LUPE LOPEZ

First grade rock star Lupe Lopez struggles when a newcomer steals her thunder.

Lupe and her all-girl band are gearing up for the talent show at Héctor P. Garcia Elementary. When new student Radiant Reynosa arrives at school, she quickly commands an audience as she shows off her dance moves and drumming skills. Lupe’s band invites Radiant to join, and the rivalry between the two girls soon grows. Radiant has plenty of feedback on pitch, tempo, and guitar tuning, all of which is getting to Lupe, who calls Radiant a bossy show-off. A pep talk from her teacher reminds Lupe that stars shine brightest when they beam together. Radiant helps Lupe understand the difficulties of being a new student, and the two forge a new friendship. Lupe’s and Radiant’s relatable experiences make for a useful demonstration about resolving interpersonal tension. Cepeda’s energetic illustrations—some full-page, some a cluster of scenes—complement the text and are an integrative part of the storytelling. Though tales of friendship woes are as old as time, this take will resonate with little readers newly experiencing these hallmarks of childhood. Lupe is brown-skinned and Latine, while Radiant presents Black; background characters vary in skin tone.

A familiar situation presented in a new—and appealing—package.