When her class is assigned a project where each student must speak on their favorite subject, Stella Diaz, who sometimes lapses into Spanish and pronounces words wrong, must overcome her fear of public speaking. - (Baker & Taylor)
Stella Dâiaz wants to be friends with the new boy in class, but sometimes she accidentally speaks Spanish instead of English and pronounces words wrong, which makes her turn roja. In addition, she has to get over her fear of speaking in front of the class. - (Baker & Taylor)
A sweet middle-grade novel by award-winning illustrator Angela Dominguez about a shy Mexican-American girl who makes a new friend. - (McMillan Palgrave)
In her first middle-grade novel, award-winning picture book author and illustrator Angela Dominguez tells a heartwarming story based on her own experiences growing up Mexican-American.
Stella Díaz loves marine animals, especially her betta fish, Pancho. But Stella Díaz is not a betta fish. Betta fish like to be alone, while Stella loves spending time with her mom and brother and her best friend Jenny. Trouble is, Jenny is in another class this year, and Stella feels very lonely.
When a new boy arrives in Stella's class, she really wants to be his friend, but sometimes Stella accidentally speaks Spanish instead of English and pronounces words wrong, which makes her turn roja. Plus, she has to speak in front of her whole class for a big presentation at school! But she better get over her fears soon, because Stella Díaz has something to say!
Stella Díaz Has Something to Say introduces an infectiously charming new character with relatable writing and adorable black-and-white art throughout. Simple Spanish vocabulary is also integrated within the text, providing a bilingual element.
2019 Sid Fleischman Award winner
A 2019 Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Notable Children's Book
A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids 2018
Top 10 Showstopper Favorite
One of Chicago Public Library's "Best of the Best Books 2018"
- (
McMillan Palgrave)
Angela Dominguez was born in Mexico City, grew up in the great state of Texas, and now resides on the east coast. She is the author and illustrator of several books for children including Maria Had a Little Llama, which received the American Library Association Pura Belpré Illustration Honor. Recently, she received her second Pura Belpré Honor for her illustrations in Mango, Abuela, and Me written by Meg Medina. When Angela is not in her studio, she teaches at the Academy of Art University, which honored her with their Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013. She also enjoys presenting at different schools and libraries to all sorts of ages. Angela is a proud member of SCBWI, PEN America, and represented by Wernick and Pratt Literary Agency. As a child, she loved reading books and making a mess creating pictures. She's delighted to still be doing both. - (McMillan Palgrave)
Booklist Reviews
Stella is shy and has trouble speaking up when she wants to say something, largely because she jumbles languages and can't find the right words. When her teacher assigns a project and an accompanying presentation, she starts to dread having to speak in front of her class, even if it'll be about a subject she loves (marine life!). To make matters worse, she wants to befriend a new boy in her class, but she can't work up the nerve to have a conversation with him. Things come together for her with help from her goofy older brother, encouraging mother, and her best friend. Stella shows everyone that she's stronger than she looks, just like a starfish. Simple black-and-white cartoons sprinkled throughout the text break up the story just right, as Stella works up the courage to finally speak up. Based significantly on her childhood, Dominguez's novel introduces a character many readers can relate to, especially bilingual kids or English-language learners who struggle with expressing themselves. An excellent, empowering addition to middle-grade collections. Copyright 2017 Booklist Reviews.