Warrior Girl -- Carmen Tafolla, Hardcover

An insightful novel in verse about the joys and struggles of a Chicana girl who is a warrior for her name, her history, and her right to choose what she celebrates in life.

Celina and her family are bilingual and follow both Mexican and American traditions. Celina revels in her Mexican heritage, but once she starts school it feels like the world wants her to erase that part of her identity. Fortunately, she's got an army of family and three fabulous new friends behind her to fight the ignorance. But it's her Gramma who's her biggest inspiration, encouraging Celina to build a shield of joy around herself. Because when you're celebrating, when you find a reason to sing or dance or paint or play or laugh or write, they haven't taken everything away from you. Of course, it's not possible to stay in celebration mode when things get dire--like when her dad's deported and a pandemic hits--but if there is anything Celina's sure of, it's that she'll always live up to her last name: Guerrera--woman warrior--and that she will use her voice and writing talents to make the world a more beautiful place where all cultures are celebrated.

Author: Carmen Tafolla
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Published: 09/05/2023
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.35h x 5.51w x 0.94d
ISBN: 9780593354711
Age Range: 10-UP

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2023
Publishers Weekly 07/24/2023
School Library Journal 09/01/2023 pg. 104
Booklist 09/01/2023 pg. 90
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 09/01/2023

About the Author
Dr. Carmen Tafolla (carmentafolla.net) was named State Poet Laureate of Texas in 2015, and is currently the President of the Texas Institute of Letters. An award-winning poet and children's author, storyteller, performance artist, motivational speaker, scholar, and university professor, she is the author of more than thirty books and a Professor of Transformative Children's Literature at UT San Antonio. In 1973, she became Director of the Mexican-American Studies Center at Texas Lutheran College, formed part of the Chicano Literary Movement of the 70s and 80s, and in 1978, was head writer for Sonrisas, a bilingual children's television series. She has received numerous distinctions, including the prestigious Americas Award in 2010; first Poet Laureate of the City of San Antonio 2012-2014; five International Latino Book Awards; two Tomas Rivera Book Awards; two ALA Notable Books; the Art of Peace Award; and the Texas 2 by 2 Award. She lives in San Antonio, Texas.