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“A tender coming-of-age story about kindness, courage, and community.”

– Kirkus Reviews

“Mancillas handles the difficult topic of a parent who is incarcerated with care. . .an uplifting exploration of family and friendship, mental health, and finding one’s place.”

– Horn Book

Sing It Like Celia

Written by Mónica Mancillas
Published by Penguin Workshop

Sing It Like Celia is a revelatory story about a Mexican American girl who finds her voice and herself with the help of her role model and icon, Celia Cruz.

Twelve-year-old Salva Sanchez has always been a fan of Celia Cruz, also known as “the queen of salsa.” Her love of Celia stems from her mother, who leaves Salva without explanation one awful day. Now Salva is stuck with her investigative journalist father in an RV campground. In the middle of nowhere.

As Salva acclimates to her new environment and desperately tries to figure out why her mother left, she befriends a posse of campground kids who have started a band. When the kids discover that Salva has an amazing singing voice, they convince her to join their group. Soon, Salva learns how to find her voice—and herself—with the help of her newfound friends, her dad, and the one and only Celia Cruz.

Look for the Spanish version, Cántalo como Celia.

Primary ISBN: 9780593659304
Publication Date: April 2024
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 09 or older

Community Represented:

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

Setting: United States (California)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Immigrant

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

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