Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation

Description: Thirteen-year-old Cuban American Gonzalo joins his estranged grandfather on road trip to promote his grandfather's fantasy book series.

Review Quotes: Praise for A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation by Pablo Cartaya:

A New York Times Bestseller
A 2026 Pura Belpré Children's Author Honor Book
An ALSC 2026 Notable Children's Book (Middle Grade Readers category)
A Publishers Weekly Summer Read
A Latinx in Publishing and Common Sense Media BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
2026 Texas Lone Star Reading List
A Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Awards (PADIBA) Longlisted MG/YA Book

★ "A touching intergenerational road trip epic that juxtaposes heavy themes surrounding loss with playful yet sophisticated interpretations of artistic integrity."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "Cartaya weaves humor, heartbreak, and a host of literary tropes and techniques into this complex tale of three grieving road trippers."
--Booklist, starred review

★ "Wondrous."
--Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Cleverly structured and sweetly engaging."
--Kirkus Reviews

"In this exploration of grief, generational impact, and healing, readers will find a book they can't put down."
--School Library Journal

"This intergenerational book spins each character's grief together and then, gives them a hero."
--Edith Campbell for School Library Journal's Pearl's & Ruby's blog

"Con humor, corazón y mucho viaje interior, esta novela es ideal para tweens que buscan una lectura cálida y emocionante, perfecta para el verano."
--People En Español