Episode 251 with Alexandra Alessandri, Author of Grow Up, Luchy Zapata; Lupita’s Hurricane Palomitas, and Other Beautiful, Affirming Books for Children and All Readers

Notes and Links to Alexandra Alessandri’s Work

 

   For Episode 251, Pete welcomes Alexandra Alessandri, and the two discuss, among other topics, her early experiences with Spanish and English and bilingualism, formative and transformative writers and writing (Marquez! Allende! Santiago!), both past and present, representation in children’s lit and beyond, muses and the Las Musas Collective that spurs on her writing, soccer fanaticism, and salient themes and issues in her work like reassurance for children in a scary world, family bonds, community, inevitable change, and biculturalism.

 

   Alexandra Alessandri is the author of several books for children, including Feliz New Year, Ava Gabriela! (2020), Isabel and Her Colores Go to School (2021), The Enchanted Life of Valentina Mejía (2023), Our World Colombia (2024), Lupita’s Hurricane Palomitas (2024), and Grow Up, Luchy Zapata (2024), which is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Her short story “Kaleidoscope” is forthcoming in the YA verse anthology All The Love Under the Vast Sky (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2025). Her books have gone on to receive numerous distinctions, including the Florida Book Award, International Latino Book Award, Américas Award Commendable Title, and the ILA 2022 Children’s and Young Adults’ Book Award in Primary Fiction.

   The daughter of Colombian immigrants, Alexandra is a former Associate Professor of English at Broward College, where she currently teaches as an adjunct, and an instructor at UCLA Extension’s Writers’ Program. She is also a writer for Curriculum Associates and a poet, with some of her work appearing in The Acentos Review, Rio Grande Review, Atlanta Review, and Young Adult Review Network. She received her BA and MA degrees in English from Florida International University and a Certificate in Fiction Writing from UCLA Extension.

   Alexandra’s experience growing up straddling both cultures often influences her children’s fiction and poetry. When not writing or teaching, Alexandra spends her time planning the next great adventure with her husband and son, with whom she lives in South Florida. 

 

Buy Grow Up, Luchy Zapata

 

Review by Amanda MacGregor for Teen Librarian Toolbox

 

Alexandra's Website

 

At about 2:30, Alexandra talks about an exciting 2024

At about 3:15, Alexandra describes her multifaceted language background

At about 4:30, Alexandra outlines the memorable “atmosphere” and the reading nooks of the libraries of her childhood, as well as what series and books she was into

At about 6:10, Alexandra reflects on how she didn’t always see herself reflected in what she read growing up, and how that has informed her own writing journey

At about 7:30, Reading nook discussion!

At about 8:15, Alexandra talks about a pivotal moment in her reading and representation as she wanted to do her masters thesis 

At about 9:20, Gabo fan girling and boying, as Pete again shouts out “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World” and “Someone Has Been Disarranging These Roses” 

At about 11:00, Alexandra talks about writers who made her want to become a writer herself-transformational writers like Isabel Allende and Esmeralda Santiago 

At about 12:30, Alexandra shouts out Adriana Cuevas, Rebecca Balcárcel and other contemporaries who thrill and inspire her, including Las Musas, a collective 

At about 14:20, Alexandra responds to Pete’s questions about genres and where she places herself

At about 15:30, Alexandra responds to Pete’s questions about if/how she reads differently as an author

At about 16:30, Pete cites the greatness of Ingrid Rojas Contreras

At about 16:55, Pete asks about Alexandra’s muses within her own family, and the two discuss the vagaries of middle school and its changes

At about 19:40, Pete recounts Luchy Zapata’s first line and dedication and some of the book’s exposition

At about 22:00, Cami is analyzed as “the perfect Colombian,” as is Nucita brand

At about 23:45, Alexandra discusses makeup as a “rite of passage,” in relation to Luchy’s thoughts in the book

At about 25:50, Alexandra breaks down a hurtful comment from the book

At about 26:50, Pete asks Alexandra about the character of Melissa and ideas of “reinventing” oneself 

At about 27:55, Awkwardness between good friends is discussed, as is a meaningful scrapbook

At about 29:25, Luchy and his father’s relationship, especially through soccer’s importance, is explored

At about 31:55, Luchy’s short foray into being more like Cami and ideas of “being true to yourself” are discussed

At about 34:45, Alexandra discusses insecurity and confusion involving Luchy’s views on her heritage

At about 36:00, Pete highlights the book’s greatness in its hyperspecificity and also its universal issues/themes; Alexandra cites her history and her son’s history in crafting Luchy’s character

At about 38:20, Alexandra expands on the various uses of “gringita” in Colombia 

At about 39:35, Mateo and his friendship and his family troubles are discussed

At about 40:45, Pete asks Alexandra about how her book was informed by the immediacy of adolescent issues

At about 43:10, The discussion of Lupita’s Hurricane Palomitas begins, as the two talk about various meanings of “palomitas”-shoutout to AC Quintero!

At about 44:15, Alexandra talks about what it’s like living in a hurricane zone

At about 45:40, Alexandra reflects on ideas of communities coming together after disasters, as plays out in her children’s book

At about 46:40, Pete cites Levar Burton’s The Rhino Who Swallowed the Storm and Lupita and books that bring comfort and reassurance to kids, and Pete discusses an early story he wrote gone wrong

At about 49:40, Alexandra shares exciting new projects, including a personal piece coming out in January 

At about 51:15, Alexandra gives contact info, social media info, and places to buy her book, including the great Books and Books

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    Please tune in for Episode 252 with Byron Graves. He is an Ojibwe writer born and raised on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Minnesota, where he played high school basketball. When he isn't writing, he can be found playing retro video games, spending time with his family, or cheering on his beloved Minnesota Timberwolves. Rez Ball is his debut novel.

The episode will go live on September 10. 

Lastly, please go to ceasefiretoday.com/, which features 10+ actions to help bring about Ceasefire in Gaza.