WHAT THE JAGUAR TOLD HER

In many ways, Jade is a typical middle schooler.

She loves running and art and is working hard to make friends at her new Catholic school after a move to Atlanta from Chicago for her mom’s new job as a CNN anchorwoman. In a magical departure from the expected, Jade discovers a jaguar living in the woods behind her home who takes the shape of Itztli, an amiable elder who shares with her art and incredible oral history reaching back to Mesoamerican civilizations just when she needs it the most. Jade is astounded to find that the challenges that Itztli describes in his stories mirror the difficulties she herself is facing in 2001, from getting her first period to making a home in a new place. Jade’s maternal heritage is Mexican, and her dad has Irish ancestry; Jade’s light skin, blond hair, and green eyes bring intricacy to her Latina experience, especially since her sister’s complexion is darker. The novel explores themes of identity, friendship, crushes, loss, and looking for answers to life’s toughest questions in sumptuous detail. A coming-of-age story with parallels to Judy Blume’s classic Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret., this work captures the complexities of being a tween girl seeking to find her place in the world and connections to ancestors through a Latine cultural lens.

A thoughtful, richly woven tapestry illuminating the pains and joys of growing up.