Found one! Angela Cervantes is writing the middle grade fiction books with Latina heroines she always wanted to read. She is admired by students around the United States for stories that speak to them and entertain. Her books are available in Spanish and in English through Scholastic and Amazon. I bought a copy of her Frida, el misterio del anillo del pavo real y yo (Me, Frida, and the Mystery of the Peacock Ring) for our child. It’s a chapter book prize for speaking Spanish with me morning and night!

Curious, I began to read the book. The protagonist, Paloma, is 12. Her father, who died in an accident when she was small, was from Mexico. She and her mom live in the United States. Her mom gets a summer scholarship to study in Mexico and invites Paloma along. While in Mexico, Paloma starts to learn Spanish, meets new friends, and finds a mystery to solve. Angela Cervantes did a wonderful job of introducing Frida Kahlo’s work to her readers, describing paintings and presenting the feelings that might have inspired them.

Part of the story is tied to Frida’s Casa Azul, a former residence turned museum. The author bases part in fact and uses conjecture and possibility to create the mystery around the peacock ring. I learned more about Frida Kahlo’s life and enjoyed the well-spun yarn. I recommend the book in English or Spanish, to readers 10 years old and above.

Gracias for reading Fake Flamenco! Olé! –Rebecca