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1. Heartwarming (and important) story!
   This is a wonderful story for so many reasons. I love how it integrates STEM and robotics and can serve to inspire students to learn how to code. As a Latina, I also loved how it represents two different but very real perspectives of the Latinx experience and blends them into one household. Luz is portrayed as English-dominant having grown up in the U.S., and her sister is Spanish-dominant, depicting the new immigrant experience. The book also shines a light on some of the harsh realities (and consequences) of immigration policies in an age appropriate way.

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2. Strong girls!
   Great read about a layered girl, who sometimes gets it right and sometimes makes mistakes, but either way, figures out a lot of stuff.

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3. Great Book!
   My daughter, 11, loved this book!

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4. So much!
   Loved this as a windows and mirrors book club choice. Tween/Teen identity, familia relationships, science, compassion, immigration- so much to explore inside!

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5. An emotional and heartfelt story for middle grade readers.
   Before, Luz Véliz was a soccer star, her dad’s pride and joy, and a light in the neighborhood. But after Luz suffers a traumatic injury on the soccer field, everything changes, and she is left feeling set adrift in a world filled with disappointment. Luz must decide whether to continue attending soccer practice only to sit on the sidelines or to find another outlet for her energy and intelligence. Luckily, Luz has a kind and supportive neighbor who recognizes Luz’s affinity for gadgetry and helps to kindle an ember that begins to form within her. As Luz attempts to fill in the holes left behind from her injury, she finds the world to be a more complex and beautiful place than she ever imagined.This early middle grade contemporary fiction story introduces readers to a girl named Luz whose life has been turned upside down at the age of 11 due to an injury that prevents her from continuing to pursue her passion for soccer. The disappointment and frustration Luz feels is amplified by both her adolescence and an added familial complication, and readers will recognize Luz’s emotional upheaval as she attempts to come to terms with the changes happening both in her world and in her relationships with her parents. The writing perfectly captures the intensity of these feelings, embedding them deep within the reader’s psyche before offering constructive solutions for managing them. Luz begins to undergo internal change with the help of a shift of focus to coding, and even readers unfamiliar with coding languages will feel comfortable with the level of detail and explanation included in this book.Short chapters and engaging writing give this novel a rhythm that is easy to fall into. Younger middle grade readers will feel especially comfortable with the design of the book, though the content speaks to older readers, as well. At the center of this story, Luz is beginning to discover who she is while building herself into the person she wants to become. The world is opening up for her at the same time, though, and this is often a challenging and uncomfortable experience. As the complexities of family dynamics, global violence, illness, and the threat of deportation arise, Luz’s personal struggles are put into perspective, which inspires both Luz and the reader to think differently about their own lives. At the end of the book, readers find recipes for some of the foods described in the story, a list of famous scientists mentioned in the narrative, and an author’s note with more information about the impetus of the novel. This is an emotional and heartfelt addition to libraries for early middle grade readers.

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6. Fantastic from start to finish!
   Luz Véliz is having a rough year. Her life as a soccer star is over when her knee gets injured, her relationship with her dad was built entirely on a foundation of a shared love of all things soccer, and her world is about to be rocked even more when someone new comes along, changing everything in her path. Luz knows her name means light, but how can she find a bright spot in all this darkness?Author Rebecca Balcárcel weaves a brilliant tapestry of storylines, focusing on familial connections, the constant presence of change, and finding a way to share your light even when feeling smothered by the darkness.There is so much to love about this book. Both primary and secondary characters are intricately developed, with believable dialogue and intergenerational relationships. Luz’s friendship with her elderly neighbor, Mr. Mac, is a highlight of the book.What really makes this book shine is the way that all the different realms of one girl’s existence come together to build a fulfilling life, all without the forced messaging that can so often accompany books with big themes.Luz has put her entire life into soccer; it’s her whole personality. When the book opens as she’s dealing with living in a world After Soccer, she’s taking down all of her trophies, posters, and memorabilia. Without her soccer stuff, her room looks blank– just like she feels. As Luz looks for a new passion, and thus a new way to connect with her dad, she stumbles into her school’s robotics classes and club.The combination of technology, athletics, and art is a wonderful thing to see. So often, characters get pigeon-holed as either tech-savvy, creative, or athletic; but the people in Luz’s world show her how she can be all three.It was also refreshing to see technology portrayed in a positive light. Technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, and yet how often does media portray it negatively? Kids (and their parents) are still constantly being told to go outside, climb a tree, and pretend it’s still the pre-AOL era. But ignoring tech isn’t the answer. The key to any healthy lifestyle is balance, and Balcárcel demonstrates that without any heavy handed messaging.Luz is discovering who she is, outside of soccer, and that journey is showing her how little else was in her life. Without soccer, she’s realizing how out of balance her life was. Finding herself lacking friends, hobbies, and connection with her dad leads her to a new project: learning to code so she can test in to the advanced robotics class. As she learns to see the value in others for who they are, outside of their accomplishments, she learns to see the same in herself.Shine On, Luz Véliz does not shy away from complicated topics. From family relationships, managing anger, living a multifaceted life, caring for others, immigration, and compassion, this book tackles tough topics without ever feeling like it’s tackling tough topics. Each challenge comes about organically, and young readers will relate especially to how life seems to throw everything at them all at once.There is so much more I’d love to say about this book, but can’t for the sake of avoiding spoilers. Trust me and know it is well worth the read. Luz and her family are unforgettable, and the way Balcárcel expertly weaves together multiple plot lines and brings them all together is beautiful. These characters are relatable and realistic; they’re the kinds of characters you wish were real, just so you could be friends with them.Shine On, Luz Véliz by Rebecca Balcárcel will be available May 3, 2022 from Chronicle Books. Thank you to author Rebecca Balcárcel, NetGalley, and Chronicle Books for an advanced copy such that I could share my honest review.

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7. Heartwarming coming of age story
   This sparkling book is truly a gem and great fun to read from start to finish. Luz is at that age where kids are trying so hard to figure out who they are in relation to their family and to the rest of the world. Soccer star Luz’s whole sense of self undergoes a tremendous change when she is so terribly hurt that she probably won’t ever be able to play again. But soon this resilient girl is finding a new passion in robotics, and in building a relationship with a surprise half-sister who moves into their home. Balcarcel depicts family life and sibling relationships with a deft hand. The use of many Spanish words and phrases will make this particularly attractive to English language learners. SHINE ON, LUZ VELIZ is a bright star of a story you need in your library!

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