{"product_id":"the-making-of-yolanda-la-bruja-9781646144488","title":"The Making of Yolanda La Bruja","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYolanda's year is on fire - but it's not the good kind.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Just as things are clicking at school and with her friends, a bad feeling rolls into the Bronx. A new white student sets Yolanda on edge, and her bruja initiation brings terrifying visions of violence. Can Yolanda, with the love of her community and the power of her ancestors, protect everything she holds dear? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis is the story our world needs right now.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Written in stunning prose, this sharp examination of education, race, violence, and spirituality is a must-read.\" --\u003ci\u003eThe Mary Sue\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In a world battling gun violence, Yolanda fights back with magic, resilience, and a fierce Dominican spirit. \u003ci\u003eThe Making of Yolanda la Bruja\u003c\/i\u003e is a powerful debut novel that explores race, justice, education, and the strength found in community. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eDon't miss this critically acclaimed coming-of-age story! \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e P R A I S E \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Sense Media Selection for Teens\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e ★ \"Inspiring...full of heart and spirituality.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eShelf-Awareness\u003c\/i\u003e (starred)\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e ★ \"A sharply rendered portrait...Avila's striking debut is not to be missed.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e (starred)\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e ★ \"Unabashedly political...A remarkable, beautifully rendered debut.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eKirkus\u003c\/i\u003e (starred)\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e ★ \"Suspenseful...A boldly characterized protagonist whose intersectional identities as a queer and Deaf person of color informs her sharp-witted narrative voice and conviction around combatting racism within her community.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly \u003c\/i\u003e(starred)\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e ★ \"A heartbreaking climax...thoughtful and gripping...[a] lyrical debut novel.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal \u003c\/i\u003e(starred)\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Impressive and urgent. [Avila] takes on racism, violence and injustice with a mix of magic, spirituality and care that few have attempted--and she's captivatingly successful.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eMs.\u003c\/i\u003e Magazine\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Explores gun violence, race, justice, education, and spirituality, which holds this book like a canopy, enclosing and exposing layers of Blackness and the growth and sense of belonging community can provide.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eAl Dia\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"A necessary story about gun violence, race, and education.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eRefinery29\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Gripping...skillfully depicts the reality of growing up as a Black Latinx teen in the midst of racial violence and social upheaval... Avila carefully demonstrates the tremendous strength in Yolanda's community and the deep roots of her spiritual life, which keep her grounded as she steps into her full power.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eHorn Book\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Written in stunning prose, this sharp examination of education, race, violence, and spirituality is a must-read.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eThe Mary Sue\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLorraine Avila\u003c\/b\u003e (she\/they) is a storyteller. Lorraine was born and raised in the Bronx, NY and is a first generation Dominican-American. Avila spent a decade as an educator in the K-12 education system. She has a BA from Fordham University in English, an MA in Teaching from New York University, and an MFA from the University of Pittsburgh. \u003ci\u003eThe Making of Yolanda La Bruja\u003c\/i\u003e is her YA debut. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Levine Querido","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50899853869330,"sku":"9781646144488","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_741ca80f-980d-4cce-9e50-745059ead099.jpg?v=1748686009","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-making-of-yolanda-la-bruja-9781646144488","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}