Lupe Lopez

August 1, 2022
Drummer Lupe Lopez, a “real-life, Texas-size rock star” portrayed with brown skin, has a rebellious, big-ego persona—and discovers on the first day of kindergarten that it’s the complete opposite of what classroom life requires. Ms. Quintanilla promptly lists rules for being a “school rock star”: listen to your teacher, use your inside voice, and be a friend. Lupe’s asked to refrain from wearing sunglasses inside, drumming anywhere she pleases, and shouting “¡Soy Famosa!” in the lunchroom. What’s more, Charlton-Trujillo and Zietlow Miller reveal, her peers are not interested in being her personal fan club. In adhering to the rules, Lupe becomes more approachable, even learning that her classmates, who appreciate her talent, are eager to start a band. Employing Spanish words and onomatopoeia, and Cepeda’s full-bleed, sunshine-bright cartoons, this story assures even the most exuberant kid that they can master the big social-emotional task of kindergarten: holding onto individuality while becoming part of a community. Ages 3–7.

July 15, 2023
Miniature rock star Lupe Lopez takes on her next big battle--reading! Start a band in kindergarten? Done that! Now it's the first day of first grade at Hector P. Garcia Elementary School, and our protagonist, whom readers may remember from Lupe Lopez: Rock Star Rules! (2022), is ready. Her goal for the year? Become a Reading Rock Star. With her pencil drumsticks in hand and pals beside her, Lupe swaggers into class prepared to read. Her first attempt at reading in class...doesn't go too well. Worse yet, Victor Valdez (who's totally in Group B and not Group A for Awesome like Lupe) seizes every opportunity to embarrass Lupe. It sure seems like "the worst day a first-grader ever had at Hector P. Garcia Elementary." The following day, Ms. Moreno shares a sweet secret with a crestfallen Lupe: "Reading is like music." Aha! Before long, Lupe bangs out to the beat of reading, one step closer to her rock star dream. A delightful romp, Lupe's latest adventure leaps off the page with a "�BOOM-TICA-BAM!" The authors bolster Lupe's infectious sass even further, serving up the humorous melodrama that boosts her eventual comeback song. Hector P. Garcia Elementary remains a community of primarily brown-skinned, Latine-cued students and teachers, with a few words in Spanish sprinkled throughout. The artwork favors bold blues, lush purples, and creamy pinks, veering from solid swaths to fizzy bursts as Lupe ascends from reluctant reader to Reading Rock Star. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A winning primer on how to rock reading. (Picture book. 6-9)

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September 29, 2023

Gr 1-3-Lupe Lopez has big dreams to become a musician and a Reading Rock Star! However, she experiences her worst day of first grade when she finds out she is in a group for kids who struggle with reading. She misreads a sentence in front of her group and is teased by Victor. This experience is one many kids face, making Lupe a very realistic and relatable character. While this story addresses an important and scary experience for young children, Lupe's struggles are not described in detail, which may prevent some children from understanding the challenge of learning to read. The resolution is tidy and does not show how Lupe uses either reading strategies or motivation to improve her skills, and the bullying between students is not addressed by the teacher. VERDICT This colorful, well-illustrated book describes a common childhood experience, but despite a relatable heroine, the limited detail about her challenges and quick resolution may not appropriately express empathy for students like her.-Tracey S. Hodges

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