Children/Teen Books for Silicon Valley Reads 2018
About the Book
Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina (Pre-K - 3rd grade)
Mia's abuela has left her sunny house with parrots and palm trees to live with Mia and her parents in the city. The night she arrives, Mia tries to share her favorite book with Abuela before they go to sleep and discovers that Abuela can't read the words inside. So while they cook, Mia helps Abuela learn English ("Dough. Masa"), and Mia learns some Spanish too, but it's still hard for Abuela to learn the words she needs to tell Mia all her stories. Then Mia sees a parrot in the pet-shop window and has the perfecto idea for how to help them all communicate a little better. A 2016 Pura Belpré Author Award Honor Book. A 2016 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Honor Book.
About the Author
Meg Medina
Meg Medina is an award-winning Cuban American author who writes picture books, middle grade and YA fiction. In 2014 she was recognized as a "Latino Stories Top 10 Latino Authors To Watch" and as one of the "CNN 10 Visionary Women in America." Learn more about her at
megmedina.com.
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About the Book
The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones by Wendelin Van Draanen (Grades 4-7)
Lincoln Jones has a life so secret, only his mother knows where he's from, why they left, or the place he's living now. More importantly, none of the kids in his new 6th grade class know where he goes after school. After all, if they think his "Southern drawl" is funny, imagine what they'd do knowing he hangs out at a dementia-care facility where his mother works as a caregiver. To escape the real world, Lincoln writes stories in a notebook. Stories about young heroes with courage and power. Underdogs who somehow come out on top. This is a story of a boy who's closed the world out for so long, he's not sure how to let anyone in. Winner of the Bank Street College of Education's 2017 Josette Frank Award.
About the Author
Wendelin Van Draanen
Wendelin Van Draanen has written more than 30 novels for young readers and teens, several of which have won awards. Learn more about her at
wendelinvand.com.
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About the Book
Not If I See You First by Eric Lindstrom (for Teens)
Parker Grant doesn't need 20/20 vision to see right through you. That's why she created the Rules: Don't treat her any differently just because she's blind, and never take advantage. There will be no second chances. Just ask Scott Kilpatrick, the boy who broke her heart. When Scott suddenly reappears in her life after being gone for years, Parker knows there's only one way to react--shun him so hard it hurts. She has enough on her mind already, like trying out for the track team (that's right, her eyes don't work but her legs still do), doling out tough-love advice to her painfully naive classmates, and giving herself gold stars for every day she hasn't cried since her dad's death three months ago. But avoiding her past quickly proves impossible, and the more Parker learns about what really happened--both with Scott, and her dad--the more she starts to question if things are always as they seem. Maybe, just maybe, some Rules are meant to be broken.
About the Author
Eric Lindstrom
Eric Lindstrom has worked in the interactive entertainment industry for years as a creative director, game designer, writer, and combinations of all three. He has written two Young Adult novels. Learn more about him at
ericlindstrombooks.com.
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