Speak Up, Santiago!

    (Random, 2025)

Welcome to Hillside Valley! 12 year-old New York City kid Santi is heading upstate, in the debut of this irresistible contemporary graphic novel series about friends, family, community and identity. Santi is excited to spend the summer in Hillside Valley, meeting the local kids, eating his Abuela’s delicious food, exploring! There’s just one problem—Santi doesn’t speak Spanish that well and it feels like everyone he meets in Hillside does. There’s Sol (she’s a soccer player who really loves books), Willie, (the artist), Alejandro (Santi’s unofficial tour guide!), and Nico (Alejandro’s brother and blue belt in karate). In between all of their adventures in Hillside, Santi can’t help but worry about his Spanish—what if he can’t keep up?! Does that mean he’s not Colombian enough? Will Santi find his confidence and his voice? Or will his worries cost him his new friendships... and the chance to play in HIlliside’s summer soccer tournament?!
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