Cruzita and the Mariacheros - by Ashley Granillo (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Cruzita must save her family's failing panaderia by winning a mariachi band contest--the only problem is she hates mariachi and cannot speak Spanish"--

Book Synopsis

Cruzita is going to be a pop star. All she has to do is win a singing contest at her favorite theme park and get famous. But she can't go to the theme park this summer. Instead, she has to help out at her family's bakery, which has been struggling ever since Tío Chuy died. Cruzita's great-uncle poured his heart into the bakery--the family legacy--and now that he's gone, nothing is the same.

When Cruzita's not rolling uneven tortillas or trying to salvage rock-hard conchas, she has to take mariachi lessons, even though she doesn't know how to play her great-grandpa's violin and she's not fluent in Spanish. At first, she's convinced her whole summer will be a disaster. But as she discovers the heart and soul of mariachi music, she realizes that there's more than one way to be a star―and more than one way to carry on a legacy.

Review Quotes

"Cruz's inner conflict and search for identity are sensitively drawn, and Granillo weaves a believable sense of community pride into the heartfelt and enjoyable story."--Horn Book Magazine

-- (5/1/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Mariachi, family, and pan dulce are the ingredients for this perfect middle grade novel. Highly recommended for all middle grade collections."--starred, School Library Journal

-- (4/1/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"This excellent debut has heart and soul, with an obvious deep love and appreciation for the culture in each word."--Booklist

-- (2/13/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Granillo gently tempers the Tayahuas' grief over Tio Chuy's death by focusing on the characters' lighthearted developing relationships and relates the feeling of being disconnected from one's heritage via Cruzita's learning more about her roots."--Publishers Weekly

-- (2/5/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Many readers will resonate with the demands on her time, and the children and grandchildren of immigrants will likely identify especially strongly with Cruzita's journey toward connecting with her roots. A sweet summer quest for identity and belonging."--Kirkus Reviews

-- (1/29/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Gritos for Cruzita! Granillo deftly captures the atmosphere of a classic panaderia and the spirit of mariachi. Strong themes of friendship and family create harmonies to make these pages sing!"-- Rebecca Balcárcel, author of The Other Half of Happy and Shine On, Luz Véliz!

-- (9/5/2023 12:00:00 AM)

"A delightful melody of hope and joy, grief and healing."--Michelle Mohrweis, author of The Trouble with Robots

-- (9/5/2023 12:00:00 AM)

"A love letter to the power of family, friendship, Mexican pastries, and mariachi."--Sylvia Liu, award-winning author of Hana Hsu and the Ghost Crab Nation

-- (9/5/2023 12:00:00 AM)

"A must-read middle grade book full of heart, music, and mouthwatering Mexican pastries."--Tanya Guerrero, award-winning author of All You Knead Is Love and Adrift

-- (9/5/2023 12:00:00 AM)

"A sweet, upbeat tale about family, friendship, and the journey to being authentically you. You'll want to croon along with Cruzita, sink your teeth into conchas from Lupe's, and turn the pages to a bidi bidi bom bom beat!"--Tracy Badua, author of The Takeout

-- (9/5/2023 12:00:00 AM)

"A voice that sparkles!"--Jennifer Torres, author of Stef Soto, Taco Queen and The Do-Over

-- (9/5/2023 12:00:00 AM)