Scan barcode
palmkd's review against another edition
4.5
Set in Puerto Rico, Violeta and her parents are helping Abuelita settle back in after the destruction of Hurricane María. Violeta knows Abuelita hasn't been happy away from home and she wants to do all she can to help. This story has magical creatures and adventure along with lessons about friendship and family. The story has Spanish sprinkled in which I really enjoy and the art is simply wonderful. Strongly recommend!
Content Warning: Kidnapping, post Hurricane María
MG - Contemporary: Magic Realism- Stand Alone
Format: Paperback
Content Warning: Kidnapping, post Hurricane María
MG - Contemporary: Magic Realism- Stand Alone
Format: Paperback
laurensbookvibes's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
howlinglibraries's review against another edition
4.0
Saving Chupie was so cute! I love cryptids, and I especially love chupacabras, so I've been eagerly awaiting this release and it didn't let me down. The art is stunning, Chupie is the cutest little guy, and I loved the storyline's themes of family, making friends, loyalty, forgiveness, and learning how to accept help even when we want to do everything on our own (for both adults and kids). I'd highly recommend this to any kid (or kid at heart) who enjoys fun adventure stories with monsters and beasties.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.
✨ Representation: all characters are Puerto Rican
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.
✨ Representation: all characters are Puerto Rican
hckilgour's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A super cute book with a good bit of Puerto Rican culture to boot.
So I really liked that this book semi focused on rebuilding after Hurricane Maria. Like I don’t think enough people realize how devastating that storm was.
But this book was also about friendship.
Mostly, I now want a iguana puppy aka a Chupacabra.
So I really liked that this book semi focused on rebuilding after Hurricane Maria. Like I don’t think enough people realize how devastating that storm was.
But this book was also about friendship.
Mostly, I now want a iguana puppy aka a Chupacabra.
therearenobadbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
5.0
Awww I loved this story, it had two main focuses, returning grandmother to her house in Puerto Rico, after the devastation of Hurricane Maria, rebuilding La Casita her restaurant, and saving a local legendary animal that is accused of killing the local cattle. The grown-ups want Violeta to enjoy her days as a child, but she makes new friends and they investigate what they can to protect Chupie, who appeared to Violeta.
It's adventurous and funny with great facial expressions, movement, an amazing climax, and also an amazing conclusion to both focuses. I loved the three friends stepping up and saving the day.
At the end of the book, there are a few pages like a traveling journal with some of the local animals that are not so legendary.
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this eARC.
It's adventurous and funny with great facial expressions, movement, an amazing climax, and also an amazing conclusion to both focuses. I loved the three friends stepping up and saving the day.
At the end of the book, there are a few pages like a traveling journal with some of the local animals that are not so legendary.
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this eARC.
noreimerreason's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
abooklikeyou's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
5.0
I've never wanted anything like a lizard as a pet before, nor have I ever envisioned them being cuddly creatures... but you better believe I need a Chupacabra baby after reading this sweet story!
The illustrations really brought this story to life. I enjoyed both the friendship and family dynamics explored in this cultural, adventure story. I have no doubt that everyone will fall in love with Chupie. This is one you don't want to miss!
The illustrations really brought this story to life. I enjoyed both the friendship and family dynamics explored in this cultural, adventure story. I have no doubt that everyone will fall in love with Chupie. This is one you don't want to miss!
brulereads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
needleclicker's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Violeta and her family visit Puerto Rico to help her abuelita reopen her restaurant, damaged in a hurricane. Violeta quickly gets frustrated with not being allowed to help, until she makes friends with Diego and Lorena. But all is not well - something is draining animals of blood. When helping investigate, a baby chupacabra saves Violeta from stepping on a snare. The girls name it Chupie and take it home with them.
The vibrant, fun illustration style is the perfect accompaniment for a story about friendship, family, facing fears, and standing up for what you believe in. Chupie is adorable and the human characters are well-developed and interesting. This is a fun read perfect for kids, whether they are into fantasy or not.
The vibrant, fun illustration style is the perfect accompaniment for a story about friendship, family, facing fears, and standing up for what you believe in. Chupie is adorable and the human characters are well-developed and interesting. This is a fun read perfect for kids, whether they are into fantasy or not.
reading_meg's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC!
- this was so cute and wholesome and sweet!! I loved how it didn’t feel patronizing while still modeling some incredible social emotional challenges. Some MG books can come off very moralizing and heavy handed, but this one did such a great job of avoided that!
- I loved the story!! Any kids who love animals will love this book. If I had read this as a kid, I would’ve been out in the woods behind my house looking for a lost baby chupacabra to befriend.
- I hope this becomes a series, because the monster hunting plot line ended in a way that would set up sequels well.
- the way the family handled helping the grandma in Puerto Rico was so well done. The transition between Spanish and English was easy to understand as someone who doesn’t speak much Spanish at all. The teacher in me thought about how great of a tool those sections could be for teaching the mechanics of context clues.
- this was so cute and wholesome and sweet!! I loved how it didn’t feel patronizing while still modeling some incredible social emotional challenges. Some MG books can come off very moralizing and heavy handed, but this one did such a great job of avoided that!
- I loved the story!! Any kids who love animals will love this book. If I had read this as a kid, I would’ve been out in the woods behind my house looking for a lost baby chupacabra to befriend.
- I hope this becomes a series, because the monster hunting plot line ended in a way that would set up sequels well.
- the way the family handled helping the grandma in Puerto Rico was so well done. The transition between Spanish and English was easy to understand as someone who doesn’t speak much Spanish at all. The teacher in me thought about how great of a tool those sections could be for teaching the mechanics of context clues.