El Niño
Written by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Illustrated by Joe Cepeda
Published by Scholastic Press
During a summer of El Niño weather conditions, Kai Sosa hopes to prove his swimming prowess on an elite invitational team. Once an up-and-coming athlete, he is determined to live up to his family’s swimming legacy in a competition against the infamous Sea Wolves, even if he is the team’s weakest link. But recently, he’s been haunted by puzzling dreams where he sees his dead sister, Cali, swimming in the Pacific Ocean with dolphins. When he wakes, it’s hard to hold back the dam of feeling he’s been working so hard to contain. He becomes convinced Cali’s sending him a message about her last request—to find a beloved gold cuff that went missing.
Look for the Spanish version, El Niño (Spanish Edition).
Primary ISBN: 9781338068559
Publication Date: May 2025
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older
Community Represented: Mexican/Mexican American
Themes: Accolades & Awards, Accolades & Awards: Starred Review, Coming of Age, Family Relationship: Parents, Family Relationship: Siblings, Format: Audiobook, Mental Health, Natural Disaster/Climate Change, Outdoor Exploration, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Trauma & Healing, Trauma & Healing: Death of Family or Friend
Setting: United States (San Diego CA)
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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Source: Scholastic