The Fresh New Face of Griselda

By Jennifer Torres

•                Age Range: 9 - 12 years
•             Grade Level: 3 - 7
•             Hardcover: 256 pages
•             Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
•             Language: English
•             ISBN-10: 0316452602
•             ISBN-13: 978-0316452601

A moving coming-of-age novel about one girl's struggles after her parents lose their home, and her journey to find hope in family and friendship, from Jennifer Torres, the author of Stef Soto, Taco Queen.

Griselda "Geez" Zaragoza has a love for beautiful things, like her collection of vintage teacups and the flower garden she and her dad planted in the front yard. But when his business fails, Griselda loses not just her home, but also her confidence and her trust in her unflappable parents.

Tagging along with big sister Maribel, who postponed college for a job selling Alma Cosmetics, Geez dreams up a way to reclaim the life she thinks she lost. If she can sell enough tubes of glistening, glittery Alma lip gloss, she'll win a cash prize that could help jump start her dad's business.

With ups and downs along the way, Geez will discover that beauty isn't just lost or found, but made and re-made.

Review

"Fans of Kelly Yang's Front Desk (2018) will enjoy Geez' entrepreneurial spirit and appreciate another strong-minded young woman of color seeking ways to relieve her family's financial burden. An enjoyable story about the ingenuity and bonds that help a family withstand tough times."―Kirkus Reviews

Jennifer Torres is an award-winning writer and the author of The Fresh New Face of Griselda, Flor and Miranda Steal the Show, Stef Soto, Taco Queen, and Finding the Music/En pos de la música. A former journalist, her work is inspired by her Mexican-American heritage. She lives with her family in Southern California. Visit her online at www.jenntorres.com.