The Amazing Adventures of Selma Calderon: A Globetrotting Magical Mystery of Courage, Food & Friendship

"In The Amazing Adventures of Selma Calderón I stepped into a magical world where I could feel the characters' emotions. Excited, nervous, and always wanting to know what would happen next, I did not want to put this book down." -Diego Esparza, 7th grade "Rebecca Villarreal's middle school novel uses magic realism to capture the attention of young readers while introducing people and places of note-from the poet Lucille Clifton to the Alhambra in Spain. Every child who has wished they could use magic to travel (and who hasn't?) will enjoy seeing the world with Selma Calderón, especially when she skips class to travel to do research for a school assignment. The Amazing Adventures of Selma Calderón taps all the senses with aromas and tastes of chilaquiles in Chicago and chocolate croissants in Paris, the light and colors of the Alhambra, and the sounds of poetry at home. In an age-appropriate way, the reader also sees Selma deal with a range of emotions, from happiness with her friend Hurley to grief at the loss (possibly abandonment) of her parents." -Deborah Menkart, Executive Director, Teaching for Change "I really liked Selma. She reminds me of myself! I'm always curious and wanting to know more. I liked the whole magic and adventure thing." -Susana Cárdenas, 6th grade "I really liked your book! All the places that Selma went sound very interesting. I really like that Selma and Guadey have magic powers. I think it was cool that you added those reports about countries because a lot of kids have to do reports in school. I like that you added Amelia in your book. You did a wonderful job." -Amelia Hoch, 4th grade