Ages 8+1-min guideGraphic novelFamilySports
Speak Up, Santiago!
by Julio Anta
Good fitA good fit for most kids 8 and up. A warm summer story about family, language and fitting in. Spanish is woven in, and most of it is translated.
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What it’s about
Santi, 12, leaves New York City to spend a month with his abuela. He wants to get better at Spanish, but he’s scared to speak it. New friends invite him into their secret soccer club.
The ending
What might come up
Big feelingsSomeSanti feels anxious and ashamed about his Spanish. His anger boils over.
Unkind behaviorA littleGrown-ups tease his accent. In flashbacks, classmates question why he’s in Spanish class.
ViolenceA littleSanti takes his anger out on friends with rough play at practice.
Illness and injuryA littleAbuela is hurt in a fall and needs his care.
LanguageNone
RomanceNone
Why kids like it
A secret soccer club, new friends, and lots of Abuela’s cooking.
Free printable quiz
- 1Where does Santi spend his summer?
- 2Which country is Abuela from?
- 3What sport does Santi play with his new friends?
- 4What is Santi nervous about?