Hello Everyone, I know it has been such a long time since I have been able to update Latina YA. I recently had a visit to a Latina Reading Group and thought you might like to read about my wonderful experience. In the summer, I will have more time to add more books. Thank you for visiting!
About two months ago, I was contacted by a Professor of Liberal Studies in the Liberal Studies Department at CSU Monterey Bay about 25 miles from my neck of the woods. He taught a Latina Reading group! Yes, a group he put together himself to encourage and support some CSUMB Latino students as undergrads who want to become teachers. As part of this process they were reading a series of picture books and YA novels. One of their proposed novels was Graffiti Girl. He had recently had a visit by another local author, Ann Jaramillo, author of La Linea.
Of course, I was flattered! And truthfully, I was a little nervous and not sure what to expect. These wouldn't be middle grade students, but adults reading my book, and I'm just a newbie author, who never attended a university...what could I bring to these students?
Well, I could bring chocolate! *grin* But this time I knew I wouldn't be throwing around candy to get the group to open up like I had done for a middle grade visit. But there was no need, once I arrived Professor Miguel was so welcoming. He joked that Miguel in Graffiti Girl was him! And the group was so friendly, it really was like they were a family of cousins with mostly woman and two men.
The only part that made me nervous was the video camera. *grin* But the professor assured me it was for studying purposes so they might revisit the meeting. We went around the table and introduced ourselves, and the students each told me of parts of the story that they related to, what scenes touched a personal cord with them, and the themes that they felt were important.
I had never been to a group where the readers had each taken time to read my book and them discussed it with me. I tried to share my feelings about each scene and character and what made me write them. It was a very honest, and enlightening, and humbling experience. I was incredibly honored.
Near the end, they each described what their "tag" name would be and how it would look painted. That was very fun and creative! I followed up by signing a few books and taking pics. One of the students baked cupcakes and I took some home. *grin*
Professor Miguel has since sent me photos, a writing prompt from one of his students about what it means to be Latino, and mentioned they have now changed their name to the Latina Reading Crew! I wish the best to this wonderful group of Latinos. And like I mentioned, it was an awesome experience I won't forget. :)
Amor and Summer Secrets
Kim Flores was born on November 24, 1968. Her school years were spent wrestling with reading, writing, and higher math, performing in plays, making movies and twirling batons. In most regards a model student, her record was marred by frequent admonishment for talking in class. In the end, she didn’t make valedictorian, but was chosen senior class favorite.
Prizefighter en mi Casa
Laura Resau's debut young adult novel, What the Moon Saw, is an Americas Award Honor Book, a Parents' Choice Award Recommendation, a Junior Library Guild Selection, a Colorado Authors' League Award Winner, and other honors. In a starred review, Booklist calls What the Moon Saw "a deeply felt, lyrical debut ... a powerful, magical story ... a rare glimpse into an indigenous culture." 
Resau's second novel, Red Glass-- also set in rural Mexico and dealing with the timely topic of immigration-- is called a "vibrant, large-hearted story" in a starred review by Publishers' Weekly. Resau lived in the Mixtec region of Oaxaca, Mexico, for two years as an English teacher and anthropologist. She now lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she writes and teaches English as a Second Language. She is donating a portion of her royalties to indigenous rights organizations in Latin America.
Michele Domínguez Greene is an Emmy-nominated actress who has starred in the NBC series L.A. Law and numerous television movies and independent films. Behind the camera, her talent as a screenwriter has garnered her critical acclaim. Her screenplays include Fly Cherry and Beethoven's 7-11, which won the 2004 Spirit of Moondance Award in the category of best short screenplays at the Moondance International Film Festival. Her first novel, Chasing the Jaguar, has been optioned by movie producer Robert Katz, whose films include Selena and Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.
