Off-Key

Gr 1-4–Catalina has put the magical sewing kit gifted to her by Ti´a Abuela to good use, sewing a disfraz every time she would like to use a costume to go incognito. The local library group, Stitch and Share, has been a great help, encouraging Catalina to try new things as she improves her sewing skills. As Catalina and her friends Ruthie, Soledad, and Pablo try out for the Valle Grande Elementary Talent Show as the Banda La Chispa, Catalina wants everything to be just right—from the lyrics to the song they will be singing to their matching vests. But when the title character’s attempt to get the performance to be “just right” prevents her friends from trying something new and results in them leaving the band, Catalina begins to realize that maybe it is okay to do things differently. Fast-paced chapters pull readers in to Catalina’s world, where they will get to see Catalina’s magical sewing kit in action. Spanish words are used throughout, and black-and-white illustrations introduce readers to the protagonist and her friends. Catalina’s world is bright and full of positivity from her family and friends; it’s a world kids will want to revisit.

VERDICT A fun and magical entry in the “Catalina Incognito” series, perfect for fiction collections for youth.