Secrets of the Casa Rosada

De: Alex Temblador

Narrado por: Frankie Maria Corzo

Sixteen-year-old Martha and her mother move constantly, never staying anywhere for long. So she knows better than to ask if they've been evicted again when her mom says they're going on a "vacation" to meet the grandmother Martha didn't know existed.

Laredo, Texas, is like no other city she has seen. Driving past businesses with Spanish names and colorfully painted houses with burnt lawns, Martha can't imagine her mother living somewhere so...Mexican. At her grandmother's pink house, she's shocked and hurt when her mom abandons her, even though a part of her had been expecting it.

Suddenly Martha must deal with a way of life that is completely foreign. Her grandmother doesn't speak English, so communication is difficult, and she's not the typical, sweet grandma who dotes on her grandchildren. Even weirder, it turns out that her grandmother is revered as a healer, or curandera. And there are tons of cousins, aunts, and uncles all ready to embrace her!

At her new school, Martha can't be anonymous like before because everyone knows she's Dona Gonzalez's granddaughter. Meanwhile, a girl who has it out for her makes things unpleasant. As Martha struggles to adjust to her new life, she can't help but wonder why her mother left Laredo. No one is willing to discuss it, so she'll have to unravel the secrets herself.

©2019 Alex Temblador (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

A believable yet magical story

These are the types of books I wish high school students would get to read! So relatable as a story and the story is timeless. Any age reader can appreciate the struggles of identity, belonging and the importance of family. All of this while trying to unearth family secrets that are sometimes left forgotten for a reason. Frankie Corazon does a MARVELOUS narrating as usual!

great story

I really enjoyed this book but I wasn't a fan of the ending 😕

Brings back memories

I remember going to a healer when I was young and using sage at my home. I’m sure there’s many Hispanic/Latino stories out there. This is one you should start with, if you want the cultural experience. The story was what I expected with the secrets and bullying I remember school being.

I’m so glad Latino books are being written and recorded. I can wait to read the Next book!!

I’m buying the book and giving it to my daughter.