Miosotis Flores Never Forgets

By Hilda Burgos
Hardcover: $18.95

Perfect for fans of Meg Medina and Barbara O’Connor, this heartfelt novel about family, pets, and other things we hold close is one that you’ll never forget.

Description

Miosotis Flores is excited about three things: fostering rescue dogs, goofy horror movies, and her sister Amarilis’s upcoming wedding. School? Not on that list. But her papi cares about school more than anything else, so they strike a deal: If Miosotis improves her grades in two classes, she can adopt a dog of her own in the summer.

Miosotis dives into her schoolwork, and into nurturing a fearful little pup called Freckles. Could he become her forever dog? At the same time, she notices Amarilis behaving strangely–wearing thick clothes in springtime, dropping her friends in favor of her fiancé, even avoiding Miosotis and the rest of their family.

When she finally discovers her sister’s secret, Miosotis faces some difficult choices. What do you do if someone is in danger, but doesn’t want your help? When should you ask for support, and when should you try to handle things on your own? And what ultimately matters most–what Miosotis wants, or what’s right for the ones she loves?

About the Creators

Hilda Burgos

Hilda Eunice Burgos is the author of the middle-grade novels Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle and Miosotis Flores Never Forgets and the picture book The Cot in the Living Room. The daughter of Dominican immigrants, she lives with her family near Philadelphia, where she works as an environmental lawyer. Please visit her website at hildaeuniceburgos.com.

Awards

  • Best Children's Books of the Year 2022

    Bank Street College of Education

  • Carolyn W. Field Award Honor

    Pennsylvania Library Association

  • MISelf in Books

    Michigan Association of School Librarians

Reviews

  • "With Miosotis Flores Never Forgets, Hilda Eunice Burgos has delivered moving, richly layered story with an honest, often heartbreaking, and beautiful look at a Dominican American family. At the center of this bouquet of a story is Miosotis, an endearing and unforgettable twelve-year-old Latina, blooming into discovering her own strengths and courage."

    - Aida Salazar, award-winning author of The Moon Within and Land of the Cranes
  • "A stunning and relatable story about patience, puppies, and the power of family that will make readers think deeply about when to speak up and get help for someone they love."

    - Alyson Gerber, author of the bestselling The Liars Society series
  • "Will speak to middle-schoolers who love dogs, hate homework, and crave real agency in their families and communities. This book is for the kids who ask big questions about prejudice, hurt, and healing—and who won't be talked down to."

    - Emma Otheguy, author of Silver Meadows Summer and Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene
  • "Covers the tough subject of domestic abuse and understanding what to do when you witness someone in danger. . . A profound and heartwrenching book that can help kick-start conversations on these heavy and complicated issues."

    - Booklist
  • "[Burgos] crafts a character who is thoughtful and true to herself, creating a satisfying story arc in which the protagonist determines her own potential. The book's message will reassure readers who find themselves overshadowed by siblings' achievements — or overwhelmed by their troubles — and who face pressure to live up to the expectations of others."

    - The Horn Book
  • "The author explores colorism through Miosotis' multigenerational Dominican American family—Miosotis is darker-skinned with textured hair, like her Papi; Amarilis has light hair and eyes like their late mother—as Abuela's judgmental comments about brown skin are carefully unpacked and given context. The story admirably handles themes of recognizing abuse of humans and dogs in an accessible, thoughtful way. A poignant tale of learning how to help those you love."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "[An] engaging, clear-eyed novel. . . Burgos builds a believable world in which strength of character is complex and contextual, deftly interweaving realities of racism and misogyny."

    - Publishers Weekly
  • "Miosotis faces many social issues in her young life, including racism, physical abuse, and animal cruelty. . . With such a tight-knit circle of friends and family, Miosotis is bound to be successful. Readers will find a connection with Miosotis and gain insight on how to proceed in difficult social situations. Recommended for realistic fiction collections."

    - School Library Journal

Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781643790657
  • Publication Date Oct 26, 2021
  • Trim Size 7.5 × 5 in
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Page Count 304
  • Word Count 70085
  • Interests

  • Audience Middle Grade
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Social Themes / Physical & Emotional Abuse
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Animals / Dogs
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / People & Places / United States / Hispanic & Latino
  • Themes Animals, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Courage, Empathy / Compassion, Families, Fiction, Friendship, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, LGBTQIA+, Middle Grade, Overcoming Obstacles, Realistic Fiction, Siblings
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 9 - 12
  • Grade Range Grades 4 - 7
  • Guided Reading X
  • ATOS Book Level 4.1
  • DRA 60
  • Lexile Level 640
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

    • 107
      High-Low Books for Teens: Middle and High School
      Collection of 107 books: $1,639.70