I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the PACK YOUR BAGS, MAGGIE DIAZ by Nina Moreno Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
This humorous and heartfelt middle-grade novel by Nina Moreno with illustrations by Courtney Lovett is perfect for fans of Celia C. Pérez and Terri Libenson.
Spring semester is here and Maggie is killing it! Her grades are up, she’s loving outdoor track and field, and being a seventh grader means the awesome spring break trip to St. Augustine is almost here. She can’t wait for her first overnight trip away from her overprotective parents, lovesick sister, and busybody abuela. Nothing will get in the way of Maggie having the best time ever with her two best friends, Zoey and Julian!
But all of Maggie’s plans for their unforgettable trip start to fall apart as everyone gets carried away with the upcoming dance instead. Even Julian has a crush―throwing their group dynamic into turmoil when he asks the new girl to be his date. Zoey’s so stressed with school that her straight A streak is in trouble . . . and why can’t Maggie stop thinking about Eerie Eddie? The three best friends have been inseparable for years, but everything is changing as everyone splits into twos, leaving Maggie unsure of where―and with who―she still fits.
*Review*
This was such a cute read!
I really liked how the story was an introduction into the changes 7th graders face; final exams, crushes, new friends, etc. The author does a great job of showing how Maggie experiences and ultimately copes with this stress/anxiety she’s feeing.
Being as old as I am, there were a few things I had to Google. I am not afraid to admit I had no idea what an e-boy was. I’m sure the target audience appreciates the up to date slang.
The book is pretty inclusive!
We have characters from different cultural backgrounds, blended backgrounds, and sexual orientations. None of it was highlighted as a main feature in the story, but it was nice that it was included, either way.
I loved the illustrations, they meshed with the story very well and made it more interactive! They not only gave us a glimpse into Maggie, but her friends and family as well.
I rated Pack Your Bags, Maggie Diaz four stars.
About Nina Moreno:
Nina Moreno was born and raised in Miami until a hurricane sent her family toward the pines of Georgia where she picked up an accent. She’s a proud University of Florida Gator who once had her dream job of shelving books at the library. Inspired by the folklore and stories passed down to her from her Cuban and Colombian family, she now writes about disaster Latinx teens & tweens chasing their dreams, falling in love, and navigating life in the hyphen. Her first novel, Don’t Date Rosa Santos, was a Junior Library Guild Selection, Indie Next Pick for teen readers, and SIBA Okra Pick. The companion YA novel featuring the same beloved town of Port Coral, Our Way Back to Always, is out now with Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Her MG debut, Join the Club, Maggie Diaz, will be available from Scholastic in 2022.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | Pinterest | Goodreads | BookBub
Title: PACK YOUR BAGS, MAGGIE DIAZ
Author: Nina Moreno, Courtney Lovett (Illustrator)
Pub. Date: May 2, 2023
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 272
Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/PACK-YOUR-BAGS-MAGGIE-DIAZ
*Giveaway*
One (1) winner will receive a finished copy of PACK YOUR BAGS, MAGGIE DIAZ, US Only.
Ends May 16th, midnight EST.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21675/
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
| 5/1/2023 | The Chirpy Bookaholic | Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post |
| 5/1/2023 | A Backwards Story | Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post |
| 5/2/2023 | YA Books Central | Excerpt/IG Post (when available) |
| 5/2/2023 | The Momma Spot | Guest Post or Excerpt |
| 5/3/2023 | Two Chicks on Books | Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post |
| 5/3/2023 | #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog | Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post |
| 5/4/2023 | Cara North | Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post |
| 5/4/2023 | A Dream Within A Dream | Guest Post or Excerpt |
| 5/5/2023 | A Blue Box Full of Books | Review/IG Post |
| 5/5/2023 | Confessions of the Perfect Mom | Review/IG Post |
Week Two:
| 5/8/2023 | Country Mamas With Kids | Review/IG Post |
| 5/8/2023 | @stargirls.magical.tale | Review/IG Post |
| 5/9/2023 | Jenguerdy | Review/IG Post |
| 5/9/2023 | @get.outside.and.read | Review/IG Post |
| 5/10/2023 | Books With a Chance | Review/IG Post |
| 5/10/2023 | Not In Jersey | Review/IG Post |
| 5/11/2023 | Author Z. Knight’s Guild | Review/IG Post |
| 5/11/2023 | @froggyreadteach | Review/IG Post |
| 5/12/2023 | OneMoreExclamation | Review/IG Post |
| 5/12/2023 | Two Points of Interest | Review/IG Post |
Books with a Chance of Traveling 