A poignant novel in verse in which, after a life-changing accident, one girl finds her way back to her life’s passion. From the Newbery Honor-winning author of Iveliz Explains It All.All these months of staring at the wall?All these months of feeling weak?It’s ending—I’m going back to fencing.And then it’ll belike nothing ever happened.No one knows hard work and dedication like Valentina Camacho. And Vale’s
thing is fencing. She’s the top athlete at her fencing gym. Or she was . . . until the accident.
After months away, Vale is finally cleared to fence again, but it’s much harder than before. Her body doesn’t move the way it used to, and worst of all is the new number one: Myrka. When she sweeps Vale aside with her perfect form and easy smile, Vale just can’t accept that. But the harder Vale fights to catch up, the more she realizes her injury isn’t the only thing holding her back. If she can’t leave her accident in the past, then what does she have to look forward to?
In this moving novel from the Newbery Honor-winning author of
Iveliz Explains It All, one girl finds her way back to her life’s passion and discovers that the sum of a person's achievements doesn’t amount to the whole of them.
On sale: February 11, 2025
Age: 10-14 years
Grade: Grades 6-8
Page count: 272 Pages
ISBN: 9780593810927
Reading level: Lexile: NP | Fountas/Pinnell: X
Andrea Beatriz Arango is the author of Newbery Honor Book
Iveliz Explains It All and the Pura Belpré Honor Book
Something Like Home. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she first became a teacher. She then spent a decade in the United States working in public schools and nonprofits. When she’s not busy writing about middle schoolers and their families, you can find her hoping to spot manatees at the beach. Andrea lives in Puerto Rico with her family and two dogs.
★ "
Moving and insightful." —
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "This novel promises to be
the rapier to the heart the reader needs to take control of their own choices." —
Booklist, starred review
★ "Arango’s fans will celebrate the opportunity to read another poignant story told in verse; it packs a punch, and is
brimming with love and optimism." —
School Library Journal, starred review
"
[A] narrative that highlights chosen family and the integral part it plays in forming one’s sense of self." —
Publishers Weekly
"
[A] beautiful reminder that there’s more to life than being the best." —
The Bulletin
"
Arango’s accessible verse strikes at Vale’s emotional core as she considers her worth and identity in the face of her challenges....the depiction of a brown-skinned, queer girl in the world of fencing is
noteworthy." —
The Horn Book
