I love it when I find a book about the Hispanic culture.  Having lived in Texas for 10 years, I’m keenly aware of the lack of diversity in books containing Hispanic characters.  I’m glad to see more of them are getting noticed.  Cinco Punto press has published a book called

Gabi, A Girl in Pieces

written by Isabel Quintero, who is a librarian in California.  Gotta love those librarians! Here’s a blurb about the book;

July 24

My mother named me Gabriella, after my grandmother who, coincidentally, didn’t want to meet me when I was born because my mother was unmarried, and therefore living in sin. My mom has told me the story many, many, MANY, times of how, when she confessed to my grandmother that she was pregnant with me, her mother beat her. BEAT HER! She was twenty-five. That story is the basis of my sexual education and has reiterated why it’s important to wait until you’re married to give it up. So now, every time I go out with a guy, my mom says, “Ojos abiertos, piernas cerradas.” Eyes open, legs closed. That’s as far as the birds and the bees talk has gone. And I don’t mind it. I don’t necessarily agree with that whole wait until you’re married crap, though. I mean, this is America and the 21st century; not Mexico one hundred years ago. But, of course, I can’t tell my mom that because she will think I’m bad. Or worse: trying to be White.

Gabi Hernandez chronicles her last year in high school in her diary: Cindy’s pregnancy, Sebastian’s coming out, the cute boys, her father’s meth habit, and the food she craves. And best of all, the poetry that helps forge her identity.

If you’re a fan of epistolary books, which is a fancy word for letters, then you might like this book.  Also, it kinda has a Crank by Ellen Hopkins feel to it too.  I just cracked the book open; I can’t wait to get started on it. I’m sure I’m going to like it.

Did I mention that we need more diverse books?