WIRE SERVICES LIKE ASSOCIATED PRESS AND REUTERS
A wire service is an organization that supplies news to newspapers, radio, and television stations electronically. Most news content comes from wire services, and I incorporated them into the scenes where Emilia reads archived news stories for her history project.
Also, I would encourage readers to subscribe to their local newspapers (as Emilia does through her library). This will help these news organizations employ journalists who attend city hall and school board meetings, and who hold elected officials accountable.
NATIONAL IMMIGRANTS’ RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
www.aclu.org
The ACLU has existed for almost 100 years. This nonprofit and nonpartisan organization works to defend the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to everyone in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States. There is an ACLU chapter in every state, and I encourage readers to look up their own state chapters to learn more about what’s happening in their communities. It certainly helps Emilia!
Anti-Defamation League
www.adl.org
The Anti-Defamation League was first created in the early 1900s to combat anti-Semitism (discrimination and prejudice against Jews). The league’s current mission is to “secure justice and fair treatment to all.”
National Immigration Law Center
www.nilc.org
It is the mission of the National Immigration Law Center to fight against policies that ignore the fundamental rights of immigrants. They aim to do this through research, policy analysis, litigation, and community resources.
RESOURCES FOR NEURODIVERSITY
Child Mind Institute
www.childmind.org
The Child Mind Institute is an independent nonprofit organization that helps children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders. According to their research, “of the 74.5 million children living in the United States, an estimated 17.1 million have or have had a mental disorder.” By conducting research on brain development and sharing resources with parents and educators, the Child Mind Institute is doing great work in the field.
Emilia, like my own daughter, has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Resources from the Child Mind Institute helped me capture the way a child with ADHD becomes intensely focused on something that interests them. This is why Emilia sometimes has trouble with Language Arts homework, for example, which does not interest her as much as Mr. Richt’s class.
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
www.chadd.org
CHADD is a national nonprofit that provides education, advocacy, and support for individuals with ADHD. The organization also publishes a number of printed materials to inform on current ADHD research.
VETERANS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS
Bob Woodruff Foundation
https://bobwoodrufffoundation.org/
Bob Woodruff was a journalist who was critically injured while reporting in 2006. During his recovery, he and his wife were introduced to many families of service members dealing with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries. The Woodruff family created this foundation to help military service members and veterans struggling with these issues and many more.
Semper Fi Fund
www.semperfifund.org
This highly rated charity is dedicated to providing critical support and resources to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families in need.
United Service Organizations (USO)
www.uso.org
The USO supports active military and veterans with many programs and services. They are known for the shows they put on to entertain troops, but they also help soldiers stay connected to their families and assist with the transition back into their communities after service. Take a look at the “Stories” section of their website for real-life accounts and profiles about individuals and families of members serving in our Armed Forces.
Okay, Reader: go, find your spark.
All my best,
Pablo
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book needs a whole other chapter to cover the gratitude I have to the people and organizations that helped me realize my vision for this story.
To my publisher, Namrata Tripathi, and the incredibly talented team at Kokila. You challenge, you question, you support, you set a high standard, and for this I am a better writer and ever grateful to be part of such an important imprint. Also, a BIG shout-out to the Penguin Young Readers team, including the School & Library department; my publicist, Kaitlin Kneafsey; and so many others. You are all rock stars and I am so grateful to you for putting my books out into the world. ¡Mil gracias!
My many thanks to my editor, Joanna Cárdenas. THREE BOOKS together and every single one has been an incredible journey. You understand my work and push hard to help me get the story where it needs to be. Eres un tesoro.
To my agent, Jess Regel, and the team at Foundry Literary + Media, thank you for your support. Jess, you are more than an agent. You’re an advocate, a supporter, a dear, dear friend.
I did a great deal of research for this book and there are a few individuals I’d like to give a shout-out to.
Vanessa Walker-Wilfong, mi hermana, who has worked in the Georgia Public School system since 2005 and who spent countless hours with me talking about Georgia Education standards, rules, regulations, and more. There are not enough words—or pastelitos—I can offer to express my love and gratitude. Te quiero.
My sincerest thanks to the following people for their consultation on the military aspects of the novel: USMC Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Busch, a friend and darn good actor, author, and all-around great human; the incredible Brian Turner, writer and US Army combat veteran; and Ray Ramos, Army Vietnam veteran. In addition, I want to thank the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that is there for veterans as they take their first steps into civilian life. I truly appreciate the work you do for our veterans.
A special thanks to Dr. Cristina Rhodes, who provided a wealth of academic papers and incredible resources to pore through about neurodiversity and Afro-Caribbean studies to help me dig even deeper. ¡Gracias!
A huge thank you to sculptor, cartoonist, installation artist, and teacher, Shing Yin Khor, who shared essential feedback on the welding scenes between Emilia and her father. My work is better for her careful observations and suggestions. I’d also like to thank the American Welding Society, which made available countless lessons on welding and handbooks that I’m still trying to decipher.
Señor Pedro Cárdenas, sir, I owe you a tremendous thanks. You gave sooo many great suggestions and details about the auto body shop business. ¡Gracias! Oh, and I hear you also make a mean paella so, I may be asking for some tips on that as well, if that’s okay with you. :)
Big shout-out to Daniel José Older for helping me understand the nuance of Santeria language as well as my sister-in-law, Kiany Cartaya, and brother-in-law, Ramon Alexis Monje, for your insight into the character of Emilia’s mother and her Santera roots. Much respect and love to you all.
To my mother, who is strong, and loving, and unwavering in her commitment to her family. Mami: you left once to pursue an opportunity and I’m so proud that I get to experience your shine. Te quiero.
Thank you, Papi, for your lessons, talks, and quiet determination in the face of great difficulty. To my brothers, Danny and Guillo, and my extended family and friends: as always, thank you for your support and love. Los quiero mucho. Y gracias a Abuelo y Abuela for always protecting us.
To my daughter and son, who are the models for Emilia and Gus: you are kind and smart and so much better than I ever was at your age. I am in awe of you. And thank you to my little Paloma, who has only just arrived and is already making an impact for good. And, as always
, to the woman who gives meaning to everything I do: Rebecca, eres todo.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pablo Cartaya is an award-winning author, speaker, actor, and educator. In 2018, he received a Pura Belpré Author Honor for his middle grade novel, The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora. His second novel, Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish, is available now. Learn more about Pablo at pablocartaya.com and follow him on Twitter @phcartaya.
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