Yulieta Lopez is trying to do it all. She is trying to be a dutiful daughter and avoid all trouble at school so as not to stress out her sick mother. She tries to be a good student, a good friend, and a good support for her activist college-age brother, but most of all, she is trying to make history by being the first black latine girl to be cast in a leading role at her Texas High School theater. But it's hard, oh, so hard, to not express her anger when her drama teacher repeatedly passes over Yuli because she isn't "quite right for the part" (i.e. white). Yuli must be thankful for what she gets, understudy parts and walk-on roles only- and as only long as she covers her hair.
The only place Yuli and her friends can find some peace on their school campus is in the classroom of Mr. Gonzalez (Mr. G), the Ethnic Studies teacher. Mr. G. offers them a space to be themselves, and even better, he has filled his classroom with books by BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors, allowing his students an opportunity to learn the stories of people who reflect their own experiences, to see themselves and their own stories and histories as valuable. That is, until the School Board finds out those books exist, and decides to remove all the books from the classroom. This is the moment when Yuli and her friends decide enough is enough, to use their frustrations, their strengths and passions to speak up and speak out, by starting a social justice club called ACT Now, who perform Guerrilla Theater.
"GUERRILLA THEATER:
is a style of theater where performers act out scenes
usually related to politics or social issues in different
public spaces...
GUERRILLA THEATER:
is the kind of theater that engages and inspires
is the kind of theater that can change the world."
This is a story is told through poetry and theater scenes, and works incredibly well as an audiobook. Read by the author, Jasminne Mendez, and a cast of actors giving voice and dimension to all the characters in the story, its like hearing a play, creating an immersive experience for the audience. The story is a reminder that we all have the power to effect change in the world. As Yuli's mom says,
"There's more than one way to make a difference.
If you want to change things for the better, find a way
To use your talents in a way that works for you."
Every month the SCCLD Teen Librarians choose one book as a great read from the library's Teen collection. This is the list of the latest picks of the month.
