Celia C. Pérez

Celia C. Pérez is a Cuban-American children's book author known for writing stories that explore themes of identity, family, and growing up in Latinx communities. Her debut middle-grade novel "The First Rule of Punk" (2017) received multiple accolades including the Pura Belpré Author Honor and was named a Best Book of the Year by NPR and The New York Times. Prior to becoming an author, Pérez worked as a librarian and continues to serve as a community college librarian in Chicago. Her background in libraries has influenced her understanding of children's literature and the importance of diverse representation in books. Pérez's writing often incorporates elements of punk rock culture, zine-making, and Mexican-American experiences. Her second novel "Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers" (2019) follows four young girls who form an alternative scout troop and tackle environmental and social justice issues in their Florida community. Her work is recognized for presenting authentic portrayals of bicultural youth and modern Latinx experiences in the United States. Pérez draws from her own experiences as a child of immigrants to create stories that resonate with young readers navigating multiple cultural identities.

Readers praise Pérez's authentic representation of Latinx characters and contemporary cultural themes in middle-grade fiction. Her books receive attention for addressing immigration, family dynamics, and identity without being didactic. Positives from reviews: - Characters feel real and relatable - Tackles complex topics at an age-appropriate level - Strong female protagonists who break stereotypes - Details about punk rock culture (Strange Birds) and Mexican-American traditions Common critiques: - Some readers found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few noted the plots could be more focused - Occasional mentions of confusing character relationships Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Strange Birds: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) - The First Rule of Punk: 4.1/5 (6,900+ ratings) - Tumble: 4.2/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: - Strange Birds: 4.7/5 - The First Rule of Punk: 4.8/5 - Tumble: 4.7/5

The First Rule of Punk (2017) A 12-year-old Mexican-American girl moves to Chicago and navigates middle school while expressing herself through punk music and creating zines.

Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers (2019) Four girls from different backgrounds form an alternative scout troop and work together to protest their town's annual beauty pageant.

Tumble (2022) A 12-year-old girl discovers her family's connection to Mexican lucha libre wrestling while trying to build a relationship with her absent father.