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“Educators seeking firsthand accounts of 9/11 will want to share this with their students, while ­middle graders looking for an engrossing graphic novel in the vein of Raina ­Telgemeier’s or Shannon Hale’s work will be pleased.”

—School Library Journal

“An authentic and moving time capsule of middle school angst, trauma, and joy.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Combining eye-catching layouts with frank vulnerability… Bermudez puts her whole heart on the page, and the love she holds for her younger self can be deeply felt in every entry.”

—Publisher’s Weekly

Big Apple Diaries

Written by Alyssa Bermudez
Illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez
Published by Roaring Brook Press

It’s the year 2000 in New York City. For 12-year old Alyssa, a biracial Puerto Rican girl, this means all kinds of new challenges: splitting time between her dad’s apartment in Manhattan and her mom’s new place in Queens, navigating the ups and downs of middle school, harboring an epic crush on a new classmate, and figuring out how to be a “real” Puerto Rican. The only way to make sense of it all is to write and draw her thoughts and worries into her diary.

But, when a terrible tragedy strikes, Alyssa must find hope and strength within herself.

Fortunately, Alyssa’s family and friends are safe, and through the shared love and support of her people and community, Alyssa discovers she can overcome anything… even middle school.

This honest, moving graphic memoir is based on Alyssa Bermudez’s own middle school diaries before and after September 11, 2001.

 

Primary ISBN: 9781250774279
Publication Date: August 2021
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Middle Grade, Graphic Novel, Age 08 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (New York City NY)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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