The Chismosas Only Book Club

By: Laekan Zea Kemp

Narrated by: Yenni Ann Wong, Daisy Guevara, Sean Kenin Elias-Reyes, Elena Rey, Victoria Villarreal, Kyla Garcia, Alejandra Reynoso, Diana Bustelo, Rene Ruiz

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants meets Mexikid in this heart-warming novel with illustrations about four friends and the magical bookstore that holds them together.

Cat, Sofia, Ana, and Mari are best friends. Nothing, nada, can break their bond. When Cat’s mom scolds them for their loud cackling at the bookstore, calling them a bunch of chismosas, the name sticks. Cat creates the The Chismosas Only Book Club, giving the girls a way to stay connected as they begin high school.

But ninth grade is hard, and it seems like no amount of conchas y libros y risas at Milagro’s Books, founded generations ago by Cat’s great-great-great-grandmother, can repair the ever-growing cracks in their friendship. But maybe the spirit of Milagro herself can . . .

Brimming with whimsy and heart, and woven with black-and-white graphic novel chapters, this enchanting book celebrates the magic of friendship, the embrace of ancestors, and the power of stories to hold us together.

Also available in Spanish, from Vintage Español.


* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF which contains Mari's awesome illustrated comics, and the Books Referenced list from the book.

Critic reviews

"An ode to friendship and books, perfect for readers on the precipice of adolescence." —SLJ

"A nuanced and insightful portrayal of young teen friendship." —Kirkus