Queso, Just in Time

De: Ernesto Cisneros

“Funny, heartfelt, and hopeful, Queso, Just in Time is the modern-day take on Back to the Future that we all need.”— Rajani LaRocca, Newbery Honor-winning author of Red, White, and Whole

Quetzalcóatl Castillo—Queso for short—has had an ache in his heart that won’t go away ever since his father’s death. More than anything, he wishes he could spend time with his dad again.

After whispering that wish one night under the light of the moon, Queso wakes up the next morning in 1985. With twelve-year-old Pancho—the kid who will grow up to be his dad.

Even though he has no internet to guide him and no idea what to do, Queso is just happy to be by his dad’s side again. But while Pancho is confident when scoring on the foosball table or standing up to bullies, he doesn’t think he’s smart enough to reach for his dreams. If only Pancho believed in himself the way Queso does, who knows what his story could be?

©2026 Ernesto Cisneros (P)2026 HarperCollins Publishers