AWARDS: SUMMER OF THE MARIPOSAS
AWARDS:
Westchester Young Adult Fiction Award – Westchester Fiction Award Committee
Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy Finalist – Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
2013 Amelia Bloomer Project List – Feminist Task Force of the Social Responsibilities Round Table of the (ALA)
Best Children’s Books of the Year Outstanding Merit – Bank Street College Children’s Book Committee
2014 Texas Lone Star Reading List – TLA Young Adult Round Table
Best Books of the Year – School Library Journal
REVIEWS:
Written in the style of magic realism, this is an enchanting look at Mexican mysticism, coupled with the realistic celebration of the true meaning of family. The sisters’ relationships are believably drawn, and the juxtaposition of modern realities and ancient Aztec mythology elucidates the importance of the spiritual side of life in Latin cultures. . . [Readers] are sure to be intrigued by both the unusual qualities of the mythical characters and the sense of adventure that lies behind every twist and turn of the girls’ revelatory journey. As with McCall’s Under the Mesquite (Lee & Low, 2011), this is a peek into Mexican American culture, but its ties to the supernatural add an interesting dimension.–School Library Journal, Starred Review
Just as compelling as the vivid fantasy is the realism, especially the standoffs and reconciliations among the caring sisters, and the final shocking truth about their father and themselves is far from a sweet resolution. Readers will be drawn by the contemporary family drama and the magic, and they’ll appreciate the author’s note that discusses the story’s roots in Mexican folklore and The Odyssey.–Booklist
“The Odyssey”-meets-five Mexican-American sisters and a dead guy. OK, that tagline doesn’t do it justice! The supernatural parts come from Mexican folklore and mythology — like a sorceress who is a shape-shifting donkey (nagual) and vampiric chupacabras. But the core of the story is the bonds of sisterly love and family that are absolutely universal.–Ellen Oh, MTV
