Description
Description
Pura Belpré Award-winning author Ernesto Cisneros takes readers "back to the future" in this funny and heartfelt time-travel tale about family, grief, and love that stretches across the years. Give to readers who love Erin Entrada Kelly, Gordan Korman, and Jason Reynolds!
Quetzalcóatl Castillo--Queso for short--has had an ache in his heart that won't go away ever since his father's death. More than anything, he wishes he could spend time with his dad again.
After whispering that wish one night under the light of the moon, Queso wakes up the next morning in 1985. With twelve-year-old Pancho--the kid who will grow up to be his dad.
Even though he has no idea what to do, Queso is just happy to be by his dad's side again. But while Pancho is confident when scoring on the foosball table or standing up to bullies, he doesn't think he's smart enough to reach for his dreams.
If only Pancho believed in himself the way Queso does, who knows what his story could be?
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
"Cisneros has created another heartfelt middle grade tale centered around a devoted Mexican family, sprinkling the story with humor, empathy, LGBTQIA+ allyship, and Nahua folklore. Make space on the shelf for this tender and timely exploration of a family's shared history and the lasting echoes of a parent's love." - School Library Journal (starred review)
"The premise is gripping, and kind, considerate Queso is a relatable and well-developed lead. A hopeful, beautifully written page-turner." - Kirkus reviews (starred review)
"A tween receives a second chance to commune with his late father in this heartfelt time travel tale with Back to the Future flair. A gentle and thoughtful story brimming with familial love." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Cisneros has crafted a warm, feel-good tale founded on themes of friendship, kindness, family love, and inclusiveness that will leave readers amused and uplifted." - Booklist
"Ernesto Cisneros combines bold storytelling with fearless humor to craft the kind of stories we all wish we had as kids." - Chris Baron, award-winning author of All of Me
"A beautiful story of family, love, loss, and dreams." - Frederico Erebia, Lambda Literary Award winner for Pedro & Daniel
"Readers will love this nuanced and deeply satisfying story." - Megan E. Freeman, New York Times bestselling author of Alone
"Funny, heartfelt and hopeful, Queso, Just in Time is the modern-day take on Back to the Future that we all need." - Rajani LaRocca, Newbery Honor-winning author of Red, White, and Whole
"This story is a reminder that the bookshelves of today are meant to hold space for all children to see themselves." - Elisa Stone Leahy, author of Mallory in Full Color
"Unforgettable! Inspiring! You'll love this heartwarming time-traveling tale of friendship, family, and healing the past to help the present. An adventure you'll wish didn't end." - Torrey Maldonado, author of Tight
"This book will fill you with hope and turn the page toward healing." - Alison Green Myers, Schneider Family Book Award-winning author of A Bird Will Soar
"Cisneros explores grief and courage in a way that invites young readers to embrace the past while looking forward to the future." - Shawn Peters, author of The Unforgettable Logan Foster
"With themes of love, loss, and the bonds we choose, Queso, Just in Time honors both the family we're born into and the one we build along the way." - -Lori Polydoros, Author of Quake Chasers: 15 Women Rocking Earthquake Science
"Cisneros pulls off an amazing magic trick in this time travel adventure, intertwining grief with humor while also profoundly showing the transformative power of books." - Lisa Moore Ramee, Author of A Good Kind of Trouble
"An ode to books and their healing power." - Sarah Scheerger, author of Operation Frog Effect
"A tender surprise, sprinkled throughout with gentle humor." - Padma Venkatraman, Walter Dean Myers Award-winning author of The Bridge Home
"Ernesto Cisneros is changing the way middle grade books are written." - E Train Talks Podcast
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
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