PURA BELPRÉ AUTHOR HONOR AWARD • In this powerful novel in verse, a Texan teen fights against racism and book banning efforts in her town by creating a theatre club that speaks up and speaks out.

“A powerful love letter to finding and using your voice.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“The perfect read for teens who are being impacted by book banning and other sociopolitical changes.”—Booklist, starred review

Yulieta Lopez is accustomed to playing various roles: the diligent daughter, the honorable hija, the good girl who swallows the flames in her throat before they burn anyone. But the fire inside Yuli is spreading, and she can no longer be silent.

Because Yuli is angry. Angry at the school board threatening to ban books that made Yuli feel seen. Angry that she has to keep quiet until she can head to college and leave Texas forever. And angry at her racist drama teacher who refuses to cast Black students in lead roles. Determined to fight back, Yuli and her friends start a guerrilla theater club, which stirs things up and gets people talking, and finally, Yuli steps into the role she was always meant to play.

This powerful novel in verse is a timely story of resistance, a raw reflection of righteous anger in an unjust world, and a reminder that sometimes, the only way to be heard is to speak up and take center stage.

AN INTERNATIONAL LITERACY ASSOCIATION NOTABLE BOOK FOR A GLOBAL SOCIETY