Young Adult
Camila Hassan is a girl struggling to hold herself to her mother’s high standards at home and play her best on the fútbol field without her family knowing about her sport. Set in Argentina, Furia provides readers with secrets, romance, and a coming-of-age story for young adult readers and will be featured at this year’s festival.
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Clap When You Land is the story of two sisters, one in New York and the other in the Dominican Republic, who find each other after their father dies tragically in a plane crash. Elizabeth Acevedo’s book will be featured in the festival this fall, and TBF will be welcoming Acevedo as a keynote speaker at the Texas Teen Book Festival on Saturday, October 31. RSVP here.
Natalia Sylvester is another author attending the 2020 Texas Book Festival to discuss her YA debut Running (RSVP here). Her book follows Cuban American teenager Mariana Ruiz as surprising information about her father is revealed in his campaign to become president.
They Call Me Güero by David Bowles
Texas author David Bowles’ book of poetry shares twelve-year-old Güero’s experience as a Mexican American border kid trying to navigate middle school. These poems follow Güero as he creates trouble with his misfit friends, becomes interested in girls, and spends time with his family. Bowles will also be featured at TBF 2020 to present his book Rise of the Halfling King (Tales of the Feathered Serpent #1). RSVP here!
Love Sugar Magic by Anna Meriano
Released this February, Anna Meriano’s third book of the Love Sugar Magic series titled A Mixture of Mischief takes a turn when Leo Logroño’s long-lost abuelo becomes part of her life. With Abuelo Logroño’s return, he begins to teach Leo more about the magic of the brujas as her family’s bakery Amor y Azúcar is under threat of its new neighbor, the Honeybee bakery. RSVP here to see Meriano at this year’s TBF!
Children
¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat by Raúl the Third
Texas Book Festival author Raúl the Third’s latest ¡Vamos! book offers readers descriptions of Little Lobo’s favorite street food eats along with some Spanish vocabulary. RSVP for his TBF session here!
Federico and the Wolf by Rebecca J. Gomez
Rebecca J. Gomez is another author attending the 2020 festival. Federico and the Wolf is a Mexican American retelling of the story of Little Red Riding Hood, and it even includes Federico’s celebratory salsa recipe for readers to recreate. RSVP for Gomez’s TBF session here!
My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and Zeke Peña
My Papi Has a Motorcycle takes readers on a ride with Daisy Ramona and her papi through their neighborhood. This award-winning author and illustrator duo captures the love a daughter has for her father and for the community she has come to know. Isabel Quintero and Zeke Peña will be attending the 2020 Texas Book Festival – RSVP for their session here.
Accordionly: Abuelo & Opa Make Music by Michael Genhart
When a young grandson’s Opa and Abuelo visit him at the same time, he comes up with a creative way to connect the two grandfathers who don’t speak the same language. Accordionly takes inspiration the family of author Michael Genhart, who is also a TBF author. RSVP for his session here!
When Julia Danced Bomba by Raquel M. Ortiz
When Julia Danced Bomba is the story of a girl who learned the Afro-Latino dance bomba by letting go of her control and listening to the music. Rachel M. Ortiz’s bilingual picture book connects readers to her Puerto Rican heritage and reminds them to enjoy themselves while learning new skills.
Octopus Stew by Eric Velasquez
Inspired by the author’s childhood memories, Octopus Stew follows young Ramsey as he tries to save his grandmother from the monstrous octopus they are trying to cook for dinner. Eric Velasquez’s book has two alternate versions of events and includes his family’s recipe for octopus stew, so readers can join in the adventure.
My Shoes and I by Rene Colato Lainez
Just before leaving for his journey from El Salvador to the United States, Mario’s mother sends him a pair of new shoes to carry him to her. The bilingual picture book My Shoes and I tells the story of a young boy and his father crossing over three borders, mountains, and rivers to reunite their family.
In her picture book memoir, Yuyi Morales tells of her migration to the United States and the meaning of the items she brought with her. Dreamers is about the author’s own dreams and the dreams of others who have left home to follow them.
