Adventure in the City of Stories

Adventure in the City of Stories

• When stolen artifacts magically appear in their aunt’s closet, cousins Jorge, Camila, and Siggy travel back in time to 1930 New York City to clear her name before history is irreparably altered in this companion to the “spellbinding” (School Library Journal, starred review)Cousins in the Time of Magic.
  
  Cousins Jorge, Camila, and Siggy never imagined that dusty old puppets and a mysterious book would launch them into a time-traveling adventure. But when they discover their aunt has treasures belonging to Pura Belpré, the trailblazing Latina librarian and storyteller, they’re transported back to 1930s New York City. Their mission? Race against time to return Pura’s puppets and a signed first edition of her book, proving their aunt isn’t a thief.
  
  The past is full of danger, though. A powerful woman will stop at nothing to steal the book, the cousins’ nosy neighbor is snooping around, and the hardship of the Great Depression is all around them. Luckily Jorge, Camila, and Siggy meet Antonia, a fierce Puerto Rican girl fighting injustice against her community.
  
  The cousins will need courage, quick thinking, and a little help from history to protect Pura Belpré’s legacy, clear their aunt’s name, and make it back home. Can they pull it off before time runs out?Emma Otheguy is the author of several books for young readers, including the picture books A Sled for Gabo and Martina Has Too Many Tías, the bilingual picture book Martí’s Song for Freedom, and the middle grade novels Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene, Cousins in the Time of Magic, Silver Meadows Summer, and, with Adam Gidwitz, The Madre de Aguas of Cuba, part of the Unicorn Rescue Society series. Visit her at EmmaOtheguy.com.
  
  Poly Bernatene was born in 1972 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and has been drawing ever since. He graduated from Buenos Aires’s art school, where he developed a great interest in managing different techniques in his work. He has worked in advertisement, animation, and comics. During the last fifteen years, he has established an exciting career as a professional illustrator, having published more than sixty children’s books in eleven countries.Reading Group Guide
  
  Adventure in the City of Stories
  
  By Emma Otheguy
  
  About the Book
  
  Jorge, Camila, and Siggy are back for another time-traveling journey as they race to clear Tía Xía’s name! She has been accused of stealing valuable artifacts: a signed copy of a picture book by the famous librarian Pura Belpré, and two handmade puppets. The cousins are sent back to 1930s New York City in the midst of the Great Depression when even paper for printing books was considered a luxury. Antonia, an outspoken Puerto Rican girl, rescues the cousins after they’re also accused of theft by a wealthy socialite. With the power of community and storytelling on their side, Jorge, Camila, and Siggy concoct a wild plan to amend the wrongdoings against their family and Antonia’s, but will time turn against them?
  
  Discussion Questions
  
  1. Camila, Tía Xía, Gabriela Mistral, and Antonia are all accused of wrongdoing. What are the similarities in their stories, and why does it matter that they are all women and girls?
  
  2. Cooper seems to have it in for the Hernández family, showing prejudiced behavior and bullying them. How would you deal with bullying and prejudice? Why do you think Cooper acts this way? Use examples from the book and from your own experience to answer.
  
  3. Tía Xía explains that Pura Belpré’s version of “La Cucaracha Martina” was “‘More than impressive. Bold. Radical.’” (Chapter two) Explain wh
• Otheguy, Emma
• ISBN: 9781665915212