Stella Diaz Never Gives Up, relatable, can-do fun for ages 9-13

Stella Diaz Never Gives Up is the second book in the series by Angela Dominguez. Stella Diaz Has Something to Say and if it’s anything like this one then it’s the type of book series that gravitates to upper elementary through middle school kids like rain to a just-washed car. In reality, this is a book that will attract more girls than boy readers, but those lads that give the book a chance will find it a fun read.

You’ll never guess who the title character of the book is. Stella is a shy girl living in Chicago with her mother. Summer has just started and the routine boredom has just hit Stella. She’s an active, creative girl and thinking up things to do. Her mom is busy, but teacher her Spanish during their conversations. Stella has never explored her heritage too much and her lack of the language sometimes makes her self-conscious. Her older brother is cool, has a job and seemingly is always too busy to do anything with Stella.

All of this changes when her mom lets her know that she’s going to a marine life summer camp in Mexico. This is big news for her. She’s never even seen the ocean. Plus, she’s got the opportunity to make new friends in a language that she hears a lot and sometimes speaks.

Her best friend Jenny is staying back in Chicago because she’s got a really important dance recital coming up. She also has a pen pal named Stanley who offers her encouragement about everything in her life. Both of these points are important to the narrative of the book and its climax.

To nobody’s surprise, Stella absolutely loves camp. She learns lots about marine life, their habitat and the challenges that they’re facing. Inspired by her newfound subject matter and their details, she returns to Chicago determined to make a change.

Some older readers or parents might raise an eye here and expect the book to get preachy, but it doesn’t. The book also doesn’t speak down to its readers. Anyone reading the book might know the basics about reducing, reusing or recycling. However, Stella Diaz Never Gives Up offers up some real life tips on what kids or adults could do to help reduce plastic waste. I was genuinely surprised that I learned more than a couple points from the book, like using a metal straw, which is an excellent idea.

In the final act Jenny’s recital, Stella’s activism, her family and more all intersect in a way that give the book a satisfying conclusion that ages 8 through 13 will enjoy. They’ll also enjoy the fact that the book doesn’t speak down to them. It’s a real slice of a girl’s life that’s trying to figure out her life in Chicago, yet has lots of other interests on land, in the sea and in another language.

The chapters in Stella Diaz Never Gives up are around nine pages long and have a couple of illustrations throughout the book. Those on the younger range might have some challenges with the book, but those in fourth grade and up will be able to read the book with ease.

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