Mami Would You Help Me Find My Voice

“Mami, would you help me find my voice?” asked Alejandro in his best, made up, gravelly, scratchy voice. “Your voice?” his Mami asked. “What happened to your voice?” “Well, I sorta, kinda lost it in space,” said Alejandro... Mami, Would You Help Me Find My Voice? is the epic adventure of Alejandro, his best friend Tyler, and Coco, his favourite stuffed monkey. Alejandro gives his Mami a descriptive narrative of their journey through space including a flying Bugatti, Mercury and Mars, and...is that a cow? Through the storytelling process, Alejandro finds his voice on his own. He just needed his Mami to listen. Children have incredible imaginations and likewise have an insatiable need to have their voices heard. Four- to six-year-olds will directly relate to the themes of children’s needs for attention, for acceptance, and for the nurturing of their imaginations.

A heartwarming and authentic immigration story about a stray dog, the power of music, and celebrating old traditions along with new beginnings, by Pura Belpré Award-winning author Yamile Saied Méndez. María Emilia's life turns upside-down when she and her family immigrate from Argentina to the US. How can she make new friends when simply speaking English all day is exhausting? Luckily, she has the company of a stray dog in the neighborhood, who happens to look and act just like her beloved pet cat back home. Eventually, it turns out the pup isn't a stray after all -- she belongs to María Emilia's new neighbor, Donovan. In order to spend more time with the dog (who totally isn't her reincarnated cat... right?), she agrees to sing in Donovan's band. But can Emilia find her new voice without losing herself?

Was I chasing something! Or was I running? Never understanding the fears, voices, visions, or even my nightmares. I thought I was a sane, normal human being living a good life. Having my only worries of not achieving love, except that of my children's. The stories my siblings told as we became adults. Who were they talking about? Neglect, abuse? That was not me! No hint of what they told felt real. I went home every time to cry, never understanding why I could not remember! Making excuses to stay away from them all as much as possible. Until my accident. My head! What is happening to me? I cannot collect my thoughts, stop the flashes. A young child abused, beaten, neglected--who could she be? I needed help! She let me listen as I woke from a lull of sleep. Horrid secrets of a childhood. "That can't be my voice! This cannot be true!" I screamed at her. "How could I forget such tragedy? What could be wrong with me?" I cried. Did she really do this all for fun? Was it all entertaining for her? What will I find out next? What else could she have done to me? To us all?

From Courtney Alameda, the author of Shutter, this thrilling, sci-fi horror and space adventure will be sure to stay with readers long after the last pages. Lost to time, Tuck Morgan and his crew have slept in stasis aboard the USS John Muir for centuries. Their ship harbors a chunk of Earth, which unbeknownst to them, is the last hope for the failing human race. Laura Cruz is a shipraider searching the galaxy for the history that was scattered to the stars. Once her family locates the John Muir and its precious cargo, they are certain human civilization is saved. When Tuck's and Laura’s worlds collide—literally—the two teens must outwit their enemies, evade brutal monsters that kill with sound, and work together to save the John Muir . . . and the whole human race.

The entire Twisted Luck series in one place, with two novellas included. My Luck - Cori Munroe is a young woman with a BFF, estranged parents, and the weirdest luck you've ever seen. Hired Luck - Cori is in a new city, with a new job, and a new dead body. That she can deal with, but finding out she's a mage? Educated Luck - School is mandatory for mages, but why is there a bounty on Cori's head? No Luck - Charles has never been the popular one, but it doesn't mean he's unable to protect himself. Inherited Luck - The first part of schooling is done and Cori inherits a house with a definite personality. Drafted Luck - Government is rarely intelligent with where they put people, but did it have to involve dragons? Faded Luck - The things you do for the people you love, but being pregnant might be more than she bargained for. Unbalanced Luck - The herald of magic is supposed to fix everything, but all Cori knows it's getting worse and she still has no idea. Balanced Luck - Cori can't save everyone, but she is willing to die trying.

Osvaldito’s life begins with a heartbreaking split when his father is not allowed to leave Cuba with his mother and him due to his status as a political prisoner. Later, abuse, the fear of being different, the discovery of his own homosexuality, the devastation of AIDS, and difficult family relationships mark the milestones of his journey. His dogs, his four-legged companions, always occupy a prominent place in the house of La Campina, the kingdom and refuge of the adult Osvaldito. To Kill a Cockroach is a poignant story that chronicles the experiences of Osvaldito, a Cuban-American artist and writer, traveling from his native Cuba through to his childhood and adulthood experiences in Miami, Florida. Osvaldito provides a unique perspective of the immigrant experience, as he narrates a childhood rife with challenges and loss, uncertainty and abandonment. His life journey teaches us the art of finding boundless joy in a world of relentless pain. Osvaldito’s love and longing for his mother, a “Cuban goddess,” is one of the guiding themes of this book, but so is his love of living creatures, especially dogs, and how such love saves in difficult times. Last but not least, this tale is a testament to the power of art and literature and of finding salvation and self-love through the transcendence of artistic beauty.

Anita de la Torre never questioned her freedom living in the Dominican Republic. But by her 12th birthday in 1960, most of her relatives have emigrated to the United States, her Tío Toni has disappeared without a trace, and the government’s secret police terrorize her remaining family because of their suspected opposition of el Trujillo’s dictatorship. Using the strength and courage of her family, Anita must overcome her fears and fly to freedom, leaving all that she once knew behind. From renowned author Julia Alvarez comes an unforgettable story about adolescence, perseverance, and one girl’s struggle to be free.