Trouble in Paradise? In this second installment of Horse Country, critically acclaimed author Yamile Saied Méndez welcomes readers back to the ranch.

Carolina's hope of opening up Paradise Ranch to everyone is coming true: the Unbridled Dreams program is ready to welcome its first sponsored student!

Gisella Bassi seems like the perfect fit — on paper, that is. When she arrives at Paradise Ranch, she's not as excited as everyone expects. She might even be... scared of the horses? But if their first student isn't a success, there's no way the program will continue. Can Caro and her new friend, Chelsie, agree on how to rope Gisella in?

A friendly prank war at the White House spirals out of control in this hilarious and heartfelt middle grade novel written by acclaimed author Yamile Saied Méndez and perfect for fans of President of the Whole Fifth Grade and Merci Suárez Changes Gears.

Ingrid and Winnie López have lived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for eight years, but their friends Skylar and Zora Williams—the new first daughters—are about to move into the White House with their mom, the president-elect. What the Williamses don't know is that incoming presidents' families are often pranked by the folks they're replacing, and Ingrid and Winnie take that tradition very seriously.

But when the four girls get wrapped up in an ever-escalating exchange of practical jokes and things spiral out of control, can they avoid an international incident? Or will their battle go down in American history and ruin their...]]> Mon, 03 Feb 2020 13:37:08 +0200 https://sequential-art.library.land/yamile-saied-mendez/713347-the_visitors.html https://sequential-art.library.land/yamile-saied-mendez/713347-the_visitors.html

Few campers at Camp Apple Hill Farm have found the mysterious cabin rumored to be hidden deep in the woods—but those who have whisper of a mysterious woman who tells tales of horrors beyond imagination. Are you brave enough to visit Cabin 23?

When Gen Farías's brother, Lorenzo, is arrested, everything changes. Gen's neighbors look at him and his family with suspicion, his parents are distraught, and no one will tell Gen what's happening. But the worst part is what only Gen knows: It's all his fault. If he hadn't forgotten to leave their bedroom window unlatched the night of Lorenzo's arrest, maybe his brother would have never been caught. Guilt haunts Gen—guilt, and a terrifying shadow that crouches each night on the tree branch outside his window, watching him with penetrating eyes.

Gen's parents decide to move to Los Astros, a beautiful village nestled in the mountains, to try to regain some sense of normalcy. But Los Astros, Gen...]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:41:50 +0200 https://sequential-art.library.land/yamile-saied-mendez/606434-furia.html https://sequential-art.library.land/yamile-saied-mendez/606434-furia.html
A Reese’s Book Club YA Pick
A powerful, #ownvoices contemporary YA for fans of The Poet X and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter set in Argentina, about a rising soccer star who must put everything on the line—even her blooming love story—to follow her dreams.
In Rosario, Argentina, Camila Hassan lives a double life. 
 
At home, she is a careful daughter, living within her mother’s narrow expectations, in her rising-soccer-star brother’s shadow, and under the abusive rule of her short-tempered father. 
 
On the field, she is La Furia, a powerhouse of skill and talent. When her team qualifies for the South American tournament, Camila gets the chance to see just how far those talents can take her. In her wildest dreams, she’d get an athletic scholarship to a North American university.
 
But the path ahead isn’t easy. Her parents...]]> Tue, 28 Jan 2020 15:01:22 +0200 https://sequential-art.library.land/yamile-saied-mendez/593314-on_these_magic_shores.html https://sequential-art.library.land/yamile-saied-mendez/593314-on_these_magic_shores.html
Minerva must take care of her sisters after her mother's disappearance in this magical #ownvoices middle grade story that pairs perfectly with Peter Pan. Minerva Soledad Miranda is determined to reach her goals, despite shouldering more responsibility than the other kids at school—like caring for her two sisters while her mom works two jobs. But one night, Minerva's mom doesn't come home, and Minerva has to figure out what to do. Was Mamá snapped up by immigration enforcement? Will the girls be sent to foster homes or holding centers for migrant kids? Minerva and her sisters can't let anyone know Mamá has disappeared. They'll just pretend everything is normal until she comes back. Minerva's plan to go it alone falls apart the first afternoon, when her baby sister throws a tantrum during Minerva's audition for Peter Pan. But as the days pass and Minerva grows ever more worried about her mother, something magical seems to be watching out for them: leaving them cupcakes, helping...]]> Mon, 27 Jul 2020 19:40:23 +0300 https://sequential-art.library.land/yamile-saied-mendez/645379-calling_the_moon.html https://sequential-art.library.land/yamile-saied-mendez/645379-calling_the_moon.html

An essential, highly relatable collection of short fiction and poems around the topic of menstruation, written exclusively by authors who are Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color
For Angela, it came on the basketball court—while playing on the boys' team. For Penny, it came on a lakeside field trip, inspiring some cringeworthy moments of humor. And to Layla's disappointment, it came at the start of her first fasting Ramadan, mandating that she take a "holiday." Whether their period's coming spurs silence or celebration, whether they are well prepared for it or totally in the dark, the young people in these sixteen stories find that getting a period brings not only changes to their bodies, but also joy, sorrow, and self-discovery. Featuring BIPOC contributors who are some of today's most talented authors in middle-grade fiction, Calling the Moon offers coming-of-age stories and poetry as varied as the phases of the moon, from funny to heartbreaking to...]]> Fri, 28 Apr 2023 13:56:52 +0300 https://sequential-art.library.land/yamile-saied-mendez/622045-where_theres_smoke.html https://sequential-art.library.land/yamile-saied-mendez/622045-where_theres_smoke.html

Welcome back to Paradise Ranch, where everyone can get a second chance, in this third installment of the Horse Country series by Pura Belpré Award-winning author Yamile Saied Méndez.

Carolina Aguasvivas knows just what to do with Paradise Ranch's new sponsored student, Rockwell Richards. He's clearly a perfect match for a gentle giant of a horse named Napoleon, as they both have mysterious pasts. Carolina can't wait to learn everything she can about the cute and thoughtful new boy...but Rockwell doesn't seem to appreciate her snooping — or admiration.

When the barn is threatened by local wildfires, can he and Caro put everything aside and help keep the horses safe?

Pura Belpré Award winner Yamile Saied Méndez welcomes readers back to the ranch in the fourth installment of Horse Country!

Carolina Aguasvivas's oldest friend, Vida Jones Castillo, has never been interested in riding horses — until now! Carolina is thrilled for her BFF to join Paradise Ranch, along with new sponsorship student Brielle Stuart. The barn is a full, happy house!

But the girls' perfect summer falls apart when they find out that one of the horses might be sold — Carolina's favorite riding buddy, Shadow. Can Carolina and her friends save her beloved horse... and the future of the Unbridled Dreams program?

A heartwarming and authentic immigration story about a stray dog, the power of music, and celebrating old traditions along with new beginnings, by Pura Belpré Award-winning author Yamile Saied Méndez.

María Emilia's life turns upside-down when she and her family immigrate from Argentina to the US. How can she make new friends when simply speaking English all day is exhausting?

Luckily, she has the company of a stray dog in the neighborhood, who happens to look and act just like her beloved pet cat back home. Eventually, it turns out the pup isn't a stray after all — she belongs to María Emilia's new neighbor, Donovan. In order to spend more time with the dog (who totally isn't her reincarnated cat... right?), she agrees to sing in Donovan's band. But can Emilia find her new voice without losing herself?

Welcome to Paradise Ranch, where everyone can get a second chance.

Carolina Aguasvivas grew up on Paradise Ranch, which she knows down to every last pony. But things are sure to change when the new owner's daughter, Chelsie Sánchez, sweeps in with an attitude and a feisty Thoroughbred named Velvet. The mare is skittish, headstrong, and hurt — and Carolina is determined to ride her.

Chelsie, who considers herself too good to clean stalls, certainly doesn't seem like a real horse girl. Caro knows she's the only one who can help Velvet recover, and she's ready to prove it — no matter what it takes.

The girls may discover they have more in common than they think... including a passion for bringing the healing power of horses to every kid.