Un Deseo Para Una Estrella (Wish Upon a Stray) - by Yamile Saied Méndez (Paperback)

About the Book

Publisher Annotation: A heartwarming and authentic immigration story about a stray dog, the power of music, and celebrating old traditions along with new beginnings. Marâia Emilia's life turns upside-down when she and her family immigrate from Argentina to the US. How can she make new friends when simply speaking English all day is exhausting? Luckily, she has the company of a stray dog in the neighborhood, who happens to look and act just like her beloved pet cat back home. Eventually, it turns out the pup isn't a stray after all -- she belongs to Marâia Emilia's new neighbor, Donovan. In order to spend more time with the dog (who totally isn't her reincarnated cat... right?), she agrees to sing in Donovan's band. But can Emilia find her new voice without losing herself?

Book Synopsis

A heartwarming and authentic immigration story about a stray dog, the power of music, and celebrating old traditions along with new beginnings, by Pura Belpré Award-winning author Yamile Saied Méndez.

La vida de María Emilia se vuelve patas arriba cuando ella y su familia migran desde Argentina a Estados Unidos. ¿Cómo puede hacer amigos si tan solo hablar inglés el día entero es agotador?

Por suerte tiene la compañía de una perrita callejera que luce y se comporta exactamente como una gata que tenía en su país natal. Más tarde resulta que no es una perrita callejera, sino que pertenece a Donovan, el nuevo vecino de María Emilia. Para poder pasar más tiempo con la perrita (que de ninguna manera es su gata reencarnada... ¿cierto?), accede a cantar en la banda de Donovan, pero ¿podrá Emilia encontrar su nueva voz sin dejar de ser lo que fue?

María Emilia's life turns upside-down when she and her family immigrate from Argentina to the US. How can she make new friends when simply speaking English all day is exhausting?

Luckily, she has the company of a stray dog in the neighborhood, who happens to look and act just like her beloved pet cat back home. Eventually, it turns out the pup isn't a stray after all -- she belongs to María Emilia's new neighbor, Donovan. In order to spend more time with the dog (who totally isn't her reincarnated cat... right?), she agrees to sing in Donovan's band. But can Emilia find her new voice without losing herself?

About the Author

Yamile (sha-MEE-lay) Saied Méndez is the author of Blizzard Besties, Random Acts of Kittens, Wish Upon a Stray, and many other books for young readers, including Furia, a Reese's YA Book Club selection and winner of a Pura Belpré YA Author Medal. She was born and raised in Rosario, Argentina, and now lives in Utah with her family. A Walter Dean Myers Grant recipient, she is also a graduate of the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Connect with her at yamilesmendez.com.