Lupe Wong Won't Dance

Starred review from July 6, 2020
Higuera updates an age-old American PE tradition with thoroughly modern sensibilities in this earnest, comedic novel, which follows outspoken half-Chinese, half-Mexican seventh-grader Guadalupe “Lupe” Wong and her crusade to cancel square dancing. If 12-year-old ace pitcher Lupe gets all
As this year, her uncle Hector, who works for the Seattle Mariners, has promised to secure a meetup with fellow “Chinacan” pitcher Fu Li Hernandez, “the first Asian/Latino pitcher in the major leagues.” Lupe’s hero happens to remind her of her dad, who died almost two years ago—which is why, besides becoming the “first woman pitcher in the majors,” she doesn’t “think ever wanted something so bad.” But PE throws a killer changeup in the form of a square-dancing unit, and Lupe’s best subject will quickly become her worst if she can’t figure out how to rid Issaquah Middle School of it. The spring also brings shifting friendships, though, and when Lupe quarrels with one best friend—helicopter-parented Andy Washington, who is Black—and her other best friend—pragmatic, kind Niles Foster, who is on the autism spectrum—begins making new friends, Lupe must reflect on her priorities and relationships. Inclusive and emotionally resonant, Higuera’s debut is a home run, with a plot as multifaceted and compelling as her characters, whose nuanced voices and varied range of interests ring wholly true. Ages 8–12. Agent: Allison Remcheck, Stimola Literary Studio.

July 1, 2020
Lupe Wong, bona fide jock, is horrified that square dancing is the next unit in her seventh grade phys ed class. Dead set on meeting her sports idol, Fu Li Hernandez, the first Asian/Latino pitcher for the Seattle Mariners, Lupe needs to get straight A's to cash in on Uncle Hector's promise. Fu Li is Chinacan--just like Lupe, whose mom is Mexican and late dad was Chinese. Determined to put a halt to square dancing, Lupe brings everyone into her cause: her authentically diverse group of friends, her interracial family, her wise principal, and even her endearing PE teacher. As Lupe doggedly challenges school tradition, readers will connect to her strong internal voice, empathize with her setbacks, and celebrate her victories. Higuera creates a very real multicultural middle school community complete with wisecracking humor, mean girls, and a realistic friendship fallout. Lupe has a wonderfully diverse group of friends with a wide range of interests, from Star Trek to soccer, deftly avoiding "diversity quota" pitfalls. Lupe's own mixed-heritage family is refreshingly representative of families today. Principal Singh is Indian; Lupe's best friend, Andy, is Guinean; and all other primary characters are presumed white. Grab your partners and do-si-do--this one is simply delightful. (Fiction. 8-12)

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Starred review from September 1, 2020
Grades 4-7 *Starred Review* Lupe Wong knows she's going to play in the majors someday, but for now, she just has to get straight As so she can meet baseball player Fu Li Hernandez. The only thing that stands in her way is the new P.E. unit: square dancing. After attempting to have it removed from the curriculum, matters snowball until Lupe must not only square dance alone but also face the loss of one of her best friends?as well as the ire of her classmates and baseball team. Meanwhile, Lupe struggles with the loss of her dad?something that makes meeting Hernandez her top goal. As she examines her actions, realizing what is most important to her, Lupe grows closer to her friends, brings appreciation of different cultures?including her own Mexican and Chinese heritages?to her school, and even learns that she enjoys square dancing. In addition to a strong and at-times stubborn protagonist, a cast including good friends and thoughtful parents, grandparents, and teachers we should all be so lucky to have is a big part of what makes this such a wonderful read. Humorous, fast-paced chapters will have readers turning the pages to find out what interesting situation Lupe will find herself in next. A laugh-out-loud story about family, friendship, and the beauty in being true to yourself.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

October 1, 2020

Gr 3-7-Readers will be immediately drawn into the zippy first-person voice of Lupe Wong, future first female pitcher in Major League Baseball and defender of social justice. Young people will identify with the torture that is the middle school square-dancing unit. Lupe is determined to fight for the right to not participate. In order to earn the privilege of meeting her favorite baseball player she must get straight A's, and that includes square dancing. Her grandfather's wisdom influences her to choose to "overcome instead of fighting." Lupe finds that trying something new, and adding her own spin on it, can make her life richer. Readers will enjoy the time spent with Lupe; reluctant sports-loving readers might even find reading as palatable as Lupe eventually finds dancing. Lupe must also learn to navigate the rough waters of friendship in seventh grade when everything gets complicated. Debut author Higuera imbues the text with diversity through cultures and family structures, as well as neurodiversity; Lupe's friend Niles is autistic. Lupe manages to make the square-dancing unit work, all while fixing some age-old traditions that are no longer culturally relevant. Kids becoming aware and ready to fight for social justice causes will be inspired by Lupe, who learns to sift through what she doesn't like and fight for that which is most important. VERDICT A humorous, fresh #OwnVoices title sure to appeal to social justice advocates and reluctant square dancers everywhere.-Kate Nafz, Fair Lawn P.L., NJ

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