On These Magic Shores

By Yamile Saied Méndez
Hardcover: $19.95

Minerva must take care of her sisters after her mother’s disappearance in this magical middle grade story that pairs perfectly with Peter Pan.

Audiobook Edition

Front cover for En estas tierras mágicas by Yamile Saied Méndez; Yamile Saied Méndez
This book is also available in Spanish
En estas tierras mágicas
By Yamile Saied Méndez

Description

Minerva Soledad Miranda is determined to reach her goals, despite shouldering more responsibility than the other kids at school–like caring for her two sisters while her mom works two jobs. But one night, Minerva’s mom doesn’t come home, and Minerva has to figure out what to do. Was Mamá snapped up by immigration enforcement? Will the girls be sent to foster homes or holding centers for migrant kids? Minerva and her sisters can’t let anyone know Mamá has disappeared. They’ll just pretend everything is normal until she comes back.

Minerva’s plan to go it alone falls apart the first afternoon, when her baby sister throws a tantrum during Minerva’s audition for Peter Pan. But as the days pass and Minerva grows ever more worried about her mother, something magical seems to be watching out for them: leaving them cupcakes, helping Minerva find money, even steering them to friends and distant family who can help. Eventually, Minerva must make the hardest choice of her life. And when she does, she’ll be prepared to face life’s challenges–with friendship, hope, and a little bit of fairy magic.

About the Creators

Yamile Saied Méndez

Yamile Saied Méndez is the award-winning author of many books for young readers and adults, including Furia, Where Are You From?, the Horse Country series, and On These Magic Shores, among others. She was born and raised in Rosario, Argentina, but has lived most of her life in a lovely valley surrounded by mountains in Utah. She's a graduate of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA Writing program, and a founding member of Las Musas, a marketing collective of Latine writers. Connect with her at yamilesmendez.com.

Awards

  • New Visions Award Honor

    Lee & Low Books

  • Whitney Award Finalist

    Storymakers Author Guild

  • Rhode Island Children's Book Award Nominee

    Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services

Reviews

  • "Yamile Méndez has woven a magical story about love and determination and the power we all have within. Her beautiful words and Minerva's mighty character, even in the face of unimaginable loss and pain, grasped my heart from the first page. . . Gorgeous and powerful."

    - Kacen Callender, author of National Book Award winner King and the Dragonflies
  • "A beautifully written story about hard times, friendship, and the transcendent magic of family . . . with a bit of fairy dust thrown in. Readers will love Minerva's strength, ambition, and quirky humor, and will cheer for her as she bears huge responsibilities at home, faces challenges at school, and learns how to allow herself to be a kid."

    - Rajani LaRocca, Newbery Honor winning author of Red, White, and Whole
  • "This is such a magical, beautiful book that, after reading it, all I can say is . . . I believe in fairies—special, magical chispitas like Yamile, who make this broken world livable. I do. I do!"

    - Guadalupe García McCall, Pura Belpré Award-Winning Author of Summer of the Mariposas
  • "Méndez tackles problems of racism, discrimination, income inequality, immigration, and ethnic and cultural stereotypes. . . . There is much to like, and readers will find a strong and resilient character they can root for in this story."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "Fast-paced chapters are driven by the mystery of Mamá's whereabouts and the suspense of Minerva's struggle to maintain all of her responsibilities. Distinctive characters will delight readers, who will find themselves laughing at the cleverness of Minerva's little sisters. A strong addition to middle-grade collections, with a unique point of view and memorable characters."

    - Booklist
  • "Mendez manages to successfully weave multiple story lines and characters throughout the novel, and each is satisfactorily resolved at the end. Minerva's predicament will reach many readers grappling with similar insecurities or uncertainties in this timely, emotionally charged story."

    - School Library Journal
  • "Rich and magical."

    - Foreword Reviews

Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781643790312
  • Publication Date Jun 09, 2020
  • Trim Size 7.5 × 5 in
  • Weight 0.875 lbs
  • Page Count 288
  • Word Count 52268
  • Interests

  • Audience Middle Grade
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Social Themes / Homelessness & Poverty
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / People & Places / United States / Hispanic & Latino
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Performing Arts / Theater & Musicals
  • Themes Childhood Experiences and Memories, Courage, Dreams & Aspirations, Families, Fantasy, Fiction, Home, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Imagination, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Middle Grade, Mothers, Overcoming Obstacles, Poverty, Realistic Fiction, Responsibility, Siblings
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 8 - 12
  • Grade Range Grades 3 - 7
  • Guided Reading Y
  • Spanish Guided Reading Z
  • ATOS Book Level 4.8
  • DRA 60
  • Lexile Level 690
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
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