Author: Alexandra Alessandri

It’s been a while, hasn’t it? There’ve been many changes happening over on my side. This past August, I resigned from my full-time position as Associate Professor of English and transition to an adjunct role. I’ll still be teaching, but I’ll be doing so in a fully online, part-time capacity, which is the right move for my health and my family. Still, it’s been an interesting transition period. I’m still trying to find my new rhythm.

But it’s also been an exciting few months! On July 15, my second children’s book, Isabel and Her Colores Go to School, released!

It’s been received so wonderfully. It received a starred review from School Library Journal and it was even on TV, on NBC10’s Page Turner segment! You can find out all the love Isabel and Her Colores is receiving here. Illustrated by Courtney Dawson and published by Sleeping Bear Press, the story follows Isabel as she starts school without knowing how to speak English. Ultimately, her artistic personality and her love of colors allow her to bridge the language barrier and make friends. Isabel and Her Colores Go to School is a bilingual story, with the text on the page in both English and Spanish. I translated the story, and while it was challenging, I’m incredibly proud of how it turned out!

But that’s not all. I found out in May that Feliz New Year, Ava Gabriela! was a finalist in the 2021 International Latino Book Awards, in the Mariposa Awards Best First Book Children & Youth category! The awards ceremonies are happening on October 16-17, when I’ll find out whether it won bronze, silver, or gold. There are so many incredible authors listed in these awards, and it’s exciting and an honor to be among them.

As if that wasn’t enough good news, the announcement for my debut middle grade novel went live! I get to continue publishing books for kids, this time for ages 8-12! The middle grade fantasy will follow twelve-year-old Valentina Mejía and her brother as they discover that all the legends from their dad’s stories are true in their attempt to get back home and save Papi.

It’s been an exciting summer full of change and possibility, and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next. In the meantime, I’ll be in my editing and grading cave, doing the work. See you on the other side!

Whew! November has been a full month. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to participate in a couple of wonderful events, including the 68th Annual Breakfast with the Authors and the 2020 NCTE Annual Convention. It was great meeting with students, teachers, and fellow authors!

This December, I’m looking forward to the Latinx Kidlit Book Festival will be held December 4-5, 2020. You can find me on the Picture Books with All the Feels! panel alongside Jacqueline Alcántara, Zara González Hoang, Laurenne Sala, and Ana Siqueira on Fri., 12/4/2020 at 1:00 pm EST, but there are other amazing sessions going on that weekend. I can’t wait!

I’ll also be saying good-bye to 2020 with my Año Viejo doll during two virtual storytime and Q&A events hosted by the Miami Dade Public Library System: Wed., 12/16/20 from 4-4:30 pm EST and Tue., 12/29 from 4-4:30 pm EST! Space is limited in and registration is required.

Then, on Wed., Jan. 13, 2021 @ 3:00 pm EST, I’ll be joining Zara González Hoang on a Las Musas Book Journeys Webinar! We’ll be starting the new year on the right foot and having a great conversation about all things picture books and publishing.

For more on these events, including how to register, visit my Author Visits & Events page!

I am so THRILLED and EXCITED to share that Feliz New Year, Ava Gabriela! received a 🌟STARRED REVIEW🌟from Kirkus Reviews!! I am so grateful. Thank you! Read complete review here.

I can’t wait to share Ava’s story with everyone! It’s beautifully illustrated by Addy Rivera Sonda, and it’s the story about a shy little girl meeting her loud extended family at her Abuelita’s finca in the Colombian Andes, set against the backdrop of our NYE traditions and foods.

Feliz New Yea, Ava Gabriela! releases this October 1st from Albert Whitman & Company and is available for pre-order now wherever books are sold. Stay tuned for more on signed copies, virtual launch, pre-order campaign and goodies–and more!

Reviews and blurbs:
“Flavorful details, a quick-moving plot, and psychological depth bring this Cuban-American family to life. A treasure for any library.” —Rebecca Balcarcel (!)

“A heartwarming book about growing up, growing friendships, growing the bonds of family and culture, and growing dreams of your own.” —Aida Salazar (!)

“My twelve-year- old self would have loved a friend like her. When one girl’s voice gets louder, we all get stronger. Go Zoey!” —Doreen Cronin

“Alegre has written a warm, funny, empowering book that’s sure to appeal to fans of Meg Medina’s Merci Suarez Changes Gears or Pablo Cartaya’s The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora. Recommended for all collections.” —School Library Journal

“A heartfelt debut novel rooted in the importance of family ties, the bonds of friendship, and bowling.” —Kirkus

“A charming debut about grief, the bonds of family and friendship, and bowling.” —Booklist

About The Dream Weaver:
“Twelve-year-old Zoey navigates the tricky waters of friendship while looking for a way to save her grandfather’s struggling business in this heartwarming, coming-of-age debut novel perfect for fans of Kristi Wientge, Donna Gephart, and Meg Medina.

Zoey comes from a family of dreamers. From start-up companies to selling motorcycles, her dad is constantly chasing jobs that never seem to work out. As for Zoey, she’s willing to go along with whatever grand plans her dad dreams up—even if it means never staying in one place long enough to make real friends. Her family being together is all that matters to her.

So Zoey’s world is turned upside down when Dad announces that he’s heading to a new job in New York City without her. Instead, Zoey and her older brother, José, will stay with their Poppy at the Jersey Shore. At first, Zoey feels as lost and alone as she did after her mami died. But soon she’s distracted by an even bigger problem: the bowling alley that Poppy has owned for decades is in danger of closing!

After befriending a group of kids practicing for a summer bowling tournament, Zoey hatches a grand plan of her own to save the bowling alley. It seems like she’s found the perfect way to weave everyone’s dreams together…until unexpected events turn Zoey’s plan into one giant nightmare. Now, with her new friends counting on her and her family’s happiness hanging in the balance, Zoey will have to decide what her dream is—and how hard she’s willing to fight for it.”

Simon & Schuster

My son (12yo) devoured The Dream Weaver and absolutely loved it! He loved everything about it, from the characters to the story to the name of the bowling alley, which reminded him of his teacher’s nickname.

After all the raving, I went in expecting an amazing read, and Alegre’s The Dream Weaver absolutely exceeded my expectations. In the book hangover that followed after I finished, I found myself incoherently repeating I LOVE THIS BOOK! It’s the type of story that sticks with you and begs to be reread.

I’m a sucker for family stories, as well as those about finding one’s identity, and this sweet, heartfelt MG delivered these themes beautifully. The scenes between Zoey and her grandfather were some of my favorite, though the scenes with her new friends were also sweet. Zoey is a wonderfully fleshed out character you can’t help but root for from the opening pages. In fact, Zoey reminded me so much of myself at that age.

This story is sure to resonate with readers!