Books with author Diane Gonzales Bertrand

Finalist, Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award; Finalist, Texas Institute of Letters 2001 Friends of the Austin Public Library Young Adult Book Award; Named to The New York Public Library's 2002 Books For The Teen Age: Finalist, ForeWord Magazine's "Book of the Year" Young Adult category; and Finalist, Writer's League of Texas' Teddy Children's Book Award.

Seventh-grader Trino Olivares likes video games a lot more than he likes books. In fact, he doesn’t have much use for most “school types.” But when Rosca, an older teen with a vicious streak, invites Trino to start hanging out with his crowd—and maybe make some quick money, too—the younger boy doesn’t know what to think. Trino’s angry that he and his younger stepbrothers are barely getting by, even though their mother works two jobs. And he’d do anything to make an impression on Lisana, a smart neighborhood girl who happens to be one of those “school types.” With little help from any adults, it’s up to Trino to decide which choices will impress his friends—and which choices are the best for Trino.

Jessie Medina knows the job of School Development Director won't be easy, given that she is a woman working for a boy's school and that she is proposing new projects in a school operating on antiquated fundraising ideas. Jessie attempts to stage a concert to benefit the school, with or without the support of the alumni association's president, Roland Tobias. Though he seems intent on making her life difficult, she finds that the very man who challenges her at every turn can be her biggest ally. Balancing the new job and a personal relationship may hit a little too close to home and a little too close to the fears in her own heart.

Diane Gonzales Bertrand enjoys a career as an award-winning writer, but in her latest novel for young adults, Close to the Heart, the central character makes a major career change. No longer feeling content with her corporate job, Jessie Medina finds a cause more worthy of her attention: saving St. Joseph’s High School. Close to the Heart invites young readers to follow Jessie on her new career path as she encounters professional and personal complicated situations.Knowing the job of School Development Director will not be easy and expecting a certain amount of resistance given the fact that she is a woman working for a boy’s school, Jessie trudges ahead as a staff member full of projects in a school that seems to be operating on antiquated fundraising ideas. She doggedly launches an effort to stage a benefit concert for the school, with or without the support of the alumni association’s president, Roland Tovias. Though he seems intent on making her life difficult, Jessie finds that the very man who challenges her at every turn can be her biggest ally when it really counts. She is afraid that balancing the new job and a personal relationship may hit a little too close to home and a little too close to the fears in her own heart. This fast-paced romance for readers ages 11 and up raises interesting issues about one woman’s struggle to have it all and the complex role of cultural traditions in an ever-changing world.

Seventh-grader Trino Olivares likes video games a lot more than he likes books. In fact, he doesn't have much use for most "school types". But when Rosca, an older teen with a vicious streak, invites Trino to start hanging out with his crowd -- and maybe make some quick money, too -- the younger boy doesn't know what to think. With little help from any adults, it's up to Trino to decide which choices will impress his friends -- and which choices are the best for Trino. A dramatic story about the difficult problems that children today face -- often with little guidance -- and the sometimes deadly consequences that can result.