Todo O Nada, Valentina

Gr 4-7--Newbery Honor Award-winning Arango's Spanish-language translation of It's All or Nothing, Vale introduces readers to Valentina "Vale" Camacho, a middle school fencing champion whose courage is tested after surviving a car accident. Family and friends rally around Vale, but she has new competition at the gym: Myrka. Vale hasn't made a close friend in years, and Myrka's presence is unsettling. Can Vale learn to be a team player and still keep her competitive edge? Arango gives her protagonist a telling nickname which is a play on words; by tale's end, Valentina realizes her true value lies not in being perfect, but in demonstrating generosity of spirit. Written entirely in verse, this coming-of-age story focuses on two female athletes whose parents are from Puerto Rico and Cuba. It is a must-read for teen audiences seeking heroines who have close-knit families but branch out to find themselves through sport and new relationships. Arango's third novel is a delight. She deftly explores the girls' crushes, their competitive natures, and the ways diverse influences shape the choices they make. Readers who enjoy quick dialogue sprinkled with English and Spanish slang will appreciate how Vale gains strength to overcome her struggles and become the genuine article in her community. VERDICT A must-have selection for Spanish-language middle grade collections.--Sharon Sherman

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This novel promises to be the rapier to the heart the reader needs to take control of their own choices.

Moving and insightful.

Before enduring a serious leg injury, Puerto Rican seventh grader Valentina "Vale" Mari Camacho was a top-ranked fencer. Now she deals with chronic pain that keeps her from competing as well as she'd like, which often leaves her frustrated, as previous pressure from her parents (Mami "used to tell me second place was the same as last") resulted in her conflating her self-worth with her fencing skills. Vale's older brother Manu tries to distract her by introducing her to hobbies such as art and video games, but nothing satisfies her the way fencing used to. Pushing herself to get better, Vale attends practice but feels threatened when Cuban American teammate Myrka proves a more formidable opponent than before. As she grapples with jealousy over Myrka's improved abilities, Vale also contends with budding attraction for her teammate. Fluid verse by Arango (Something Like Home) aptly conveys all the tension, frustration, and confusion plaguing Vale. Despite the support of well-meaning adults, it's Vale's peer group that most effectively facilitates her satisfying emotional arc in a narrative that highlights chosen family and the integral part it plays in forming one's sense of self. Ages 10-14. Agent: Rebecca Eskildsen, Writers House. (Feb.)

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