Hispanic Star: Celia Cruz (Spanish ed.)

Ages 8 to 12

An exciting middle grade nonfiction series for fans of the Who Was and She Persisted chapter books

Before she became the reigning Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz was just a girl from Havana who loved to sing. Her soulful voice, compelling charm, and unstoppable determination resulted in a meteoric rise to fame that opened the door for Latinx performers everywhere. Her booming career led to the rising popularity of salsa, a genre born of Cuban and Afro-Latin musical stylings. Six decades and seventy albums later, her influence still has an undeniable hold on today’s music.

Hispanic Star brings a new set of role models and heroes to the limelight, celebrating the Hispanic and Latinx community by showcasing the remarkable contribution of our community not only as an integral part of American culture, but also as an undeniable force in shaping its future, inspiring young readers to feel pride over their heritage.

About the Author

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

William Alexander is a National Book Award-winning Cuban-American 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.