November YA Pick

November's Ya/Upper El Pick is, of course, Confetti Girl, by Diana Lopez.  The "of course" is because it takes place in Lone Star Ma's home town of Corpus Christi, Texas, with many delightful references to local schools and landmarks, and because the main character, Apolonia "Lina" Flores, attends Baker Middle School, where the Lone Star Girl goes to school.  Kind of exciting.

This is the sweet story of a middle schooler who loves socks, volleyball and science and who struggles with the loss of her mother and the way that grief has stolen her weird English teacher father, and with the typical challenges of friendships when boys start to be relevant.  It's got cascarones in it ... need I say more? 

The Lone Star Girl's Baker friends say that this story is not an accurate portrayal of life at Baker Middle School.  They mean that it is too sweet and innocent and does not involve enough (or any) profanity.  That's what endears it to adults, I expect, and what makes it an appropriate read for the upper elementary set as well as teens, but I know what they mean.  It's still a very nice book, though.  The sweetness of it reminds me a little bit of The Tequila Worm by  Viola Canales, but it is younger and less serious.  I highly recommend this book, not just if you live in Corpus Christi, but especially if you do.