Midnight War of Mateo Martinez

Description: Life is confusing for Mateo Martinez. He and Johnny Ramirez don't hang out anymore, even though they used to be best friends. He and his new friend Ashwin try to act like brave, old-time knights, but it only gets them in trouble. His parents keep telling him to hold his sister's hand when crossing busy streets, even though she's the one who always runs ahead. And last night, two skunks stole Mateo's old trike.

Brief description: Robin Yardi is a children's book author and a California credentialed teacher. She lives in the hills of Santa Barbara with too many pets and just the right number of children.

Review Quotes:

"Utilizing a gentle sense of humor and incisive insight, the author negotiates Mateo's developing identity with aplomb, especially his Mexican-American heritage. . . . A magnificent novel that defines what it is to be an older brother, a friend, and, yes, even a knight."--starred, Kirkus Reviews