Yoli’s Favorite Things

Gr 4-7–Santana’s latest novel is a lovely coming-of-age story set during the turbulent times of the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement. Yolanda “Yoli” Sahagún, a 12-year-old daughter of Mexican immigrant parents, introduces readers to her life and family through her love of the popular film The Sound of Music. Like the von Trapps in the movie, she has a large family of nine siblings who join her in adventures around their Southern California neighborhood. While Yoli has long planned to become a nun, she begins to question that path as she confronts the emotional upheaval of trying to protect her favorite brother from being drafted to fight in the war. This beautifully written and poignant story will likely appeal to fans of One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia. Yoli is an authentic and relatable narrator whose bravery will capture the hearts of middle grade readers.