A review by needleclicker
Saving Chupie by Amparo Ortiz, Ronnie Garcia

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.