Red Hot Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Being Young And Latino in the United States edited by Lori M. Carlson, introduction by Oscar Hijuelos (Henry Holt, 2005). From the anthologist who brought us Cool Salsa, this new collection reaches farther and deeper, chronicling the perspective of young Latinos today. Includes helpful glossary and biographical notes. Featured poets include Gary Soto. Ages 12-up.

My Thoughts

I especially appreciated:

“My Shortest Food Poem” by Trinidad Sanchez, Jr. (giving voice to an oft expressed sentiment in these parts);

“Invisible Boundaries” by Ivette Alvarez (as female as Latino in perspective);

“love” by Gwylym Cano (because of course it is; did you just meet me?);

“El Parpadeo” by Trinidad Sanchez, Jr. (which is clever and amusing);

“Tia Chucha” by Luis S. Rodriguez (because even though they are different women, Tia Chucha reminds me in some ways of my own Aunt Anne to whom I dedicated Jingle Dancer);

“Martin and My Father” by David Hernandez (emotion packed and thoughtful, it includes my favorite line of the collection: “I kissed him with a poem.”);

“In a Minute” by Robert B. Feliciano (because it’s so true).

Cynsational News & Links

The Ben Franklin Award finalists for 2005 have been announced by the Independent Book Publishers Association. See the following categories: audio book–children’s; children’s picture book; children’s book and audio book; and juvenile-young adult fiction.

Agent Nadia Cornier of the Creative Media Agency debuts her blog, Agent Obscura, and gives an example of a “fabulous query letter” (see the April 18, 2005 post).