16 Jul / Miss Meteor by Tehlor Kay Mejia and Anna-Marie McLemore [in School Library Journal]
Once upon a time, Lita “turned from star-stuff thrown off a meteor into a girl” and became “to everyone around” the daughter of the local curandera Bruja Lupe. That meteor gave the New Mexico town its name – yes, Meteor – as well as the inspiration for the most coveted title around, the eponymous “Miss Meteor.” For eons, girls like Kendra – blonde, thin, and did they have to be so mean? – have always been anointed.
This year though, Lita, “a brown girl with baby fat,” is “shaking things up” because she needs that crown to make her whole … literally: Only winning the pageant can halt her turning back into stardust. Reenter ex-BFF Chicky. Despite the estrangement that should never have been, Chicky – aided by her three glamorous older sisters – will figure out how to guide Lita back to earth.
Two prolific Latinx audio favorites take turns with the dual narrative: Softer, rounder-voiced Almarie Guerra is searching, longing Lita; confident, clipped Kyla Garcia is self-proclaimed “tomboy” Chicky.
Verdict: This magical realism-sprinkled tale is for fans of Dumplin’.
Review: “Audio,” School Library Journal, July 1, 2021
Readers: Middle Grade, Young Adult
Published: 2020