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2019 Sid Fleischman Award winner

2019 ALSC Notable Children’s Book

“Speaking up is hard when you’re shy, and it can be even harder if you’ve got two languages in your head…Stella often confuses the pronunciation between English and Spanish sounds and takes speech classes. As an immigrant with a green card—a “legal alien,” according to her teacher—Stella feels that she doesn’t fully belong to either American culture or Mexican culture, and this is nicely reflected in her not being fully comfortable in either language, an experience familiar to many immigrant and first-generation children…A nice and timely depiction of an immigrant child experience.”

– Kirkus Reviews

“When Stella was a baby, her family moved from Mexico City to Arlington Heights, near Chicago, where Stella still lives with her divorced mother and supportive older brother. Stella struggles to pronounce English words and regularly attends speech therapy at school. She’s not confident in her Spanish skills either; she never has the right words when her Mexican relatives visit. When Stella learns that she’s an “alien” because she only has a green card, she wonders, “If I become a citizen, will I finally feel normal?” With the help of her family and friends, Stella learns to shine like the star she’s named after as she deals with the class bully, survives her first spelling bee, and proudly aces her oral presentation.”

– School Library Journal, Starred Review

Stella Díaz Has Something to Say (Stella Díaz #1)

Written by Angela Dominguez
Illustrated by Angela Dominguez
Published by Roaring Brook Press

Angela Dominguez tells a heartwarming story based on her own experiences growing up Mexican-American.

Stella Díaz loves marine animals, especially her betta fish, Pancho. But Stella Díaz is not a betta fish. Betta fish like to be alone, while Stella loves spending time with her mom and brother and her best friend Jenny. Trouble is, Jenny is in another class this year, and Stella feels very lonely.

When a new boy arrives in Stella’s class, she really wants to be his friend, but sometimes Stella accidentally speaks Spanish instead of English and pronounces words wrong, which makes her turn roja. Plus, she has to speak in front of her whole class for a big presentation at school! But she better get over her fears soon, because Stella Díaz has something to say!

Stella Díaz Has Something to Say introduces an infectiously charming new character with relatable writing and adorable black-and-white art throughout.

Don’t miss the rest of the series! Explore:

Primary ISBN: 9781626728585
Publication Date: January 2018
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Chapter Book, Age 06 or older

Community Represented:

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

Setting: United States (Chicago IL)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Immigrant

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

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Engagement Materials:

Activity Kit

Source: Roaring Brook Press