Review: The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn-Johnson

June 29th, 2014

The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn-Johnson

Where are the Latinos in fiction? We sit down with @LatinosInKidLit to find out!

Like February, we don't particularly highlight specific months for promoting diversity in books. Non-Latino Blacks, and Latinos(of all races) definitely get the shorter end of the stick when it comes to the months encouraged to educate others of our history. African-American/Black History happens to be the shortest month of the year. National Hispanic Heritage Month gets smacked into two months, which we feel totally throws people off.

Being Afro-Latino, growing up, not only did we never read or learn anything that we didn't already know from elementary to high school, there weren't as many books or resources that catered to that demographic. 

It's a bit disappointing that children who identify as Latino have so little resources to find main characters in books that they can identity with in books. We do try to highlight and find out about more latino authors, but the truth is, we could be doing more.

That's why Latin@s in KidLit is so awesome. They are composed of several authors, all of whom contribute regularly to the website. They range from Fantasy, contemporary fiction, graphic novels, and so much more!

We had the pleasure to get a hold of four of Latin@s in KidLit contributors. To make things easier, each author is highlighted in a different color. Zoraida Cordova's correspondence will be in orange-red, Lila Q.Weaver's correspondence is in coral, Sujei Lugo's correspondence is in fire engine red, and Cindy L. Rodriguez is in brick. Our as always is in oxblood! Now...Without further ado!

"The Vast and Brutal Sea" Book Tour: Interview with Author Zoraida Cordova + Stellar Giveaway!!!

So summer's almost here and my sister and I have this sudden urge to pick up more mermaid books!!!Just in time for Zoraida Cordova's "The Vast and Brutal Sea"Book Tour. How this amazing"Ecuatoriana", has the time to write, update her own blog and contribute to one of our favorite blogs, Latinos in Kid Lit, we'll never know. But we had a chance to sit back and chillax with her. We don't really say this often, but we loooove hosting Latina authors. Being Latina ourselves, it's just awesome to see a Latina author really doing her thing!

Cover Reveal: Daughter of Zeus by Red Harvey + Starbucks giveaway!

So we don't do many cover reveals, but I was really excited about this book, so I(Guinevere) decided that if Im going to do one, I might as well let my first one of the year be this one!

I've gotten the opportunity to read a book from Red Harvey in the past, and I thought she was a really great sport. She was very patient, and I know everyone wants their books read when they send them, but sometimes life just gets in the way, and patience usually wins me over more than email after email asking did I get a chance to read a book yet.

Im really excited about Red Harvey's "Daughter of Zeus." Why you might ask? Because not only is it Young Adult and fantasy driven(two of my favorite things), the main protagonist is Latina! I think it goes without saying Latinos/as usually get the short end of the stick in fantasy, and sci fi. Im not sure why, but the exclusion is often overwhelming. So it's a pleasure to see authors whom are not only Latina, but writing Latina characters. Because why shouldn't everyone get to be a leading lady or man?

Still not convinced? Why don't you check out this awesome cover and blurb?!?

La Bloga: La Bloga's Latino Speculative Literature Directory...

La Bloga: La Bloga's Latino Speculative Literature Directory...: Speculative literature: science fiction, fantasy, horror, magic(al) realism, fabulist fiction, a lo menos. Latino spec lit: mucho ...