Best Believe: The Tres Hermanas, a Sisterhood for the Common Good

by Nonieqa Ramos (Author) Nicole Medina (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Meet the Tres Hermanas: Evelina Antonetty, Lillian López, and Elba Cabrera. 

They moved from Puerto Rico to New York City as children and grew up to become leaders in their Bronx community. Evelina, an activist for social causes, founded United Bronx Parents. Lillian became a librarian and administrator who fought for Spanish and bilingual books and Spanish-speaking library staff. Elba worked closely with Evelina and became an ambassador and advocate for the arts.

Rhythmic verse by NoNieqa Ramos and vibrant illustrations by Nicole Medina provide a stirring look at three dynamic changemakers.

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Hardcover
$18.99

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

"The Bronx is a library of stories./ Of poetry in graffiti./ Of sheroes who have changed history," declares Ramos at the start of this reverent homage to Puerto Rico-born "Bronx royalty" Evelina Antonetty, Lillian López, and Elba Cabrera. Through the refrain "you best believe," rhythmic verse lays out the activist sisters' life work. In the face of systemic discrimination, Antonetty becomes a community organizer who demands better school conditions, librarian and library coordinator López works to put Spanish and bilingual books on the shelves, and Cabrera works as an ambassador for the arts. Medina's digital illustrations have a sumptuous risograph-like quality, rendering a floral motif alongside images of "Tres Hermanas" working powerfully in concert. An author's note and glossary conclude. Ages 6-10. (Feb.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Kirkus

Stories of important Puerto Rican women, told vividly.

Review quotes

"Medina's digital illustrations have a sumptuous risograph-like quality, rendering a floral motif alongside images of "Tres Hermanas" working powerfully in concert. An author's note and glossary conclude."—Publishers Weekly

— (12/8/2023 12:00:00 AM)
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781728460444
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Carolrhoda Books (R)
Publication date
February 20, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF007110 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Social Activists
JNF007120 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Women
JNF071000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Social Activism & Volunteering
Library of Congress categories
New York (State)
New York
Sisters
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Biography & Autobiograp
Social change
Political activity
Bronx (New York, N.Y.)
Puerto Ricans
Puerto Rican women
Women political activists
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Activism & Social Justi

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