Stella Diaz Has Something to Say

Stella Diaz Has Something to Say is about a young Mexican-American girl who loves

spending time with her older brother and mother and her betta fish. However, Stella

is a shy kid outside of her home (much like Alvin Ho) and is having trouble making

friends. She wishes for a Spanish-speaking friend when a new kid is scheduled to

arrive at school and she sometimes says Spanish words when she is speaking English.

(Known as “code-switching”). She also takes speech classes. So much of this book is

imbued with language; the language of love, Stella’s love of Spanish, and her use of

‘Spanglish’. This is a charming book about fitting-in, growing up, and finding your

voice written by a second-generation Mexican-American author.