Loteria

Prepare to be enthralled by this lyrical, achingly human debut novel about a young girl''s remarkable resilience in the face of loss. Struggling to cope as her family falls apart, eleven-year-old Luz Mara Castillo retreats into her beloved set of Lotera cards—a Mexican game featuring riddles and vibrant images. Each card represents a different memory, and as Luz shuffles through the deck, she weaves her recollections into a compelling story of love, loyalty, tragedy, and hope.

By turns affecting and inspiring, Lotera is a powerful novel that heralds the arrival of an outstanding new writer, one who reminds us of the importance of remembering, even when we are trying to forget.