A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation

Though 12-year-old Cuban American painter Gonzalo Alberto Sánchez García has always been introverted and quiet, his father’s death prompts him to retreat further inward. Intending to cheer him up, Gonzalo’s mother sends him to Mendocino, Calif., to spend time with his curmudgeonly grandfather, famous author Alberto. She also hopes that Gonzalo’s presence will boost Alberto’s mood during the press tour for the final book in his beloved children’s series, which Gonzalo has never read. As they tour from Mendocino to Miami, they uncover more about what motivates their art as well as their shared pain and grief. Gonzalo also learns he was named after the hero of Alberto’s books, prompting him to dive into the series, which helps him better understand his grandfather and his family’s history. While Gonzalo’s personable first-person POV relays most of the duo’s adventure, Cartaya (Curveball) cleverly inserts chapters addressed to the audience in which a confident omniscient narrator explains literary techniques readers can use to analyze the unfolding action. It’s a touching intergenerational road trip epic that juxtaposes heavy themes surrounding loss with playful yet sophisticated interpretations of artistic integrity. Ages 8–12. Agent: Jess Regel, Helm Literary. (May)