A moving coming-of-age novel about one girl's struggles after her parents lose their home, and her journey to find hope in family and friendship, from Jennifer Torres, the author of *Stef Soto, Taco Queen.__
*Griselda "Geez" Zaragoza has a love for beautiful things, like her collection of vintage teacups and the flower garden she and her dad planted in the front yard. But when his business fails, Griselda loses not just her home, but also her confidence and her trust in her unflappable parents.
Tagging along with big sister Maribel, who postponed college for a job selling Alma Cosmetics, Geez dreams up a way to reclaim the life she thinks she lost. If she can sell enough tubes of glistening, glittery Alma lip gloss, she'll win a cash prize that could help jump start her dad's business.
With ups and downs along the way, Geez will discover that beauty isn't just lost or found, but made and re-made. ******
Review
Praise for The Fresh New Face of Griselda :
"Fans of Kelly Yang's Front Desk (2018) will enjoy Geez' entrepreneurial spirit and appreciate another strong-minded young woman of color seeking ways to relieve her family's financial burden. An enjoyable story about the ingenuity and bonds that help a family withstand tough times."β *** Kirkus Reviews* **
"A warm family story."β *** Booklist* **
Praise for Flor and Miranda Steal the Show : "[A] lively, fast-paced adventure."β *** Publishers Weekly* **
"Readers will enjoy getting to know both protagonists and will root for them till the last page."β *** Booklist* **
"A wide range of middle grade readers are likely to see aspects of themselves in both Flor and Miranda."β *** School Library Journal* **
"Fans of Torres' Stef Soto, Taco Queen will delight in this pleasing mix of friendship story, Latino culture, and carnival milieu."β *** BCCB* **
"Readers cannot help but root for both heroines, who feel like two regular girls with universal struggles despite their uncommon circumstances. Feelings of summer fun and smells of funnel cake with follow readers home from this engaging story of family and friendship."β *** Kirkus Reviews* **
Praise for Stef Soto, Taco Queen : "The core of the story--friendship and the importance of family--wins out, leaving tweens with a satisfying, gentle read."β *** School Library Journal* **
"[A] well written novel about family and pride and would be a great addition to the library."β *** School Library Connection* **
"[An] engaging glimpse of food-truck culture through the Soto family's sacrifices, values, and hardships. Once readers get past the drama, they'll cheer for Stef Soto, her family, and Tia Perla."β *** Kirkus Reviews* **
About the Author
Jennifer Torres is an award-winning writer and the author of The Fresh New Face of Griselda , Flor and Miranda Steal the Show , Stef Soto, Taco Queen , and Finding the Music/En pos de la mΓΊsica. A former journalist, her work is inspired by her Mexican-American heritage. She lives with her family in Southern California. Visit her online at www.jenntorres.com.