Saving Chupie: A Graphic Novel
Written by Amparo Ortiz
Illustrated by Ronnie Vazquez
Published by HarperAlley
Violeta Rubio only has one goal in mind for her first-ever trip to Puerto Rico: help Abuelita reopen her beloved restaurant. The only problem is that Violeta’s whole family thinks they can do it without her. Now Violeta doesn’t have anyone to hang out with or anything to do. But when best friend duo Diego and Lorena need help capturing the rumored chupacabra, Violeta sees her chance to change all that.
What she isn’t expecting is to run straight into the beast. Only…he isn’t as monstrous as everyone assumes. Sure, he’s got some scales and spikes, big red eyes, and pointy fangs—but he’s totally puppy and loyal to a fault. Violeta must find a way to keep Chupie hidden and convince her newfound friends that he isn’t anything to be scared of.
And if that isn’t hard enough, a new threat lurks around the corner that is dead set on capturing Chupie for their own nefarious means. Will Violeta be able to save Chupie from the danger that surrounds them without sacrificing everything else in the process?
Saving Chupie captures the resilience of a young girl, a family, and an island in the face of nearly impossible odds and proves that love and friendship conquer all in this timely new adventure inspired by Puerto Rican culture and lore.
Primary ISBN:
Publication Date: August 2023
Available As: Paperback, eBook
Middle Grade, Graphic Novel, Age 08 or older
Community Represented: Puerto Rican
Themes: Animals, Community Action, Cross-Group Friendship, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Food, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Discrimination: Economic, Family Relationship: Grandparents, Family Relationship: Parents, Format: Graphic Novel, Generation: 1st, Genre: Action Adventure, Genre: Fantasy & Folklore, Identity: Multilingual, Identity: Multiracial, Natural Disaster/Climate Change, Neighbors & Neighborhoods, Outdoor Exploration, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Setting: Home Country
Setting: Puerto Rico
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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