Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

4 stars.

Shin On, Luz Veliz! This is a story of young Luz Veliz a middle grade Latina student that is facing many trials throughout this story but does so with a mostly loveable wit and charm. Luz has recently sustained a knee injury while playing soccer, an activity that she could share and bond with her father over. At the beginning of this story Luz is feeling a sense of a loss of her identity because she is unable to play soccer with her bum knee. She feels as though she cannot connect with her father anymore and just wants to make him proud. She stumbles upon a robotics class one day and is instantly hooked and wants to learn more. Shortly after her parents break the news that her half sister from Guatemala (I believe) is coming to live with them permanently. Luz must then navigate her feelings while accepting her sister and all the changes that she brings into her life.

Upon reflection on the book, I really loved this story. As an adult reader of a middle grade book I found the characters in this story to be complex and nuanced though in a way that the target age group could understand. At times Luz seemed moody and reactive but then I thought of myself at that age and I would have reacted similarly. Kids at this time in their lives are still learning to regulate their emotions and reacting automatically by yelling or saying things they dont mean is normal and a valuable lesson. Luz had to grapple with this often throughout the story as she was learning to accept her sister Solana and figure out how to communicate with her.

I also thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Mac, Luz's next door neighbor, as a character. He taught Luz, and the audience some very valuable lessons about change and learning to accept yourself and others. It was also nice to see an adult role model other then Luz's parents in this story.

I believe this is a story that many middle grade students can learn valuable lessons such as self acceptance from . I did remove a star as there was a scene that discussed gang violence in Guatemala and deportation. While I felt this scene in the end was relevant to the story I felt it was brought on much too abruptly without any lead up or simple discussion of the matter and that it should have been handled more delicately. Although these are important topics that I do believe middle grade audience should be aware of and have the capability to understand the author, in my opinion, did not handle the subject in a way that I would be comfortable letting a 12 year old read without a parent being present to open discussion.

All of that, I am very glad I picked this title up!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book to review

Did you like FRONT DESK by Kelly Yang but think to yourself, I wish this book was not set in the 90s and ALSO I wish that the main character was really into coding? Then SHINE ON, LUZ VELIZ is for you. Luz Veliz is a compelling middle-grade character and all of the side characters are three-dimensional. Short chapters make this an easy read. Four stars.

Luz Veliz is a middle schooler who loves soccer. When a major injury takes her out of the game for good, she has to figure who she is without the game she loves.

I almost this entire book in one sitting. While it is a fairly quick read, I think many students Luz’ age will relate to her struggle to figure out who she is and what is important to her.

I can see what Balcarcel is going for, I'm just not sure that it works for me. On the one hand, I hadn't seen this particular combination of elements before. I've seen career ending sports injuries and the need for a character to redefine herself, but not in this young of an audience. I've seen the sudden discovery of a half-sibling but this is the first I've seen the addition of the culture clash element to that conflict. Plus we have the idea that if you're going to do a thing you need to be the best. These are all solid ideas but they may be too much to put all into one plot for this age group. Nothing gets fully developed.

Following a severe soccer injury, Luz is forced to give up her passion. Her abandonment of soccer causes her relationship with her father and friends to suffer. But with the help of a neighbor and the school robotics team, Luz is able to find a new passion, new friends, and restore her family.

Shine On, Luz Veliz! by Rebecca Balcarcel
Publication date: May 3, 2022

Date read: May 9, 2022



Middle schooler Luz (pronounced Loose) was a soccer phenom, until an injury forced her to give up the game. Since her only friends were soccer girls, and it was even the only way she really connected to her dad, she’s stuck now trying to figure out what her new identity is, outside of soccer. Complicating things even more, is a half-sister in Guatemala that she didn’t know about, who suddenly has to come live with them. Now Luz has to navigate a new family dynamic in addition to deciding if she wants to sit on the sidelines of soccer or find another passion.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a middle grade story, and the innocence of the drama is kind of refreshing. Not to say that there isn’t real drama - Luz goes through a lot in this book - but the way the characters deal with the drama is definitely appropriate for their age.

The book surprised me (but in a good way), by starting after Luz’s injury. She’s already dealt, off-page, with the difficulties of recovering from her injury and having to stop playing soccer. I think if the book tried to include this it would have, in addition to just being too long, been too many issues for us to have focused on. Instead it dealt with Luz trying to find her new place in the world, having already realized that her old place is no longer there.

My only complaint about this book is how much I disliked Luz’s father. I don’t know if we were supposed to have felt more sympathy for him at the end, but I really didn’t. He made his child feel alienated and like all she had to offer was soccer, and made things especially difficult for her once Solana arrived. He wasn’t abusive, but he definitely wasn’t a good dad.

I thought Luz was a wonderful character throughout. Immature enough to be believable as a middle schooler, but never annoying. And I liked how she was able to change her opinions on people and situations fairly quickly, after getting a glimpse of a difference side. Ahh, the innocence, and the ability to change your opinion without digging in and being stubborn.

This was a really sweet book that also dealt with heavy issues like deportation and death. Definitely recommended for middle grade readers, especially young girls who will enjoy reading about an average (in a good way) female protagonist. Also a great intro to how STEAM programs are for everyone. I hope this one gets a spot on middle school reading lists in the future.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Trigger warning: death of a parent, deportation (discussed), murder (discussed), gang violence (discussed)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

Such a cute story! I loved how empowering it was and the diversity was beautiful to see! Fun and quirky and a great read.

Sixth grader Luz was a star soccer player before a knee injury put an end to her days on the field. Once she's unable to play the game she loved, Luz struggles to find something to fill the empty space. She also misses the connection she had with her dad. He coached her in soccer, and now that she's not playing, she finds him distant and treating her differently. With the help of her supportive neighbor Mr. Mac, she dives headfirst into learning about computer coding. Luz's life is again shaken up a significant change in her family dynamics (don't want to give it away!) impacts the family dynamics and offers Luz an opportunity to learn and grow. This was a fabulous book! I loved following Luz's journey as she built her life outside of soccer and adjusted to the changes in her family. The intergenerational relationship between Luz and neighbor Mr. Mac was also a highlight of the book. I will definitely be adding this one to my library's collection. With relatable themes, engaging characters, and good pacing as well as highlighting girls in STEM, it will be enjoyed by many readers.

Shine On, Luz Veliz! is a book about learning to appreciate and acknowledge one's whole self. For years Luz was immersed in soccer and she was good at it! She loved the comradery on the field, her father's devotion and dedication and the cheering crowd. She never she dreamed it would be stripped away in an instant by a severe injury. Luz had to develop new interests, reconnect with her distant father and contend with a family secret that challenges everything. Recommended for grades 3-5.

I was hooked on this book from the beginning! Luz loved soccer and how proud it made her father. However, an ACL tear finds her no longer knowing who she is or how to proceed without soccer as it was such a big part of her life. She even finds her father becoming distant. One day, she leaves soccer practice (where she helped but didn’t play) and stumbles upon a robotics class. She is instantly intrigued and strives to join…her neighbor helped pique her interested with his inventions and contraptions like an old cassette.

This was a very feel good book and relatable to others who lost a passion/hobby due to injury. I could relate as I lost track and field due to asthma.

Thank you for the ARC!

What a delight! I’m definitely no STEM wizard but I still enjoyed watching Luz learn how to code and program. It’s so great to see not only girls in STEM but girls of color. The addition of Solana was also such an interesting plot thread and I’m glad the author is able to talk about important issues like immigration, gang violence, asylum, etc. I also loved that Luz is allowed to be an angry, sad, jealous, grumpy girl; as someone who was also a grumpy child, it’s comforting to see Luz be able to express her emotions and also learn how to deal with them more healthily as she understands herself and others more. The only things I didn’t quite vibe with were the idea of putting trackers on children (I understand the justification in this sense, but the idea of literal trackers on them felt a bit weird to me) and I would’ve liked a bit more grace given to Solana about being afraid of ICE—in the sense that her worries weren’t dismissed or explained away but validated that she has every right to be afraid of and concerned about them, given her and others’ very real experiences with them.

Luz Veliz is a beautiful book about a middle-schooler discovering who she is in the aftermath of a sports injury -- and with a new family member in the house! Mr. Mac is a spectacular secondary character, and I love all the STEM talk included in the story. My two kids will love this one!

I loved this book!
I haven't read too many middle grade books that feature coding as a hobby but I have some students in mind who would love this in a book.
Looking forward to purchasing for my elementary libraries!

Before, Luz Véliz was a soccer star, her dad’s pride and joy, and a light in the neighborhood. But after Luz suffers a traumatic injury on the soccer field, everything changes, and she is left feeling set adrift in a world filled with disappointment. Luz must decide whether to continue attending soccer practice only to sit on the sidelines or to find another outlet for her energy and intelligence. Luckily, Luz has a kind and supportive neighbor who recognizes Luz’s affinity for gadgetry and helps to kindle an ember that begins to form within her. As Luz attempts to fill in the holes left behind from her injury, she finds the world to be a more complex and beautiful place than she ever imagined.

This early middle grade contemporary fiction story introduces readers to a girl named Luz whose life has been turned upside down at the age of 11 due to an injury that prevents her from continuing to pursue her passion for soccer. The disappointment and frustration Luz feels is amplified by both her adolescence and an added familial complication, and readers will recognize Luz’s emotional upheaval as she attempts to come to terms with the changes happening both in her world and in her relationships with her parents. The writing perfectly captures the intensity of these feelings, embedding them deep within the reader’s psyche before offering constructive solutions for managing them. Luz begins to undergo internal change with the help of a shift of focus to coding, and even readers unfamiliar with coding languages will feel comfortable with the level of detail and explanation included in this book.

Short chapters and engaging writing give this novel a rhythm that is easy to fall into. Younger middle grade readers will feel especially comfortable with the design of the book, though the content speaks to older readers, as well. At the center of this story, Luz is beginning to discover who she is while building herself into the person she wants to become. The world is opening up for her at the same time, though, and this is often a challenging and uncomfortable experience. As the complexities of family dynamics, global violence, illness, and the threat of deportation arise, Luz’s personal struggles are put into perspective, which inspires both Luz and the reader to think differently about their own lives. At the end of the book, readers find recipes for some of the foods described in the story, a list of famous scientists mentioned in the narrative, and an author’s note with more information about the impetus of the novel. This is an emotional and heartfelt addition to libraries for early middle grade readers.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book...4.5 stars! This is really middle grade at its finest...highly relatable themes, great length, engaging characters, and interesting plot. Great discussion opportunities around overcoming obstacles, immigration, friendship, family, and mentor relationships. I loved the STEM themes and it made me want to work on coding!

I did struggle a bit with how the parents expected Luz to handle the unexpected addition of Solana, because I felt like her response was to be expected.

I loved this story! So much! I cannot wait for it to be out, so I can recommend it to readers! I mean the book is all about overcoming a loss of a passion, redefining family, second language acquisition and conversing beyond languages, and STEM! So much girl power STEM! And all of this with a wonderful, fast-paces story!

Adorable! Just the kind of representation I need in my classroom. Students love seeing themselves in books and this is a great addition to my library!

Wow. Wow wow wow. What an AMAZING book to start the new year with. I haven't read Rebecca Balcárcel's debut yet, but if her sophomore book is any indication, I 100% get why her first story was a Pura Belpré Honor Book.

SHINE ON, LUZ VÉLIZ tackles two stories in one: that of Luz coming to terms with her soccer-ending injury and discovering coding, and that of Luz & her family learning to love a new member (Luz's Guatemalan half-sister) and reinventing what it means to be a unit.

Truly, this novel blew me away. I laughed. I cried. I debated learning coding via Scratch. It is the perfect story to share with any kids going through the ups and downs of a blended family, and it is *especially* the perfect book to share with any kid who you think might be interested in giving robotics a try.

Honestly, this middle grade is already one of my favorites of the year! That's how good it is.

Keep your eyes peeled! This gem comes out May 2022

Luz divides her life into before and after. She used to be a soccer star, tightly bonded to her dad who coached her team. Post injury Luz puts her trophies in the garbage and warms the bench. Her dad seems barely able to look at her. But when a massive surprise from her dad’s home country of Guatemala arrives on their doorstep, Luz and her family must rebuild their life. A retired tech-savvy neighbor, a chance encounter with robotics, and three bilingual classmates she’s overlooked, all offer clues to a new version of Luz. Luz’s growth feels real and messy, as she adapts to not being a star and her presumptions get in her way. Strong family support help her shift focus and build a new identity based on both challenge and acceptance.

The only confusing element is a tragic deportation that isn’t thoroughly integrated into the story. We are told a friend's brother has been unjustly deported and then killed by a gang when repatriated to Guatemala. Either the friend never appears in the story or there is a continuity error, as the three ESL friends who are named are from El Salvador, Mexico and Honduras. While the deportation and murder of Rodrigo is integral to the plot the fact that we never meet him or his sister (or his sister's country of origin was misrepresented) makes his death feel like a fridging - existing only to motivate the main characters.