There’s been a lot of discussion recently in Arizona about how English language learners are taught to speak English. But a new picture book for kids takes a different approach to that question.
Over the past year, The Show has heard from authors of books for middle-grade and young adult readers dealing with issues of race, gender, disability and socioeconomic differences, among other things. It’s a series called Lit Squad — and in this episode, The Show spoke with author Mónica Mancillas.
Her book "How to Speak in Spanglish" follows Sami, who speaks both English and Spanish — sometimes at the same time. But not everyone in his world, or in his family, appreciates and approves of that.
More Lit Squad stories
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A 13-year-old girl is preparing for her bat mitzvah, even though her family rarely goes to synagogue. At the same time, Zippy believes she’s a witch. That is the premise of the latest children’s novel from Laurel Snyder, called "The Witch of Woodland." -
Thousands of Japanese-Americans were held in internment camps in Arizona during World War II. MichiNishiura Weglyn was one of them — along with her family. Ken Mochizuki tells her story. -
Maria Ingrande Mora is a writer and content designer who lives in Florida. She talked about how she writes about something like anxiety — which some number of her readers likely also deal with — while keeping it authentic. -
The Show spoke with author Celia Pérez about her book "Tumble" and how the main character's story is someone many other children can relate to. -
The Show starts a new season of Lit Squad with a conversation with "The Hate U Give" author Angie Thomas about her new book that explores the world of fantasy fiction.
