Illinois Authors

Sourcebooks Explore 2021

Meet Alan Turing. Famous mathematician, cryptographer, and…superhero!This next book in the My Super Science Heroes series shares the amazing story of Alan Turing and how he used his astonishing superpower of curiosity to overcome obstacles and solve problems. This series is scientifically vetted and promoted by the Marie Curie Alumni Association, which promotes the worldwide advancement of knowledge.One sunny day in June 1912, a new super science hero was born. He hadn't figured out he was a super science hero; though everyone else around him was pretty sure about this early on. His name was Alan Turing.As Alan grows and gains more and more knowledge, Super Evil Nemesis decides to call on his minion Ms. Enigma to confound and confuse Alan. But Alan likes puzzles and isn't easy to defeat...Follow along as Alan uses his super curiosity to discover patterns, crack codes, and save the world! Includes a glossary, timeline, activities, and bonus facts about ciphers and codes.

Knopf Books for Young Readers 2023

A festive nochebuena treat for little ones who believe in the magic of Christmas (and the deliciousness of cake)!On the night before Christmas, a spark of magic lights up Lita's Pastelería, and Esperanza Caramelo blinks open her eyes. Esperanza is a spun-sugar ornament, meant to sit atop the Nochebuena cake—but tonight she whirls through the bakery, singing and dancing, throwing a fiesta with all the other ornaments until . . . disaster strikes!Can the cake be saved in time for Christmas? The clock is ticking, but on Nochebuena, anything is possible—and Esperanza never gives up hope.

Roaring Brook Press 2023

Read about Selena Gomez, who is among the most groundbreaking, iconic Hispanic and Latinx heroes who have shaped our culture and the world in Hispanic Star: Selena Gomez, from Claudia Romo Edelman's gripping Hispanic Star biography series for young readers.Meet Selena Gomez--once just a girl from Grand Prairie, Texas, who loved to perform for her family. Her courage, drive, and empathy have been guiding posts in her lifelong career since her beginnings on Barney & Friends. Selena’s skyrocket to fame took her from the Disney Channel to becoming one of Time magazine’s most influential people in the world in 2020. An emblem for her generation, Selena shows that you can be exactly who you are and follow your passions wherever they may lead you.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. If you can see it, you can be it.

Knopf Books for Young Readers 2024

A simmering tale of magic, adventure, and the extraordinary bond between a brother and sister who'd journey to the ends of the Earth to save each other. From the acclaimed author of Lotería comes a heartfelt story rooted in Mexican magical realism.Ten-year-old Lola has always been touched by magic. In her Mexico City home, built around a towering tree, she is accustomed to enchanted blooms that change with the seasons, a sandbox that spits out mysterious treasures, and mischievous chaneques that scuttle about unseen by all but her. Magic has always been a part of her life, but now she must embrace the extraordinary as never before.Ever since The Thing That Happened, Lola's brother Alex has been sick. As his condition worsens, something begins eating away at the tree, causing its leaves and blossoms to crumble like ash. The two are related, Lola is sure of it, but how? Seeking a cure, she visits a grocery store oracle who bids her to follow the chaneques down one of their secret passages... into a hidden world.Here in Floresta, a land of myths and monsters and marvels untold, lies the key to healing her brother. But the kingdom's young queen stands in the way. Lola must use her wits and face her deepest fears if there's any hope of saving Alex in time.

Knopf Books for Young Readers 2021

In Oaxaca City, Mexico, ancient friends Life and Death discuss free will while engaged in a game of chance, with eleven-year-old Clara as the protagonist of their theories and a pawn in their game, moving inevitably towards her ultimate fate. Includes author's notes and reader's guide.

Sourcebooks Explore 2020

Meet Marie Curie. Famous physicist, chemist, and… superhero?What if superheroes didn't have supernatural powers but instead were humans with amazing brain power? What if superheroes were scientists?Super Evil Nemesis is determined to stop Marie Curie and the spread of knowledge. When he sends one of his craftiest minions on a mission to try all the tricks he knows, Marie Curie must use her brains and will to fight against all the obstacles that come her way. But is it enough?Can she prevent Super Evil Nemesis from taking over the world? Does she have the power to become one of the most influential scientists in history? Only time will tell…This first book in the My Super Science Heroes series uses a fictionalized storytelling approach to teach readers about Curie's amazing achievements and is sure to empower them to become superheroes themselves!Includes a scientific glossary and detailed information on Marie Curie's scientific accomplishments.Published in partnership with the Marie Curie Alumni Association, a nonprofit dedicated to promote research and curiosity and to enhance research and professional collaboration.

Aladdin 2024

Twins Emma and Martín get stuck at the beginning of time in this second book in the Legendarios chapter book series that’s Magic Tree House meets Heroes in Training!Emma and Martín are settling into their new home in Chicago and getting ready to start at their new school. When they learn they’ll be in separate classes for the first time, they aren’t sure they can face so much change alone. But when life gets stressful, the siblings now have the perfect escape—into the book of legends!They enter the creation story of when the giant Ometecuhtli made the world. As soon as they arrive, they realize they have a major problem: it takes a magical object to activate Emma’s necklace and open the portal home, but how can they find one when nothing exists yet?

Aladdin 2024

Twins Emma and Martín help a potential king earn his throne in this third book in the Legendarios chapter book series that’s Magic Tree House meets Heroes in Training!Emma and Martín swap the cool Chicago fall for the hot jungles of the Puuc Hills when they dive into the myth of the Child King of Uxmal. There, they meet Nicte the healer.Nicte is determined to save her village from constant droughts and the burden of their ruthless king. She’s following rumors of a prophecy, which leads her to three strange items: a giant egg and a drum and rattle that will only play for the rightful king of Uxmal.Emma and Martín are eager to help Nicte follow the prophecy when they are yanked out of the jungle—and discover that there’s a page missing from their book! Can the twins find a way back into the legend to save Nicte’s village, or is this the end of the story?

Aladdin [S.l.] : 2025

Twins Emma and Martín defend a princess and her village in this fourth book in the Legendarios chapter book series that’s Magic Tree House meets Heroes in Training!It’s been a few months since Emma and Martín moved to Chicago. When they first arrived, their family thought outgoing Emma would adjust quickly and shy Martín might have a harder time making friends. But surprisingly, Martín is fitting in just fine, while Emma wants to go back to Mexico more than anything.She might not be able to go back to their previous home, but she can visit Mexico in the book of legends! And even better, this time the twins are joined by their abuela on the adventure. The book brings them into the story of Princess Hapunda and Lake Pátzcuaro. When an enemy tribe demands that Hapunda’s father hand her over to them, she faces a difficult choice: go with their enemies or refuse and risk her people’s safety.Can the twins find a way to help the princess out of the tricky situation, or is this a tale without a happy ending?

Aladdin 2024

Twins coping with moving to a new city get swept back in time by a magical book in this first book in the Legendarios chapter book series that’s Magic Tree House meets Heroes in Training!Nine-year-old twins, Emma and Martín, couldn’t be more different in their personalities, interests, and even their looks. But one thing they absolutely agree on is that moving from Cuernavaca, Mexico, to Illinois is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, they’re not given a choice when their dad lands his dream job as a middle school principal in Chicago. To help the twins stay connected to their Mexican heritage, their abuela gifts them a book of Mexican legends. The book turns out to be more than a going away present…it’s a magical item that transports them directly into the legends!In the first legend, Emma and Martín encounter Tlaloc, the god of rain. Tlaloc is angry because his lightning bolt has been stolen, and his rage is manifesting as a torrential downpour over the ancient city of Texcoco. The rain won’t stop until the lightning bolt has been returned, so Emma and Martín set out to recover it.Will they find Tlaloc’s bolt in time to help the people of Texcoco save their home? Or will the wrath of the rain god mark the end of this legendary city?