Winner of the Pura Belpre Award! "We need books to break open our hearts, so that we might feel more deeply, so that we might be more human in these unkind times. This is a book doing work of the spirit in a time of darkness." -Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street Efren Nava's Ama is his Superwoman-or Soperwoman, named after the delicious Mexican sopes his mother often prepares. Both Ama and Apa work hard all day to provide for the family, making sure Efren and his younger siblings Max and Mia feel safe and loved. But Efren worries about his parents; although he's American-born, his parents are undocumented. His worst nightmare comes true one day when Ama doesn't return from work and is deported across the border to Tijuana, Mexico. Now more than ever, Efren must channel his inner Soperboy to help take care of and try to reunite his family. A glossary of Spanish words is included in the back of the book.

"We need books to break open our hearts, so that we might feel more deeply, so that we might be more human in these unkind times. This is a book doing work of the spirit in a time of darkness." --Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street Efren Nava's Ama is his Superwoman--or Soperwoman, named after the delicious Mexican sopes his mother often prepares. Both Ama and Apa work hard all day to provide for the family, making sure Efren and his younger siblings Max and Mia feel safe and loved. But Efren worries about his parents; although he's American-born, his parents are undocumented. His worst nightmare comes true one day when Ama doesn't return from work and is deported across the border to Tijuana, Mexico. Now more than ever, Efren must channel his inner Soperboy to help take care of and try to reunite his family. A glossary of Spanish words is included in the back of the book.

Ernesto Cisneros, Pura Belpre Award-winning author of Efren Divided, is back with a hilarious and heartfelt novel about two best friends who must rely on each other in unexpected ways. A great next pick for readers who loved Ghost by Jason Reynolds or The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Perez. Isaac and Marco already know sixth grade is going to change their lives. But it won't change things at home-not without each other's help. This year, star basketball player Isaac plans on finally keeping up with his schoolwork. Better grades will surely stop Isaac's parents from arguing all the time. Meanwhile, straight-A Marco vows on finally winning his father's approval by earning a spot on the school's basketball team. But will their friendship and support for each other be enough to keep the two boys from falling short?