Undercover Latina

September 5, 2022
Andréa Hernández-Baldoquín, 14, is on her first lead mission as a full agent of the Factory, a government-unaffiliated “international intelligence organization that serves people of color,” for which she, her Mexican father, Puerto Rican mother, and brother are all spies. Undercover in Carson, Ariz., Andréa, passing as white “ANN-drea” with only her mother as backup, must befriend Kyle Summer, the estranged son of a white supremacist threatening a “localized Armageddon.” Getting close to Kyle means not only withstanding inclusion in a clique of classmates who call themselves “First Class,” but also learning the ins and outs of Kyle’s favorite fantasy card game and spending time with his cute Latino best friend, Ramón Santiago. As reinforcements arrive in the form of a second teenage agent, Andréa struggles to juggle the case, her budding feelings for Ramón, and maintaining her cover as white. Portraying Andréa as a spy skilled in espionage, quick problem-solving, and making visual connections, De León (A Spy in the Struggle, for adults) adeptly interrogates themes of ageism, colorism, institutional racism, and sexism, layering them with a thrilling tale of a teenage girl. Ages 10–14. Agent: Jenni Ferrari-Adler, Union Literary.

October 1, 2022
Grades 6-9 This upper-middle-grade debut is a fast-paced spy novel that weaves difficult issues like race, identity, and belonging into a fun, engaging, and geeky adventure. Fourteen-year-old Andr�a Hern�ndez-Baldoqu�n and her family are members of the Factory, an international spy organization founded to protect people of color. For her first mission as lead agent, Andr�a must go undercover to befriend the estranged, high school-age son of a white-supremacist terrorist. The catch? She'll have to become "Andrea Burke" and pass as a white girl. Everything from her hair to the way she pronounces her name must be sacrificed for the mission. The operation (and her feelings on identity) becomes even more complicated when she finds herself falling for her target's Latine best friend. Undercover Latina takes the fantastical idea of a teenage spy and grounds it in the emotions and issues faced by contemporary teens. Its social commentary feels neither heavy handed nor patronizing to younger readers, and its honest, earnest conversations about tough topics make excellent jumping-off points for class discussions.

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October 1, 2022

Gr 5 Up-Fourteen-year-old Andr�a Hern�ndez-Baldoqu�n comes from a family of spies; they work for The Factory, an international organization that serves people of color. Andr�a goes undercover posing as a white teenager in Arizona, trying to infiltrate the high school and befriend Kyle, whose estranged father might be a dangerous white supremacist. With her mother, they become Andrea and Barbara Burke as they assimilate into the community. Andr�a finds out that her target, Kyle, is an avid player of an online fantasy card game called Tri�ngulo, and she learns how to play to befriend him. Things get tangled up when she develops feelings for Kyle's Latinx friend, Ram�n, but she can't divulge her own Latinx heritage. As a white girl, Andr�a observes racism toward the Latinx community from a new perspective and grapples with her hidden identity. Trying not to blow her cover when a potential deadly threat is unearthed, Andr�a travels with Kyle to the San Diego ComicCon as characters from Tri�ngulo. An author of spy novels for adults, de Leon tries her hand at her first foray into fiction for younger readers, and she has created a fast-paced, resonant story that touches on inter- and intra-community discrimination. VERDICT A strong selection for gamers and middle graders who enjoy action-packed narratives. With broad appeal to fans of spy novels, this title will engage tweens while offering a thoughtful conversation-starter. Highly recommended.-Michele Shaw

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Starred review from August 15, 2022
A teen spy is on her way to take down a White supremacist terrorist. Andr�a Hern�ndez-Baldoqu� is well aware that teenage girls are frequently underestimated, which is why at 14 she's the perfect spy to uncover a White supremacist plot. Alongside her family--Puerto Rican mom, Mexican dad, and little brother Carlos--she works for the Factory, an intelligence organization that serves people of color, and now's the time for her first complex mission: moving to Arizona and befriending Kyle Summer, the estranged son of a White supremacist who may be planning an attack in the Southwest. The catch, however, is why she was chosen: Among all their teen agents, she can best pass as White, and until she discovers intel on their target, Andr�a will be posing as Andrea Burke. This fast-paced adventure, de Le�n's first for younger readers, takes audiences on the ride of a lifetime. Andr�a spotlights racism, discovers friendship (after years of home schooling and constantly moving), develops her first crush, and deeply explores what it means to be Latine and a person of color. Social criticism is woven into a fun read centered on kids of color; the narrative is accessible and engaging, never shying away from difficult conversations about race and privilege or the many forms White supremacy can take. The cast of characters is rounded and three-dimensional, making Andr�a's story all the more believable. An engaging, insightful adventure with a heartfelt conclusion. (author's note) (Adventure. 10-14)

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