TACO TUESDAYS

Tweens cook up traditional recipes and romance in their race to save a beloved restaurant.

Ever since seventh grader Dulce Díaz’s great-grandmother, Bisabuela, passed away, the family’s Mexican restaurant has struggled to drum up enough business. Now, with a new Taco World chain restaurant competing for business across the street, Dulce’s family must get creative to stay afloat—but Dulce doesn’t think the gimmicks they’re trying feel authentic to Bisabuela’s memory. Flor, Dulce’s older sister, plans to host a cooking-themed summer camp, but Dulce is mortified to find that the most obnoxious boys in school, along with the cute new kid, have enrolled. Healthy competition ensues; meanwhile, Dulce and Italian American new boy Julian DeMarco grow closer over their love of cooking. Julian, who’s reeling from his food vlogger parents’ separation and moving from New York to California, wants to help Dulce save the restaurant. Together with friends from camp, Dulce and Julian work to bring customers in before it’s too late, and they’ll need Bisabuela’s recipes to do it. Warm dialogue and authentic emotions propel the plot toward a satisfying conclusion. Readers will be left hungry for more as they root for Dulce and her family in this heartwarming tale of resilience, tradition, and community.

A flavorful story that serves up a satisfying blend of friendship and determination.