Allie, First at Last: A Wish Novel

About this book

Is winning top prize worth losing a friend?

Junko Tabei: The first woman to reach the top of Mount Everest.

Rita Moreno: The first Hispanic actress to win an Academy Award.

Gwendolyn Brooks: The first African American author to win the Pulitzer Prize.

Allie Velasco: ???

Allie Velasco wants to win. Something. Everyone in her family is a standout in some way and Allie is determined to make her mark.

When a prestigious school competition is announced, Allie knows this is her shot. There’s just one problem—her biggest competition is her ex-best friend Sara.

Can Allie take top prize and win back a friend—or is she destined to lose it all?

Angela Cervantes deftly uses an appealing commercial voice to explore universal tween issues like making and keeping friends, dealing with family, and finding your place in the world.

Reviews

Praise for Allie, First at Last:

"A sweet middle-grade read that promotes compassion and empathy over competitiveness." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Laced with Mexican-American language and culture, this realistic drama is filled with gentle humor, big lessons, and even bigger heart." -- Publishers Weekly

Praise for Gaby, Lost and Found:

“A timely, touching and nuanced portrayal of real-life challenges experienced by

children in mixed-status families.”-- Kirkus Reviews

“An emotionally compelling story.” – School Library Journal

“A timely and important story about immigration, deportation, and abandonment

wrapped in a warm-hearted tale that will appeal to all.” -- Sonia Manzano, Emmy

Award-winning actress who plays “Maria” on Sesame Street and Pura Belpre Honor

Award-winning author of The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano.