Mari Pepa y el club de los pirados

Gr 4—6—Born in China, Mari Pepa was adopted by a Spanish couple when she was just a few months old. Although loved and an important member of her family, the 10-year-old is not always sure where she belongs, so she decides to find people who know who they really are. Only one person responds to the sign she posts at school: Juanan, a boy who was born in Ethiopia, was adopted by a Spanish couple as a baby. On their first encounter at the plaza of the Árbol Solitario, they find a suitcase hidden in the bushes. As the story evolves, Gómez Cerdá includes elements of suspense and adventure that make this novel entertaining and intriguing. Mari Pepa and Juanan meet Victor, the owner of the suitcase, an orphan who is running away from Dani Ogro, an infamous TV anchor. Dani Ogro kidnaps the children to exploit their inflated stories and raise his show's ratings. While in captivity, Mari Pepa solves her identity crisis and comes to value her parents' unconditional love. Navia's highly detailed black-and-white drawings enhance the mystery elements in the story, giving it realistic appeal. An excellent selection to spark discussions on mixed-race families and adoption.—Patricia Bashir, Library Consultant, Brentwood, TN