Books published by publisher Pinata Books

Mamá always sighs, "Muy, muy chica," every time Lupita tries to help out at the restaurant that Mamá runs all by herself. But when push comes to shove--or when Grabb comes to swipe--everyone in this exciting tale discovers that, although Lupita may be too little for some tasks, she is big enough for others.With vivid illustrations by Enrique O. Sánchez that delightfully enhance the story, Big Enough / Bastante grande evokes the yearning for growing independence of every child. This entertaining, action-filled tale will have children and adults alike panting for breath as they try to keep up with Lupita, racing along toward an exciting conclusion.

Fiction. Latina American Studies, This novel takes place in the picturesque city of San Antonio, Texas, with its rich Mexican-American culture providing the ideal backdrop for the interconnected stories in this intriguing novel for young adults/teenagers. Luz, the young Latina protagonist, will represent her state in the upcoming national spelling bee and her participation signifies a substantial milestone of her community's sense of pride and achievement. However her success triggers a variety of emotions from her family and community as they come to terms with how they feel about Luz as a Latina participating in a national spelling bee. This is the first full-length book by Jo Ann Yolanda Hernadez who previously had her stories published in journals including Rock Falls Review, Rain Dog Review, and Atom Mind.

Moses Vargas hates his life. He has been forced to move four times in as many years, and he s tired of starting at another school, having everyone stare at him and trying to make new friends. Most of all, he doesn t want to have to deal with questions about his father an inmate in the California Department of Corrections.When Moses discovers that someone has been sending out text messages with a photo of him and his father in a prison uniform, he ends up in a fight and then suspended for three days. School counselor Ray Gutiérrez agrees to reach out to Moses. He realizes that several boys at Roosevelt High School are dealing with absentee fathers, putting them at risk for failure or dropping out. With permission from the principal, Mr. Gutiérrez starts an after-school support program called Círculos.Moses grudgingly attends the sessions that draw on indigenous and cultural roots to empower the boys. Realizing he is not the only one with a problematic home life and the new friendship of a pretty classmate whose father is also in prison helps Moses to begin talking about his anger and embarrassment. But will he really be able to overcome his resentment towards his father?The tenth installment in Velásquez s acclaimed Roosevelt High School Series that focuses on social issues relevant to teens, Forgiving Moses addresses the painful issue of children, particularly brown and black youth, whose fathers are not present in their lives. Touching on the disproportionately high number of men of color in prison and its effects on society, this short novel for teens will generate conversations about the possible consequences of making bad choices, responsibility to family and the impact of incarceration.

The EGGerson family lives on a planet called NEGGarus in a galaxy far, far away. On NEGGarus, everything is either round or oval shaped. The people who live there Supersapien EGGbeings, or EGGbees come in different sizes and colors, but they re all shaped like, well, EGGs. The EGGerson family, like all EGGbee familes, has twelve members because they're better by the dozen. In addition to Daddy, Mommy, Grandpa, and Grandma, there are GrEGG, JEGGsica, EGGward, EGGelbert, MEGGie, PEGGie, EGGmond, and EGGbeth. One day, Mommy EGGerson tells her children that their cousins from MEGGxico are coming for a visit. The kids are thrilled to meet the MEGGanas: LEGGticia, EGGuardo, PEGGlicia, DiEGGo, EGGnacio, MEGGuelito, MEGGarita, and EGGlida. But the EGGerson kids are surprised and confused by the MEGGanas' appearance: their shells are a beautiful brown color, not white like the EGGersons'. As the cousins spend the next few days together, they come to realize that in spite of the difference in their shell color they have lots of things in common. Sure to generate giggles in children ages 4-8, this bilingual picture book focuses on family and daily activities to share an important concept with children about acceptance.

Tommy is excited to finally be a senior at Roosevelt High School. There was a time when he thought he'd never graduate, especially after he tried to kill himself to avoid dealing with his sexual orientation. But with the help of his friends, he has accepted who he is, come out to his family and friends and is preparing for college next year. But when Albert, a new student at Roosevelt High, is beaten so badly he winds up in the emergency room, Tommy can't help but wonder if he was attacked because he's gay. Soon, rumors about Albert are reverberating down the school's hallways, and Tommy fears Albert might seek the same solution he himself did two years before. Tommy visits Ms. Martinez, the counselor who helped him come to terms with his sexuality, who reminds him about his idea to start a Gay Straight Alliance Club at Roosevelt High. Suddenly, he realizes how he can help Albert. In spite of being busy with school, his job at the local theater and tutoring a young immigrant boy, Tommy finds other students both gay and straight interested in starting a club to raise awareness and seek equality for gay students. But will it really make a difference? Will they be able to modify the school's anti-discrimination code? And will the group be able to help Albert? Tommy Stands Tall is the ninth novel in Gloria L. Velasquez's popular Roosevelt High School series, which features a multiracial group of teenaged students who must individually confront social and cultural issues (such as violence, sexuality and prejudice) that young adults face today. This is the second novel that follows Tommy's story, which began in Tommy Stands Alone (Pinata Books, 1995).

This exciting action-adventure for young adults continues the story of the Spanish contribution to the American Revolution In his last adventure, Lorenzo Bannister swept across the southern colonies of England and Spain, from the teeming ports of New Orleans to the fertile plantations of Virginia, struggling to deliver crucial supplies to George Washington. Now, in this sequel to Lorenzo's Secret Mission, the intrepid young adventurer is back to fulfill his commitment to the American Revolution. When General George Washington names Lorenzo a captain in the Continental Army, he is sent on another challenging mission: to go to Texas to purchase 500 head of cattle from the Spanish. With Colonel De Galvez's aid, Lorenzo struggles to herd the cattle and his soldiers to the Mississippi River via the King's Highway---a rustic dirt road through the province of Texas and Louisiana. Once again, Lorenzo finds himself charged with a life-threatening quest, a quest that will bring him face to face with the notorious renegade rustlers of the southwest under the command of the menacing Chien d'Or. And just in the shadows, waits "Saber Scar"---the man that holds Lorenzo responsible for his capture and imprisonment---whose exit from prison is one short breath away.