An insightful novel in verse about the joys and struggles of a Chicana
girl who is a warrior for her name, her history, and her right to choose
what she celebrates in life.
Celina and her family are bilingual and follow both Mexican and American
traditions. Celina revels in her Mexican heritage, but once she starts
school it feels like the world wants her to erase that part of her
identity. Fortunately, she's got an army of family and three fabulous
new friends behind her to fight the ignorance. But it's her Gramma who's
her biggest inspiration, encouraging Celina to build a shield of joy
around herself*. Because when you're celebrating, when you find a reason
to sing or dance or paint or play or laugh or write, they haven't taken
everything away from you.* Of course, it's not possible to stay in
celebration mode when things get dire--like when her dad's deported and
a pandemic hits--but if there is anything Celina's sure of, it's that
she'll always live up to her last name: Guerrera--woman warrior--and
that she will use her voice and writing talents to show the world it's a
more beautiful place because people like her are in it.