Laekan Z Kemp – författare

Fans of The Girl Who Drank the Moon, Paola Santiago and the River of Tears, and Disney's Encanto will be captivated by this fantastical novel about a girl who must learn to trust her ancestral powers when she comes face-to-face with the Mexican legend La Lechuza. Omega Morales's family has been practicing magic for centuries in Noche Buena. But over the years, the town's reputation for the supernatural is no longer one the people carry with pride. So Omega's family keeps to themselves, and in private, they're Empaths-diviners who can read and manipulate the emotions of people and objects around them. But Omega's powers don't quite work, and it leaves her feeling like an outsider in her own family.When a witch with the power to transform herself into an owl-known in Mexican folklore as La Lechuza-shows up unannounced, Omega, her best friend Clau (who happens to be a ghost), and her cousin Carlitos must conduct a séance under a full moon in order to unravel the mystery of the legend.Suddenly Omega's magic begins to change, and the key to understanding her powers is more complicated than she thought. Omega will have to decide what's more important-trusting the instincts of others or learning to trust in herself.

Fans of The Girl Who Drank the Moon, Paola Santiago and the River of Tears, and Disney's Encanto will be captivated by this fantastical novel about a girl who must learn to trust her ancestral powers when she comes face-to-face with the Mexican legend La Lechuza.Omega Morales's family has been practicing magic for centuries in Noche Buena. But over the years, the town's reputation for the supernatural is no longer one the people carry with pride. So Omega's family keeps to themselves, and in private, they're Empaths-diviners who can read and manipulate the emotions of people and objects around them. But Omega's powers don't quite work, and it leaves her feeling like an outsider in her own family.When a witch with the power to transform herself into an owl-known in Mexican folklore as La Lechuza-shows up unannounced, Omega, her best friend Clau (who happens to be a ghost), and her cousin Carlitos must conduct a séance under a full moon in order to unravel the mystery of the legend.Suddenly Omega's magic begins to change, and the key to understanding her powers is more complicated than she thought. Omega will have to decide what's more important-trusting the instincts of others or learning to trust in herself.

As an aspiring pastry chef, Penelope Prado has always dreamed of opening her own pastelería next to her father's restaurant, Nacho's Tacos. But her mom and dad have different plans -- leaving Pen to choose between disappointing her traditional Mexican-American parents or following her own path. When she confesses a secret she's been keeping, her world is sent into a tailspin. But then she meets a cute new hire at Nacho's who sees through her hard exterior and asks the questions she's been too afraid to ask herself.Xander Amaro has been searching for home since he was a little boy. For him, a job at Nacho's is an opportunity for just that -- a chance at a normal life, to settle in at his abuelo's, and to find the father who left him behind. But when both the restaurant and Xander's immigrant status are threatened, he will do whatever it takes to protect his new found family and himself.Together, Pen and Xander must navigate first love and discovering where they belong -- both within their families and their fiercely loyal Chicanx community -- in order to save the place they all call home.

Penelope Prado has always dreamed of opening her own pasteleria next to her father's restaurant, Nacho's Tacos. But her mom and dad have different plans-leaving Pen to choose between disappointing her traditional Mexican American parents or following her own path. When she confesses a secret she's been keeping, her world is sent into a tailspin. But then she meets a cute new hire at Nacho's who sees through her hard exterior and asks the questions she's been too afraid to ask herself.Xander Amaro has been searching for home since he was a little boy. For him, a job at Nacho's is an opportunity for just that-a chance at a normal life, to settle in at his abuelo's, and to find the father who left him behind. But when both the restaurant and Xander's immigrant status are threatened, he will do whatever it takes to protect his newfound family and himself.Together, Pen and Xander must navigate first love and discovering where they belong in order to save the place they all call home.This stunning and poignant novel from debut author Laekan Zea Kemp explores identity, found families and the power of food, all nestled within a courageous and intensely loyal Chicanx community.

Clap When You Land meets On the Come Up in this heart-gripping story about navigating first love and overcoming grief through the power of music.Aarón Medrano has been haunted by the onstage persona of his favorite DJ ever since his mother passed away. He seems to know all of Aarón's deepest fears, like that his brain doesn't work the way it should and that's why his brother and father seem to be pushing him away. He thinks his ticket out is a scholarship to the prestigious Acadia School of Music. That is, if he can avoid blowing his audition.Mia Villanueva has a haunting of her own and it's the only family heirloom her parents left her: doubt. It's the reason she can't overcome her stage fright or believe that her music is worth making. Even though her trumpet teacher tells her she has a gift, she's not sure if she'll ever figure out how to use it or if she's even deserving of it in the first place.When Aarón and Mia cross paths, Aarón sees a chance to get close to the girl he's had a crush on for years and to finally feel connected to someone since losing his mother. Mia sees a chance to hold herself accountable by making them both face their fears, and hopefully make their dreams come true. But soon they'll realize there's something much scarier than getting up on stage-falling in love with a broken heart.

Aarón Medrano has been haunted by the onstage persona of his favourite DJ ever since his mother passed away. He seems to know all of Aarón's deepest fears, like how his brain doesn't work the way it should and that's why his brother and father seem to be pushing him away. He thinks his ticket out is a scholarship to the prestigious Acadia School of Music. That is, if he can avoid blowing his audition.Mia Villanueva has a haunting of her own and it's the only family heirloom her parents left her: doubt. It's the reason she can't overcome her stage fright or believe that her music is worth making. Even though her trumpet teacher tells her she has a gift, she's not sure if she'll ever figure out how to use it or if she's even deserving of it in the first place.When Aarón and Mia cross paths, Aarón sees a chance to get close to the girl he's had a crush on for years and to finally feel connected to someone since losing his mother. Mia sees a chance to hold herself accountable by making them both face their fears, and hopefully make their dreams come true. But soon they'll realize there's something much scarier than getting up on stage-falling in love with a broken heart.

This gorgeous and lyrical dual POV novel-in-verse, from award-winning author Laekan Zea Kemp, explores love, healing, and self-acceptance-perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, Candice Iloh, and Nicola Yoon.When Danna Mendoza Villarreal's grandfather's memory loss takes a downward spiral, she comes up with a plan to make Marcelino remember: she's going to make sure he eats all of the dishes he once reviewed. She and her cousin Victoria are going to help him remember through taste, through eating...even though Danna's love of food is the very thing her mother always seems to have a problem with.Raul Santos and his uncle Mario play music for the elderly, helping people who can no longer remember via music therapy. But playing the guitar is also the only therapy Raul knows...he has been under water ever since his mother was wrongly incarcerated. For the past two years, he's been holding his breath, waiting for her to come back. And when she does, what is he supposed to do when she isn't the same person who left?When Danna and Raul meet, sparks fly immediately and they embark on a mission to heal Marcelino...and themselves. Because healing is something best done together-even if healing doesn't always look the way we want it to.

Award-winning author Laekan Zea Kemp's heart-wrenching novel-in-verse follows two teens who must come together to heal the pain from their pasts, perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and Nicola Yoon.Danna Mendoza Villarreal's grandfather is slowly losing himself as his memories fade, and Danna's not sure her plan to help him remember through the foods he once reviewed will be enough to bring him back. Especially when her own love of food makes her complicated relationship with her mother even more difficult.Raúl Santos has been lost ever since his mother was wrongly incarcerated two years ago. Playing guitar for the elderly has been his only escape, to help them remember and him forget. But when his mom unexpectedly comes back into his life, what is he supposed to do when she isn't the same person who left?When Danna and Raúl meet, sparks fly immediately and they embark on a mission to heal her grandfather ... and themselves. Because healing is something best done together-even if it doesn't always look the way we want it to.

Fans of The Girl Who Drank the Moon and Paola Santiago and the River of Tears will root for Omega Morales, in the second instalment of the Omega Morales series, as she learns to trust her newfound powers when she comes face-to-face with the Mexican legend El Cucuy.After Omega discovers she has the unique ability to influence the emotions of supernatural creatures, she's certain she's strong enough to handle the feelings of others on Día de Muertos. But when darkness overwhelms her, it's a sign that she's still vulnerable-and even worse, there may be a new malicious presence in her hometown of Noche Buena.When a child goes missing at the cemetery, panic ensues, prompting the new sheriff to open an investigation. But then another child is taken. And another. Soon, with the help of Carlitos, Clau, and a magical emotional support animal, Omega uncovers that El Cucuy-the boogeyman-is responsible for the disappearances. And it doesn't take long for Omega to realize that, just like with La Lechuza, she may be the only one who can stop him. But at what cost?This goose bump-raising sequel to Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza is packed with magic, myth, and a brave heroine who must confront her own fears to save her family....After all, what's scarier than El Cucuy?

Fans of The Girl Who Drank the Moon and Paola Santiago and the River of Tears will root for Omega Morales as she learns to trust her newfound powers when she comes face-to-face with the Mexican legend El Cucuy.After Omega discovers she can influence the emotions of supernatural creatures, she's certain she's strong enough to handle the feelings of others on Día de Muertos. But when darkness overwhelms her, it means she's more vulnerable than she realized-and even worse, there may be a new monster in her hometown.When a child goes missing at the cemetery, panic ensues, prompting the new sheriff to open an investigation. But then another child is taken. And another. Soon, with the help of Carlitos, Clau, and a magical emotional support animal, Omega uncovers that El Cucuy-the boogeyman-is responsible for the disappearances. And it doesn't take long for Omega to realize that, just like with La Lechuza, she may be the only one who can stop him. But at what cost?This goose bump-raising sequel to Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza is packed with magic, myth, and a brave heroine who must confront her own fears to save her family....After all, what's scarier than El Cucuy?

Today is Corina's birthday, and she's excited to wear the biggest crown with the most beautiful flowers picked from her abuela's garden.Each flower tells a special story about all the ways Corina is rooted in the family she loves. With elegant and eye-catching illustrations from award-winning artist Elisa Chavarri, this charming story shares a beloved family tradition through one girl's journey of self-discovery as she learns about the symbolism behind the Mexican flower crown.