help of Mr. Mac, supportive parents, some new friends and a teacher at school plus a surprise sister from Guatemala, Luz will find a way to keep her light shining brightly. The fast-paced plot, relatable and well-developed main characters, and an encouraging message will keep middle grade readers turning the pages of this realistic fiction book. At roughly 250 pages, the length makes it a manageable read for most students in grades 3-6 and while author Rebecca Balcarcel sprinkles Spanish throughout, the context is rich and/or translation is woven seamlessly into the text making it easy for English-only students to comprehend. Characters come from an array of ethnic backgrounds and gang-related violence faced by those living in Guatemala is included in a way that does not feel heavy-handed but will inform readers of issues that may be unfamiliar. Recommended for libraries serving grades 3-6 with no reservations in regards to profanity, sexual content and the references to violence are not graphic.
Thanks for sharing an arc with #BookAllies, Chronicle Books.
Thanks for sharing an arc with #BookAllies, Chronicle Books.
July 11, 2022
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Synopsis: Shine on Luz Véliz follows the story of Luz as she’s dealing with the aftermath of her knee injury. She’s used to being a star on the soccer field but now that she can’t, she misses her families cheering and excitement. When she discovers she has a knack for coding and all things computers she is eager to make something good enough to showcase at the school robotics show. But a new edition to the family and troubles with her programming will cause halts along the way.
Pros:
- I loved the relationship between Luz and Solana, I really liked how it developed and there were many cute moments between the two of them
-Mr.Mac was such a fun character who really added to the plot and the overall story
-I enjoyed getting to see Luz fall in love with coding and it was nice to have some girls in stem representation
Cons:
-at times I found the character of Luz to be annoying, however most of this was changed through her character arc
Something else that really stood out to me was the way the book talked about injuries/being injured. As someone who is currently injured and has been dealing with injury for the past 10 or so months here are some quotes that hit me hard:
“So now I don’t carry around the prop of an Injured Person, but the damage is still there.”
-page 20
“The pain makes me tear up again, not because it hurts, but because I can’t get past it. I can’t seem to leave the injury behind. It’s always there, reminding me that I can’t be special, that I can’t be a star, that no one will ever cheer for me now.”
-page 209
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Synopsis: Shine on Luz Véliz follows the story of Luz as she’s dealing with the aftermath of her knee injury. She’s used to being a star on the soccer field but now that she can’t, she misses her families cheering and excitement. When she discovers she has a knack for coding and all things computers she is eager to make something good enough to showcase at the school robotics show. But a new edition to the family and troubles with her programming will cause halts along the way.
Pros:
- I loved the relationship between Luz and Solana, I really liked how it developed and there were many cute moments between the two of them
-Mr.Mac was such a fun character who really added to the plot and the overall story
-I enjoyed getting to see Luz fall in love with coding and it was nice to have some girls in stem representation
Cons:
-at times I found the character of Luz to be annoying, however most of this was changed through her character arc
Something else that really stood out to me was the way the book talked about injuries/being injured. As someone who is currently injured and has been dealing with injury for the past 10 or so months here are some quotes that hit me hard:
“So now I don’t carry around the prop of an Injured Person, but the damage is still there.”
-page 20
“The pain makes me tear up again, not because it hurts, but because I can’t get past it. I can’t seem to leave the injury behind. It’s always there, reminding me that I can’t be special, that I can’t be a star, that no one will ever cheer for me now.”
-page 209
March 17, 2024
2024-25 Elementary Battle of the Books selection
This was good! Luz has been playing soccer and her dad has been coaching the team. However, when the book opens, we learn that she's recovering from a major knee injury and will most likely never play again. Like many kids - and adults - Luz isn't sure who she is without soccer [for others, insert favorite sport/job/whatever]. Thus begins her journey of finding herself.
Computers and coding come into focus, plus there's family drama. It's an interesting mix of several different plot lines and social issues but well done in my opinion. And I learned about the ENIAC Six! I'm still reading articles about these amazing women and their work.
The author includes an afterward explaining some of why she wrote this book, shedding light on the real violence in Guatemala that has been frightened to live there. Very interesting to read and see how it's affected her writing.
This was good! Luz has been playing soccer and her dad has been coaching the team. However, when the book opens, we learn that she's recovering from a major knee injury and will most likely never play again. Like many kids - and adults - Luz isn't sure who she is without soccer [for others, insert favorite sport/job/whatever]. Thus begins her journey of finding herself.
Computers and coding come into focus, plus there's family drama. It's an interesting mix of several different plot lines and social issues but well done in my opinion. And I learned about the ENIAC Six! I'm still reading articles about these amazing women and their work.
The author includes an afterward explaining some of why she wrote this book, shedding light on the real violence in Guatemala that has been frightened to live there. Very interesting to read and see how it's affected her writing.
January 6, 2024
Soccer used to define Luz Veliz's life. Her dad coached her travel team and they bonded over drills, practices, and winning games. She also was on the school team and had soccer as her elective, plus a group of friends in her teammates. Then Luz has a career-ending injury and feels like she is losing her friends, her place at school, her relationship with her father, and her purpose. A chance encounter with a robotics teacher piques her interest in robotics, and with help from a tech-savvy neighbor, Luz thinks she has found her new "thing". Then her parents drop a bombshell: All of the robot stuff is interesting ad fun, but really takes a back seat to all of the interpersonal drama in Luz's life.
January 2, 2022
Wow. Wow wow wow. What an AMAZING book to start the new year with. I haven't read Rebecca Balcárcel's debut yet, but if her sophomore book is any indication, I 100% get why her first story was a Pura Belpré Honor Book.
SHINE ON, LUZ VÉLIZ tackles two stories in one: that of Luz coming to terms with her soccer-ending injury and discovering coding, and that of Luz & her family learning to love a new member (Luz's Guatemalan half-sister) and reinventing what it means to be a unit.
Truly, this novel blew me away. I laughed. I cried. I debated learning coding via Scratch. It is the perfect story to share with any kids going through the ups and downs of a blended family, and it is *especially* the perfect book to share with any kid who you think might be interested in giving robotics a try.
Honestly, this middle grade might actually make it into my favorites of the year, and the year literally just started 😂! That's how good it is.
Keep your eyes peeled! This gem comes out May 2022.
SHINE ON, LUZ VÉLIZ tackles two stories in one: that of Luz coming to terms with her soccer-ending injury and discovering coding, and that of Luz & her family learning to love a new member (Luz's Guatemalan half-sister) and reinventing what it means to be a unit.
Truly, this novel blew me away. I laughed. I cried. I debated learning coding via Scratch. It is the perfect story to share with any kids going through the ups and downs of a blended family, and it is *especially* the perfect book to share with any kid who you think might be interested in giving robotics a try.
Honestly, this middle grade might actually make it into my favorites of the year, and the year literally just started 😂! That's how good it is.
Keep your eyes peeled! This gem comes out May 2022.
June 5, 2022
Sixth grader Luz was a star soccer player before a knee injury put an end to her days on the field. Once she's unable to play the game she loved, Luz struggles to find something to fill the empty space. She also misses the connection she had with her dad. He coached her in soccer, and now that she's not playing, she finds him distant and treating her differently. With the help of her supportive neighbor Mr. Mac, she dives headfirst into learning about computer coding. Luz's life is again shaken up a significant change in her family dynamics (don't want to give it away!) impacts the family dynamics and offers Luz an opportunity to learn and grow. This was a fabulous book! I loved following Luz's journey as she built her life outside of soccer and adjusted to the changes in her family. The intergenerational relationship between Luz and neighbor Mr. Mac was also a highlight of the book. I will definitely be adding this one to my library's collection. With relatable themes, engaging characters, and good pacing as well as highlighting girls in STEM, it will be enjoyed by many readers.
February 21, 2023
I absolutely LOVED this book. When everything falls apart, there's nothing to do but pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try something new, which is what Luz has to do when her career in soccer falls apart. She turns to Robotics and Coding and discovers a whole new world thanks to her neighbor Mr. Mac. In addition to finding a new path in coding, her world is changed overnight when she learns that she has a half sister in Mexico who is coming to live with her and her parents. How will Luz learn to adjust to this new family unit? The author reflects Luz's struggle with trying to fit in, not just at school but at home. Not only is Luz trying to fit in, but Solana, her half sister is trying to navigate a new world, both family and school. Family drama, along with self discovery play a huge part in this story. I loved that Luz discovered Coding/Robotics. Young girls looking to step into this field need to read this book.
September 12, 2022
A serious knee injury leaves Luz on the bench and feeling untethered at home and with her friends. Through the help of an old friend and an unexpected new one she tries to find out who she is and discovers what she's capable of outside of soccer.
Thoroughly charmed by this story of family, science, friendship, and forgiveness. I've come across a few stories of father/child expectations especially when it comes to sports (Chunky, most recently) and overprotective parents. I feel like this one is one of the strongest, hitting realistic notes and maintaining its heart, even as it touches upon some difficult subject matter like serious illness, deportation, and loss. Luz's family, though complicated, feels real and Luz herself is a character you want to root for even when she's not always her best self and still finding her way.
Thoroughly charmed by this story of family, science, friendship, and forgiveness. I've come across a few stories of father/child expectations especially when it comes to sports (Chunky, most recently) and overprotective parents. I feel like this one is one of the strongest, hitting realistic notes and maintaining its heart, even as it touches upon some difficult subject matter like serious illness, deportation, and loss. Luz's family, though complicated, feels real and Luz herself is a character you want to root for even when she's not always her best self and still finding her way.
June 8, 2023
I am in such a book slump right now and find it hard to get into anything I try to read. As a result, Shine On, Luz Veliz by started a little slow for me, but I ended up enjoying it.
Middle-schooler, Luz Veliz, was a soccer all-star until she injured her knee. Now that the doctor says she can’t play anymore, she doesn’t know what to do with her time or how to connect with her dad since soccer was their “thing”. At school, Luz discovers robotics, and with the help of her neighbor, Mr. Mac, she decides to participate in a showcase. Meanwhile, things at home are complicated when Luz finds out she has a half-sister in Guatemala who will be coming to live with her family.
Shine On, Luz Veliz is about what happens when dreams are crushed and one must create a new world with new dreams. Luz shows readers that change, while it might be scary, is often better than expected
Middle-schooler, Luz Veliz, was a soccer all-star until she injured her knee. Now that the doctor says she can’t play anymore, she doesn’t know what to do with her time or how to connect with her dad since soccer was their “thing”. At school, Luz discovers robotics, and with the help of her neighbor, Mr. Mac, she decides to participate in a showcase. Meanwhile, things at home are complicated when Luz finds out she has a half-sister in Guatemala who will be coming to live with her family.
Shine On, Luz Veliz is about what happens when dreams are crushed and one must create a new world with new dreams. Luz shows readers that change, while it might be scary, is often better than expected
December 12, 2022
Everyone has hard things going on in their lives and it's easy to be absorbed in your own issues, especially when you are younger. Part of growing up is learning to empathize with those around you, which is exactly what Luz does in this novel.
Because her injury no longer allows her to play soccer, Luz pivots into trying out coding and robotics. She is also busy resenting her new half-sister, Solana, who has just moved from Guatemala and is spending a lot of time with their father. As Luz learns about what Solana has gone through, however, her worldview opens up, and she has a new respect for Solana's bravery and the way she handles tough situations with a positive attitude.
This is a delightful story of family, friendship, and learning to find your spark.
Because her injury no longer allows her to play soccer, Luz pivots into trying out coding and robotics. She is also busy resenting her new half-sister, Solana, who has just moved from Guatemala and is spending a lot of time with their father. As Luz learns about what Solana has gone through, however, her worldview opens up, and she has a new respect for Solana's bravery and the way she handles tough situations with a positive attitude.
This is a delightful story of family, friendship, and learning to find your spark.
July 26, 2022
I love, love, love Luz. She is beyond imperfect and this story embraces her moments of selfishness, fear, sadness, and growth. Because these feelings and experiences are REAL for anyone whose family goes through changes like Luz's does.
I highly recommend pairing this with Gillian McDunn's HONESTLY ELLIOTT as both stories are about navigating changes in the nuclear family (adding siblings and/or step-parents.) Each of these books are such perfect examples of the mistakes & mess; the beauty & forgiveness as families are blended.
Both stories are sweet, honest, and absolute 5-star gems.
I highly recommend pairing this with Gillian McDunn's HONESTLY ELLIOTT as both stories are about navigating changes in the nuclear family (adding siblings and/or step-parents.) Each of these books are such perfect examples of the mistakes & mess; the beauty & forgiveness as families are blended.
Both stories are sweet, honest, and absolute 5-star gems.
July 27, 2022
The cover makes this book appear as if it’s for a very young reader, but don’t let it fool you. There are some of tough topics covered in this book, along with a great STEM premise.
July 17, 2024
Before I read the book, I thought I didn’t like characters who were either purely good or purely bad. After reading it, I realized that it’s actually better to have characters with clear traits rather than making them unreasonably “complicated.”
The beginning of the story was good. Luz was jealous of her new sister, Solana, because Solana got all the attention from school and family. At the same time, Luz injured her foot and couldn’t play her favorite sport, football, anymore. Naturally, she didn’t like Solana at all. Then Solana cried in front of her “why you don’t like me? ”SERIOUSLY?! What a bitch! Of course our little girl Luz felt guilty! “Everyone else likes her but not me. Well, I should like her.”
Unfortunately, Solana is the mean character in the book, yet she is portrayed as smart, kind, talented, popular, sweet, and sensitive. So, as a reader, I feel like I have to like her.
Awful!
Then there are the parents—the worst nightmare! The father is a coward, and the mother is always politically correct. But again, the author tries to show them as imperfect but overall okay, portraying it as a sweet family.
After reading the book, you realize that the family never paid attention to Luz. She had to deal with all her problems by herself. She got some inspiration from things the neighbor said or from an old friend passing by. But her family? They just didn’t care and never considered how her life had completely changed.
3 stars for Mr. Mac. He is not just the light across the street; he is the only light in the book.
The beginning of the story was good. Luz was jealous of her new sister, Solana, because Solana got all the attention from school and family. At the same time, Luz injured her foot and couldn’t play her favorite sport, football, anymore. Naturally, she didn’t like Solana at all. Then Solana cried in front of her “why you don’t like me? ”SERIOUSLY?! What a bitch! Of course our little girl Luz felt guilty! “Everyone else likes her but not me. Well, I should like her.”
Unfortunately, Solana is the mean character in the book, yet she is portrayed as smart, kind, talented, popular, sweet, and sensitive. So, as a reader, I feel like I have to like her.
Awful!
Then there are the parents—the worst nightmare! The father is a coward, and the mother is always politically correct. But again, the author tries to show them as imperfect but overall okay, portraying it as a sweet family.
After reading the book, you realize that the family never paid attention to Luz. She had to deal with all her problems by herself. She got some inspiration from things the neighbor said or from an old friend passing by. But her family? They just didn’t care and never considered how her life had completely changed.
3 stars for Mr. Mac. He is not just the light across the street; he is the only light in the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2024
Representation: Biracial (half Latina and half white,) Latino/a characters and a character with autism
Trigger warnings: Death and murder of relatives and a disappearance of a child in the past, grief and loss depiction, physical injury
Score: Seven out of ten.
Find this review on The StoryGraph.
Shine On, Luz Véliz by Rebecca Balcárcel is everything In The Key of Code isn't. Surprisingly, this is only the second book I've read featuring a young protagonist who programs, and this one circled my recommendations until I saw it on a library display shelf and picked it up. When I closed the final page, it was enjoyable.
Did I mention this one got me out of a streak of okay or disappointing books? It starts with Luz Véliz having to stop playing soccer for a while after she injured her knee in the opening pages. She has to find something new to do after that, so she takes on programming (or coding as she calls it) for the first time. I liked many aspects, so I'm unsure where to start, but I'll try, first, I liked the theme of redefining yourself and the message that people can change. I enjoyed reading the characters, especially Luz, since Balcárcel put in the extra effort by developing her character. I appreciated that and the support networks she has. Shine On, Luz Véliz has a subplot where Luz discovers she has a half sister, Solana, adding intrigue and another layer of development, but I would've liked to see more of the side character with autism briefly mentioned for a few pages.
The pacing was engaging enough, with a length of less than 300 pages without being too overwhelming. Unlike In the Key of Code, this novel took time familiarising me with the two ways of programming used, one language on an old Apple computer and another called Scratch (I've heard of that before.) It feels realistic since there is no unfamiliar programming languages or ones that would be too complex to understand for a person aged similarly to Luz, like Java. On the contrary, there are some Spanish phrases. I don't understand Spanish, but adding a glossary would've helped and the conclusion involving a programming competition was worth the wait as I get to see Luz doing what she is most passionate about. Wow.
Trigger warnings: Death and murder of relatives and a disappearance of a child in the past, grief and loss depiction, physical injury
Score: Seven out of ten.
Find this review on The StoryGraph.
Shine On, Luz Véliz by Rebecca Balcárcel is everything In The Key of Code isn't. Surprisingly, this is only the second book I've read featuring a young protagonist who programs, and this one circled my recommendations until I saw it on a library display shelf and picked it up. When I closed the final page, it was enjoyable.
Did I mention this one got me out of a streak of okay or disappointing books? It starts with Luz Véliz having to stop playing soccer for a while after she injured her knee in the opening pages. She has to find something new to do after that, so she takes on programming (or coding as she calls it) for the first time. I liked many aspects, so I'm unsure where to start, but I'll try, first, I liked the theme of redefining yourself and the message that people can change. I enjoyed reading the characters, especially Luz, since Balcárcel put in the extra effort by developing her character. I appreciated that and the support networks she has. Shine On, Luz Véliz has a subplot where Luz discovers she has a half sister, Solana, adding intrigue and another layer of development, but I would've liked to see more of the side character with autism briefly mentioned for a few pages.
The pacing was engaging enough, with a length of less than 300 pages without being too overwhelming. Unlike In the Key of Code, this novel took time familiarising me with the two ways of programming used, one language on an old Apple computer and another called Scratch (I've heard of that before.) It feels realistic since there is no unfamiliar programming languages or ones that would be too complex to understand for a person aged similarly to Luz, like Java. On the contrary, there are some Spanish phrases. I don't understand Spanish, but adding a glossary would've helped and the conclusion involving a programming competition was worth the wait as I get to see Luz doing what she is most passionate about. Wow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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