Book review - Stella Diaz to the Rescue

 

Title: Stella Diaz to the Rescue

Author: Angela Dominguez

Genre: realistic fiction

Similar books: Alley & Rex by Joel N. Ross

                     Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson

Rating: 

 

nicely done

Summary (provided by publisher): It’s a new calendar year, and Stella is determined to make it her best one yet.
Not only are Stella and her family finally becoming U.S. citizens, but the Sea Musketeers are also presenting their plastics pledge to the school council. With her trusty schedule in hand, Stella is ready for anything!
But after life takes unexpected turns, Stella will have to fight to keep her perfect year on track.
Not to worry, because Stella Diaz is to the rescue! Right?

My opinion: There are some interesting elements at play here. At heart, it is a fairly standard elementary school narrative. We have the desire to belong; wanting to help others; jealousy about friends and power. It's the details that make the difference. It's Stella and her family becoming citizens and considering their relationship to their culture. And I like how Stella is a bit of a rigid character. She has these ideas about how things ill go, specific plans for helping and fixing everything. She has to learn to relax a little and adjust when things don't go according to plan. She also learns to listen, to be an ally instead of a savior. The ideas are addressed in a fairly straightforward way but that's appropriate for this age range.