  | Mani Semilla finds her Quetzal voice Author: Lapera, Anna | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
Manuela Mani Semilla wants two things: to get her period, and to thwart her mom's plan of taking her to Guatemala. Mani can't imagine leaving behind Las Nerdas, her band of misfit friends, for the summer. But after she finds letters written between her mother and her disappeared-journalist aunt, Mani's idea of what it means to be a woman takes flight.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (01/01/24)
School Library Journal (+) (00/01/24)
Booklist (+) (02/15/24)
The Hornbook (00/03/24)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 02/15/2024 *Starred Review* Timid Manuela “Mani” Semilla and her BFFs document in their “Nerdas Manifesto” notebook how they’re the only girls in seventh grade without their period. The only way they can end the year on a good note is if they win the Speak Up social justice competition, which falls on Mani’s thirteenth birthday—the day her mother wants the family to visit Guatemala. As Mani plucks up the courage to convince her mom to stay for the competition, other issues take flight at school. A group of boys attempts to rip Mani’s bra off while recording it on their phones. A surge of energy prompts her to address the constant sexual harassment, which the administration resolves by accusing the female students of being provocative. It is during this time that Mani discovers letters from her aunt (who unfortunately disappeared) that demonstrate how activism runs in her blood. Mani will have to dig deep into her roots to embolden her voice and stand up to injustice. Lapera’s debut novel focuses on the disparities against women, shedding light on the femicides occurring in other countries. Readers will root for Mani as she develops the courage to advocate for herself and other girls, even when it's frightening. A great introduction for middle-schoolers and tween readers to topics such as consent and the #MeToo movement. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
