Tune into Facebook Live to get the scoop on all of the nominees for this year's Massachusetts Children's Book Award (selected and nominated by kids just like you!) where children's literature extraordinaire, Ms. Rezarta Reso, will highlight the nominated books so you can learn all about them (and fill up your to-read book list!)

Watch our first episode today at 4 (scroll down on the page if you don't see it right away) or watch the recording anytime) featuring Pablo Cartaya!

Here are some of Ms. Rezarta's reflections on two of Pablo Cartaya's wonderful books: 

I have such fond memories of reading 

In this award winning (The Pura Belpré award for outstanding Latinx literature and the Massachusetts Children’s Book Award-MCBA) story, Arturo, a thirteen year old from Miami, has to save his town from the threat of land developers. In addition to being a great advocate for his community, he is so sweet to his crush, Carmen, and has such a great love and outstanding dedication to his abuela and saving her restaurant. You are sure to enjoy reading it too!

Since I greatly love Pablo Cartaya’s writing, I was so excited to hear that another one of his books: 

To put it simply-Marcus Vega is my new hero. 

Marcus Vega does not think he is a normal kid. At six feet tall and 180 pounds, Marcus imagines that when other kids see him walk down the hall, they want to clear out of the way and hide like campers in a forest who spot a grizzly bear. 

Unfortunately, Marcus is not just imagining how kids feel about him since they call him names like The Mastodon of Montgomery Middle, The Springfield Skyscraper, Moving Mountain, and The Terrible Tower. To make matters even worse “darling child” (his parent is head of the parents association so of course he can do no wrong), Stephen Hobert, relentlessly tortures Marcus and never misses a chance to tell Marcus that he’s abnormal. 

As if Marcus’ school life wasn’t enough of a hardship, he is also still grieving the loss of his father who abandoned him years ago, and he has to juggle his schoolwork responsibilities while caring for his brother Charlie who has Down Syndrome. Marcus knows that his life is hard but he can’t really complain as much as he would like.  His mom desperately needs his help because she is already stressed from working and having a long commute, while also trying to advocate for Charlie’s rights to remain at his school because the parents of the other children in his class are prejudice against him. 

Marcus absolutely, without question, needs a break! 

Thankfully, things seem to take a turn for the better in Marcus’ life when he has the opportunity to visit his family in Puerto Rico. If Marcus could go to Puerto Rico, he could meet his extended family and even try to look for his father. Will Marcus go to Puerto Rico to discover his inner strength and resolve to meet the challenges in his life? Or will he find his father and wish that he had never gone to Puerto Rico in the first place? 

You’ll have to read to find out but one thing is for sure: like me, you will never forget Gentle Giant, Marcus Vega. 

Click here for more information about Pablo Cartaya’s amazing life and work. 

*The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora is also available in eBook and eAudio formats.

Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish is also available in eBook and eAudio formats.

-Rezi