Goalie work: Mikah wearing the mitts.

Sandia Cup 2015

Bernalillo NM

LBK FC 06

A pivotal game for LBK FC 06, the boys are tied and have to go to Penalty Kicks (PKs). Mikah's at the goal and for all intents and purposes, he does a great job. He stopped all but two shots. There is a question about one of the shots our boys took: does it go in or does it not?

The ref didn't score it as a goal, and so the boys lost this game that would've given them a shot at the championship; they are actually the team that scored the most goals, and except for this one PK or the missed call, they would've played for 1st on Monday AM. They came in a respectable 3rd place, though. Congrats to them and Coach Adams!

Sonia Nieto and Nikki Grimes Read My Latin@s In Kid Lit Post! And More!

So yeah, I got news from the folks over at Latin@s in Kid Lit that after two days my blog post "Forgive Me My Bluntness" had got 1,400 views (of which, I must admit, a bunch belong to me, but still).

Among all the 1,400 were a few notables: noted multiculturalist Sonia Nieto emailed me her response, and then I got a Tweet from Cindy Rodriguez in which she linked to Nikki Grimes' personal blog in which she posted the following: Grimes' "Mr. Cellophane," an essay on diversity in kids lit.

Do I have to say, I'm thrown for a loop, and am super honored that they read my piece, but how cool that another several hundred read it too.

Latin@s in Kid Lit Essay: On Diversity in Books for Children and the YA

Follow this link for my essay "Forgive Me My Bluntness: I'm a Writer of Color and I'm Right Here In Front of You: I'm the One Sitting Alone at the Table".

Don Tate: Book People's "Modern First Library" selection

Yeah! Elated that Don Tate, a master illustrator and author, selected Dale, dale, dale for his list of diverse books to read: http://www.bookpeople.com/don-tate-modern-first-library-recommendations. I've got to get reading.

SLJ: Every Child Ready to Read by Tim Wadham

Hey, so Tim Wadham in his most recent piece for the School Library Journal added my and Carolyn's book to his bilingual/song titles in speaking up for Every Child Ready to Read program: http://www.slj.com/2014/07/collection-development/libro-por-libro/storytime-fiesta-incorporating-every-child-ready-to-read-in-bilingual-programs/.

My Piece on "Reflections" for Latinas 4 Latino Literature

For a second year in a row, I've had the honor and the pleasure to write a short essay for Latinas 4 Latino Literature. When Monica Olivera (follow her at MommyMaestra.com, Latinas4LatinLit.org, and on twitter @LatinMami and @Latinas4LatLit) calls, I answer. This year she invited me to submit a piece on "Reflections." Click on the link, to read My "Reflections" essay on Eva Smith's blog, TechFoodLife.com.

1st Review of Dale, dale, dale: una fiesta de numeros/Hit It, Hit It, Hit It: A Fiesta of Numbers

Follow this link to read the first review of my upcoming picture book, Dale, dale, dale: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/rene-saldana-jr/dale-dale-dale-hit-it-hit-it-hit-it/. It is a story of a boy's 12th birthday and all the day's goings-on. It is a bilingual format. And check it out, I got to do both the Spanish and the English.

I don't yet have the official cover, and so I'm not posting an image of it yet. But I will.

I'm excited to publish this alongside picture book writer and illustrator Carolyn Dee Flores (Canta, Rana, Canta--Piñata Books).

The book is out May 31st.