Hispanic Star: Celia Cruz

by Claudia Romo Edelman, William Alexander, Alexandra Beguez (Illustrator)

Overview

Read about "La Reina de la Salsa" in Hispanic Star: Celia Cruz, and learn the most groundbreaking, iconic Hispanic and Latinx heroes that have shaped our culture and the world in this gripping biography series for young readers, perfect for fans of the Who Was series.

If you can see it, you can be it.

Meet the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz—once just a girl from Havana, Cuba, who loved to sing. Her soulful voice, compelling charm, and unstoppable determination led to her meteoric rise to fame, opening the door for Latinx performers everywhere. Her booming career took her from the Sonora Matancera to the Fania All-Stars, with the rising popularity of salsa, a genre born of Afro-Cuban musical stylings. Six decades and more than seventy albums later, Celia’s influence still has an undeniable hold on today’s music.

Hispanic Star proudly celebrates Hispanic and Latinx heroes who have made remarkable contributions to American culture and have been undeniable forces in shaping its future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250828132
Publisher:	Roaring Brook Press
Publication date:	09/06/2022
Series:	Hispanic Star , #2
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	380,059
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	1080L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Claudia Romo Edelman is the founder of the We Are All Human Foundation and Hispanic Star and has worked for twenty-five years with internationally recognized institutions, including the United Nations, the Global Fund, the World Economic Forum, and UNICEF. She’s led some of the most successful global campaigns in the last decade, including Product (RED), the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals in collaboration with the United Nations, the creation of the SDG Lions, and the rebranding of the UN Refugee Agency.

William Alexander is a National Book Award–winning Cuban American author who usually writes unrealisms, like Goblin Secrets, Ambassador, and A Properly Unhaunted Place. He teaches in the writing for children and young adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Editorial Reviews

★ 2022-09-14
A biography of iconic Afro-Cuban musician Celia Cruz that pays special attention to her early years.

Úrsula Hilaria Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso got her start in music when she was tasked with singing lullabies to young relatives at bedtime—Celia’s lullabies were so dynamic that the children stayed awake and demanded more songs instead of drifting off to sleep. With the encouragement of her favorite instructor, she set her plans to become a teacher aside in order to pursue a career in music. Celia’s meteoric rise to stardom was not without difficulty, but her hard work and support from family and fellow musicians kept her on track to becoming one of the most famous Latine singers in history. The book explores topics such as the prejudice Celia faced because of her darker skin, political turmoil in Cuba during the 1950s, and Celia’s painful exile from her home country, all within the context of her career and celebrity. It’s clear that Celia touched those around her with her dynamic talent and innovative musicality and used her status to advocate for others. Engaging illustrations and informative sidebars further enrich the heartfelt informational text. Positive affirmations are sprinkled throughout the book; readers will come away inspired to follow Celia’s positive example. Backmatter includes an author's note from Alexander and a note from the nonprofit organization Hispanic Star, which partnered with the publisher for this series.

A compelling look at the radiant life of La Reina de la Salsa. (facts) (Biography. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews

A Kirkus Best of the Year books for Middle Grade selection
A Teacher & Librarian FAVORITES 3rd-5th Grade selection

"A lyrical, informative chapter book biography of Celia Cruz, the Queen of ­Salsa. . . A must-purchase for all nonfiction shelves. Browsable and report-ready, this series debut brings the sweet story of la Reina de la Salsa to life. ¡Azúúúcar!" - School Library Journal, starred review

"Engaging illustrations and informative sidebars further enrich the heartfelt informational text. Positive affirmations are sprinkled throughout the book; readers will come away inspired to follow Celia’s positive example. . . A compelling look at the radiant life of La Reina de la Salsa." - Kirkus, starred review

Praise for Hispanic Star en español: Celia Cruz
"An excellent addition to Spanish-language biography collections for youth, focusing on a legendary figure of music who impacted not only Latin America, but the world as well." - School Library Journal

From the Publisher

09/23/2022

Gr 3–6—The incredible life of singer and Reina de la Salsa Celia Cruz is shared in this Spanish biography title, part of the "Hispanic Star" series. Beginning with Cruz's youth in the Santos Suárez neighborhood south of La Habana, Cuba, this title follows her as she begins to compete in and win contests with her unique voice, ultimately choosing a career as a singer and not a teacher, as her father wanted. The many complex challenges Cruz had to face—from her father's disapproval to clashing with Fidel Castro to leaving her family behind in Cuba—are shared along with her grand accomplishments and successes, including a great legacy that continues today. Cruz's larger-than-life personality and joy for life comes through in the text, as does the sorrow she lived through. The black-and-white illustrations and special block sections further help to bring the subject's world to life, providing additional information on things such as coffee and locations in Cuba, while the Spanish text welcomes readers as observers to Cruz's life. A special section following the text provides additional facts about Cruz, along with links to related websites. VERDICT An excellent addition to Spanish-language biography collections for youth, focusing on a legendary figure of music who impacted not only Latin America, but the world as well.—Selenia Paz

School Library Journal