“Yes! Can we invite Diego and Izzy?” I ask. I hope to finally ask Izzy to join the Sea Musketeers now that everything is back to normal with the club.
“Great idea!” she replies, and then gets on the phone.
Nick wakes up after he hears us moving the living room furniture around.
“What are you two doing down there?” He has his blanket around him. “And why is it so cold?”
“It’s snowing, Nick!” I reply.
“Big deal, it always snows in Chicago,” he says. Then he looks out the window. “Whoa! That’s a lot of snow for October.”
I giggle out of excitement. Mom and I nod.
“I guess no driving lessons today,” he says, scratching his head.
“Instead, we’re going to do indoor day camping, niño!” says Mom.
I add, “And Diego and Izzy are joining us in a little bit.”
Nick doesn’t say anything. He just drops his blanket and helps us make space for all the sleeping bags. In Nick code, that means he’s in, too. We then start a fire in the fireplace. Finally, we use the largest pot we have to make Abuelita, Mexican hot chocolate, on the stove. It’s better than regular hot chocolate because it has spices in it. At least, my family thinks so.
As soon as we’re all set up, Diego and Izzy make the hike across the street with their sleeping bags.
“I can’t believe we’re camping again so soon, Díaz family,” says Diego as he enters the house.
The five of us spread our sleeping bags on the living room floor. Mom even puts on an online video of a fireplace.
“That way, we’re extra toasty,” she says. “With two campfires.”
We sit around playing board games as the snow continues to fall outside. I don’t know whether we will have school tomorrow or whether the Sea Musketeers will persuade the city council to ban single-use plastic. I also don’t know if my new schedule will work as perfectly as I hope. But none of that matters for now. I’ll have plenty of time to worry about all my big dreams later. All that matters is, in this moment, everything around me on this snowy day is perfecto and I wouldn’t change a single thing.
Author’s Note
When imagining a third story for Stella, I thought there is no bigger adventure than starting a new grade. A new grade brings opportunities and challenges, both of which Stella is now better equipped to handle.
I hope Stella’s story encourages all kids to dream big as well. The kids who might be shy. The kids who take speech classes. The kids who emigrated from a different place. I see myself and Stella in you. And just like Stella, you are all stars and full of potential.
Childhood is the time to dream big, when anything is possible. Kids should stay curious and explore their different interests. People often ask me whether I always knew I wanted to make books for children when I grew up. The truth is, I didn’t. I considered being an architect, a director, a lawyer, or a jefa like my mom. Having so many interests and curiosities informed my point of view and my books. That said, it’s important to take breaks just as Stella’s mom encourages her to do. Some of your best ideas come when your mind is resting. Dear reader, don’t be afraid to ask for help when things get overwhelming, too.
Finally, on a different note, I wanted to share why I chose to use italics for the Spanish words in my books about Stella. This was a thoughtful decision to make the language clear and to make the story inclusive for all readers, especially ones who are Stella’s age or younger who may not be familiar with Spanish or may have trouble speaking it. I know firsthand how challenging it can be when you feel confused between the two languages. My hope is that all readers feel welcome to get to know Stella and join her adventures.
Acknowledgments
I’m thrilled to be writing acknowledgments for a third time. First, I have to thank my family: my mom, my big brother Alejandro, his family, and my extended family in Mexico. I love you all. Big thanks to my friends, especially Mary Benedetto for being my beta reader. I also must thank my boyfriend, Kyle, and our rescue dog, Petunia. Thank you for making my life sweeter and supplying endless amounts of love. I’d be lost without you.
I’d also like to thank the people involved in the creation of this book. Thank you to my agent, Linda Pratt, and my great editorial team, Connie Hsu and Megan Abbate. Connie and Megan, you push me every time, and I’m a better author because of you. A huge thank-you to Kristie Radwilowicz for her wonderful collaboration on the covers. She’s the wizard behind the fantastic text design and composition. Thank you to everyone at Roaring Brook Press, including Jennifer Besser, Beth Clark, Michelle Gengaro, and Avia Perez. I have to also thank the marketing and publicity teams at Macmillan, especially Lucy Del Priore, Katie Halata, Melissa Croce, and Mary Van Akin. Thank you for championing this book and getting it into the hands of educators and librarians. You are the best!
Finally, I’d like to thank the readers who made the series possible. These are the educators, students, SCBWI, and the bloggers. I have to especially thank Pernille Ripp and the Global Read Aloud community. Having the opportunity to share Stella Díaz Has Something to Say with readers around the world was life changing. The experience made the world feel a little smaller and a little brighter. It’s also an experience I will never forget. Thank you!
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And stay tuned for Stella’s
next adventure …
It’s a new calendar year and Stella is determined to make it her best year yet. Stella and her family are finally becoming US citizens, and the Sea Musketeers are presenting their plastics pledge to the school council. Now that she has her trusty schedule, what could possibly go wrong? But when life takes unexpected turns, Stella will fight to keep her perfect year on track. Don’t worry, Stella Díaz is coming to the rescue! Right?
Look for
Stella Díaz to the Rescue
in 2022 wherever books are sold.
Also by Angela Dominguez
Stella Díaz Has Something to Say
Stella Díaz Never Gives Up
About the Author
Angela Dominguez was born in Mexico City, grew up in the great state of Texas, and now resides on the east coast. She is the author and illustrator of several books for children including Maria Had a Little Llama, which received the American Library Association Pura Belpré Illustration Honor. Recently, she received her second Pura Belpré Honor for her illustrations in Mango, Abuela, and Me written by Meg Medina. When Angela is not in her studio, she teaches at the Academy of Art University, which honored her with their Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013. She also enjoys presenting at different schools and libraries to all sorts of ages. Angela is a proud member of SCBWI, PEN America, and represented by Wernick and Pratt Literary Agency. As a child, she loved reading books and making a mess creating pictures. She’s delighted to still be doing both. You can sign up for email updates here.
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Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
Also by Angela Dominguez
About the Author
Copyright
Copyright © 2021 by Angela Dominguez
Published by Roaring Brook Press
Roaring Brook Press is a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership
120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271
mackids.com
All rights reserved
Library of Congress Control Number: 2020912219
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eISBN 978-1-250-76309-9
First hardcover edition, 2021
eBook edition, 2021