MANI SEMILLA FINDS HER QUETZAL VOICE

Inspired by her aunt, who was an activist in Guatemala, a 12-year-old finds the courage to stand up to rampant sexual harassment at school.

Manuela Semilla’s grandmother is losing her memory, but she urges her granddaughter to find her “quetzal voice.” Mani initially struggles to understand what Abuelita means, and why she’s comparing her to a quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala, which, according to Mayan legend, hasn’t sung heartily since before the Spanish invasion centuries ago. Mani, who’s of Guatemalan, Filipino, and Chinese descent, sometimes feels torn between her family’s opinions and what she wants to do as a contemporary American preteen, such as wearing clothes her mami deems immodest. Her adolescent angst—over everything from debating when she should speak up to fretting over not getting her period yet—is extensively and realistically conveyed. Teachers are condescending. Boys are mean if not outright abusive. Her mother is unfair for forcing Mani to visit Guatemala this summer. But after Mani finds letters from her late Tía Beatriz describing her bravery in speaking out about violence against women, she begins to observe a common thread between the injustices her aunt fought and the bullying and harassment that her school administration allows to escalate. Mani’s feelings evolve into a firm resolve to help make things better. The second half of the story flows well, culminating in heartwarming moments of understanding between Mani and Mami, as well as actionable steps toward real, positive change.

A poignant, feminist coming-of-age story.