Author
Piñata: A Bilingual Book of Poetry for Teenagers
El primer día of school
El primer día de escuela es hoy.
Welcome, children! I’m Ms. Annabelle Choy.
No conozco a nadie. No hablo inglés.
Let’s begin and take our places, yes?
Que no me pregunte nada, ¡por favor!
So, who here has heard of El Salvador?
¡No puede ser! ¡Me va a presentar!
If you can find it on the map—a double star!
¡Qué malapata! Como decimos en mi país.
You found it! Good for you, Patrice!
Cerraré los ojos. No me podrán ver si yo no los veo.
Now, our summer stories! Patrice and Theo…
Por ser de El Salvador, me llamará a mí.
and Manuel… Tell us about your family.
Peligro, pobreza, pérdida… Pero también…
Perhaps: New possibilities. New friends.
I love how these poems reflect on real, everyday situations of teens—engaging them in their own world. Truly a wonderful show of imagination at play in this book which is important to foster new generations of readers and lovers of poetry. What’s more, as a bilingual reader it will instill pride in teens of Hispanic culture, as well as teach other teens that stories (and lives) come in different languages—a very important lesson indeed, one I wish I had when I was growing up.
Richard Blanco, 2010 Inaugural Poet for President Obama
Pinata is a collection of poetry focused on teens’ search for identity and their challenges in life, especially, but not exclusively, among Latino youth. Some of the poems are poignant and serious; others are light and humorous. They vary in length and complexity as well. The diversity in tone and structure is refreshing. The poems, which are presented in Spanish and English, are not direct translations which better ensures that they are filled with lyricism, rhythm, and evocative and nuanced word choices in both languages. While Cody has drawn on memories of her own adolescence, her poetry is accessible to and meaningful for all of today’s teens.
Maralita Freeny, Retired, Director of Prince George’s County Memorial Library System and Youth Coordinator, DC Public Library; Served as member of the American Library Association Newbery Committee (2021)
Héctor, el niño eléctrico
Héctor, a timid 10-year-old boy, meets a magician at the auto body shop where his mother works. This curious encounter suddenly gives Héctor electrical powers. How do these powers change Héctor?
Sylvia y Rosita: Una escuela para todos
Sylvia and Rosita meet at Hoover School in California, the school designated for Mexican children in 1943. Sylvia’s parents want to enroll her in a school for white children but this school does not accept Mexican children. A battle ensues.