In the new middle-grade novels by Diana López (Los Monstruos: Rooster and the Dancing Diablo) and Xavier Garza (Vincent Ventura and the Curse of the Donkey Lady: A Monster Fighter Mystery), there are mysteries to be solved. This session will talk about magical creatures, memorable characters, and the lore of the US–Mexico border!
Photo Credit: Arte Público Press
Xavier Garza is the author of numerous books for kids, including five previous volumes in the Monster Fighter Mystery series, and his newest book is Vincent Ventura and the Curse of the Donkey Lady / Vincent Ventura y la maldicion de la mujer burro. He lives with his family in San Antonio, Texas.
Photo Credit: Kristel Puente
Diana López is the author of the adult novella Sofia’s Saints and numerous books for young readers, including the middle grade novels Confetti Girl, Nothing Up My Sleeve, Lucky Luna, and Los Monstruos: Felice and the Wailing Woman, and the picture book Sing With Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla. She also wrote the novel adaptation for the Disney/Pixar film Coco. Diana retired after a twenty-eight-year career in education at both the middle grade and college levels, but she still enjoys meeting with students when she visits schools to chat about books and writing. She lives in her hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas. Many of her books are available in English and Spanish. Her latest book is Los Monstruos: Rooster and the Dancing Diablo.
Ms. Ana Menchaca has been a children’s librarian at the San Antonio Public Library since 2016. She has an M.A. in International Relations and a Master’s in Library Science from Texas Woman’s University. When not at the library, she’s at home, spending time with her husband, playing with her eight-year-old daughter and four-year-old son. Ms. Menchaca enjoys traveling, reading, baking, and hiking and is currently exploring the green belts of San Antonio with her family.
