Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Summary:  When the narrator visits her abuelo, she loves helping him sell fruit.  Together they make up a song to let people know the fruits they have, “Mango, limón, coco, melón, naranja, toronjo, plátano, piña.”  On New Year’s Eve, many customers buy grapes so they can gobble up twelve at midnight, making a wish for each chime of the clock.  The girl’s last wish is always to be able to visit her grandparents more often, but much of the time they have to make do with letters that travel between the U.S. and Cuba.  Includes an author’s note with additional information about Spanglish, travel restrictions to Cuba, los pregoneros or the singing vendors, and New Year’s Eve. Available in Spanish and English. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  The lively narration and colorful illustrations present an inviting portrayal of Cuba that would pair well with All the Way to Havana for a Cuban/Margarita Engle story hour. Well deserving of some Pura Belpré recognition.

Cons:  Eating twelve grapes on the stroke of midnight sounds challenging.