Mari in the Margins

Mari in the Margins is my middle grade novel in verse (and doodles!), published by Bandersnatch Books. 

Mari in the Margins is the story of 12-year-old Marivel Jimenez, the middle child in a family of nine kids who often feels overwhelmed and overlooked in her family. She longs to be seen, but at the same time she has a hard time recognizing anything in herself that is worthy of notice. But there is clearly something that stands out about each of her siblings (especially her tiny, adorable, and super annoying 3-year-old sister Susana). When Mari learns of a poetry contest at school, she sees it as her opportunity to move from the margins to the spotlight. If only her chaotic family would stop holding her back long enough for her to write a contest-worthy poem! But it could be that the chaos is just what her muse needs.

This is a book about figuring out where you fit in a world that can often be overwhelming and confusing, and even a little bit scary. It's about learning to embrace the parts of your life that you can't control so that they help you grow instead of hold you back. It's about navigating friendship and family dynamics while discovering what you have to offer the world. If you have a young reader who enjoys school stories, friendship stories, family stories, and/or poetry, this book could be just the thing! Order it today from Bandersnatch Books! You can also find it on Amazon.

Download the Mari in the Margins Study Guide. 

Watch the book trailer: