Wednesday, July 18, 2012

BORDER TOWN a New Teen Series by Malin Alegria



Border Town #1: Crossing the Line


In Dos Rios, Texas, life is all about borders -- and what happens when you cross the line.

Nothing is simple in a border town like Dos Rios, in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Even for high school students Fabiola Garza and her younger sister Alexis, whose parents run a local Tex-Mex restaurant, Dos Rios is full of borders -- where you should go, who your friends should be, which boy you should date.

Dos Rios is also full of opportunities, but it's a town divided, between the haves and the have-nots, the Whites and the Mexicans-Americans, the Texans and the Mexicans, the legal and illegal. But through it all, the Garza sisters have each other. Water can be crossed, but blood is the ultimate borderline -- no matter what.


Border Town #2: Quince Clash


In Dos Rios, Texas, life is all about borders -- and what happens when you cross the line. A fresh new series in the tradition of Bluford High explores what it's like to grow up on the edge.

A quinceañera for the record books?

If Fabiola Garza had her way, her quinceañera would be as simple and as non-traditional as possible-just two airline tickets to New York City and her best friend in town. Sadly, things hardly ever go Fabi's way.

After mean girl Melodee lays down a quinceañera challenge in front of the entire school, Fabi is forced to upgrade her party plans. Melodee is rich and popular-her quinceañera will be effortlessly epic. Fabi is at a loss as to how to make her party remotely as fun and fabulous as Melodee's is sure to be. Younger sister Alexis steps in with a scheme to get Fabi on the TV show Quince Dreams-but Fabi isn't convinced she won't end up in a quince nightmare instead.


Border Town #3: Falling Too Fast 


In Dos Rios, Texas, things aren't always as they seem.

Alexis Garza has music in her blood. She's certain that one day, she'll be leaving the border town of Dos Rios, Texas behind for a glamorous life of singing stardom. Until then, however, she'll have to content herself with belting her heart out at voice classes, going to high school mariachi band practice, and helping out at the Garza family restaurant.

Alexis's ordinary life takes a turn for the extraordinary when she meets the swoon-worthy lead singer of a rival high school's mariachi band. His singing (and his smile) make Alexis melt. There's one small problem-- this suave singer doesn't seem to know that Alexis exists. She's determined to make herself heard-- no matter what the cost.


Border Town #4: No Second Chances


In Dos Rios, Texas, things aren't always as they seem.

Santiago might be in over his head this time. . .

Santiago's grades are slipping again, but he's determined to prove to his family that he can be successful at something, even if it's not school. When a fancy new taco chain moves in across the street from the Garza family restaurant, Santiago is inspired-- he'll open a food business of his own!

Unfortunately, running a business is not as much fun as Santiago thought it would be. Fabi and Alexis keep interfering, customers aren't easily won over, and even worse, El Payaso is back in Santiago's life-- and just waiting for him to mess up.


La autora/ The author


Malín Alegría is the author of Estrella’s Quinceañera and Sofi Mendoza’s Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico. She currently lives in San Francisco, CA, where she teaches, writes, and spends as much time as possible playing in the dirt. Visit her online at 


No comments: