Award-winning author Emma Otheguy returns to Reading in the Middle to discuss her new middle-grade novel, Adventure in the City of Stories, illustrated by Poly Bernatene.
Camila, Jorge, and Siggy are back for another journey through time. After valuable artifacts connected to pioneering librarian and storyteller Pura Belpré mysteriously appear in Tía Xía’s closet, the cousins are transported to New York City during the Great Depression. There, they must protect Pura’s legacy, clear their aunt’s name, and help Antonia, a courageous Puerto Rican girl fighting injustice in her community.
In this thoughtful and lively conversation, Emma and Annisha explore why Camila’s story begins with Spanish-language books being rejected at school and what happens when children are made to believe that their language, culture, or stories do not belong.
They also discuss the remarkable connections among Pura Belpré, Arturo Schomburg, and Gabriela Mistral; how libraries and archives preserve evidence of communities that history has too often ignored; and why reading can become a source of dignity, resistance, and collective power.
Emma shares how she balances serious history with humor, magic, and a fast-moving adventure—and why Camila does not need to become fearless in order to become courageous.
Annisha and Emma discuss:
Emma Otheguy’s books for young readers include Silver Meadows Summer, Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene, Cousins in the Time of Magic, The Madre de Aguas of Cuba, Martí’s Song for Freedom, A Sled for Gabo, and Martina Has Too Many Tías. Her work frequently explores family, Latin American history, language, identity, and belonging.
Adventure in the City of Stories is the newest companion novel in the Cousins in the Time of Magic series. It was published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers and illustrated by Poly Bernatene.
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