Center for Children's Literature Blog

Children’s Book Committee – October 2018 Pick

Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish
by Pablo Cartaya

Marcus, Puerto Rican by birth but with few connections to his heritage, gets suspended for fighting, whereupon his white mother takes him to Puerto Rico to discover his roots.

Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish

Our Young Reviewer Says:

This book was a stirring narrative of an eighth grader attempting to navigate teen hood while searching for his father in Puerto Rico. I liked that this book was unique in its character choices. It displayed a 14 year old, Marcus Vega, who was widely feared amongst his school because of his size. He was exhibited as a kind and loving family member, trying his best to help his brother on the autism spectrum, and his single mother take care of their family.

– Gabriel, 12 Years Old, Brooklyn, NY.

Young people who are interested in reviewing are invited to do so as we welcome the individual perspective of our age appropriate readers. If you are interested in being a reviewer, contact bookcom@bankstreet.edu.

See our past monthly picks