The Story of My Anger

Dominican American teen Yulieta Lopez—who believes that “anything and anyone/ is possible” in theater—aches to make drama club history as her Texas high school’s first Black lead in a production. Offstage, Yuli plays the role of a rule-following, “honorable hija,” who never stresses Mami enough to flare her lupus. But it’s hard to be Mami’s “easy river” when discrimination corrupts the spring musical and anti-DEI legislation ousts favorite books from the curriculum. The social activism of her older brother and her favorite teacher inspire Yuli to seek change. Despite her fears of being perceived by others as “the angry Black girl,” Yuli channels her “five-alarm fire” anger into positive action through guerrilla theater performances that conjure conversation—but at what personal cost? In this poignant novel, Mendez (Aniana del Mar Jumps In) marries verse poems with playwriting in a narrative that centers timely questions about banned books and free speech. Passionate text that braids together Spanish and English deftly depicts Yuli’s journey from an aspiring actor in the wings of the real world to the fearless “leading lady” of her own life. Characters are intersectionally diverse. Ages 12–up. Agent: Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel, Full Circle Literary. (Sept.)