For Ages
8 to 12

A poignant coming-of-age story about a Cuban American girl trying to figure out where she belongs—both in her ballet-loving family and the wider world. Perfect for fans of Front Desk and Merci Suárez Changes Gears.

“An important and honest look at immigration, racial inequities, and understanding how one person can make a difference.” —School Library Journal

It’s a good thing Sofía Acosta loves dreaming up costumes, because otherwise, she’s a ballet disaster—unlike her parents, who danced under…

An Excerpt fromSofía Acosta Makes a Scene

CHAPTER ONE

Tricia and I are holding left pinkies under our desks, which always works. It’s how we managed to be the only fifth graders to have been in the same class every single year of elementary school: we held left pinkies under the desks whenever a teacher talked about the next year. Now it’s Thursday after school and Mrs. Kalinack, the school secretary, is visiting our classroom to talk about the epic party she’s organizing for our teacher, Mr. Fallon. Mr. Fallon is from Ireland but has been teaching at Pine Hill Elementary for years. Over the summer, he became a United States citizen. Mrs. Kalinack says that means he belongs in the country as much as anyone who was born here, and he has new rights and responsibilities. That’s the boring part.

The exciting part is that our school is going to throw a big party to congratulate him. There are going to be flag cupcakes and red-white-and-blue decorations, and the gym will hardly look like a school gym by the time we finish. Mrs.

Under the Cover