QUESO, JUST IN TIME

A grieving 12-year-old falls back in time to 1985 and meets his father.

Quetzalcóatl Castillo Anguiano was named in honor of his grandfather and the Nahua god of creation. Queso, as everyone calls him, lives in the same house in Orange County where his father grew up. He dearly misses Dad, a security guard who was killed by an armed robber. Queso’s abuelo passed away when he was little, and his abuelita returned to México to help her ailing sister. Alone one night while his mom is working late, Queso spots a moonbow, cuddles Horchata—the mysterious white rabbit that recently turned up—and falls asleep wishing he could see his dad one more time. He’s stunned to be granted his wish, awakening to discover 12-year-old Pancho, his dad, as well as Abuelita and Quetzalcóatl Sr., living in their house. Wide-eyed, often humorous, observations of how times have changed, as well as fast-paced, seamless prose lighten Queso’s poignant journey through the past. The more Queso gets to know Pancho as a friend and peer, the harder it becomes to think about leaving, though in his heart he knows he’ll have to say goodbye to his father again. But before he does, this thoughtful, modern-day middle schooler plants seeds of encouragement in the ’80s that may change everything for his family’s future, something readers will cheer on. The premise is gripping, and kind, considerate Queso is a relatable and well-developed lead.

A hopeful, beautifully written page-turner.