On this episode, Mariela shares with us three book recommendations for this Summer. 

Mariela, our favorite Dreamcatcher, is driven by stories that relate to her Dominican roots, the pursuit of the American dream without forgetting our traditions and a deep commitment to serve our youth by giving back.

Mariela's picks: 

Dominicana by Angie Cruz

Fifteen-year-old Ana Cancion never dreamed of moving to America, the way the girls she grew up with in the Dominican countryside did. But when Juan Ruiz proposes and promises to take her to New York City, she has to say yes. It doesn’t matter that he is twice her age, that there is no love between them. Their marriage is an opportunity for her entire close-knit family to eventually immigrate. So on New Year’s Day, 1965, Ana leaves behind everything she knows and becomes Ana Ruiz, a wife confined to a cold six-floor walk-up in Washington Heights. Lonely and miserable, Ana hatches a reckless plan to escape. But at the bus terminal, she is stopped by Cesar, Juan’s free-spirited younger brother, who convinces her to stay.

As the Dominican Republic slides into political turmoil, Juan returns to protect his family’s assets, leaving Cesar to take care of Ana. Suddenly, Ana is free to take English lessons at a local church, lie on the beach at Coney Island, see a movie at Radio City Music Hall, go dancing with Cesar, and imagine the possibility of a different kind of life in America. When Juan returns, Ana must decide once again between her heart and her duty to her family.

In bright, musical prose that reflects the energy of New York City, Angie Cruz's Dominicana is a vital portrait of the immigrant experience and the timeless coming-of-age story of a young woman finding her voice in the world.

Un Leon en Cabarete by Ana Galan

Isabella says she’s seen a lion at the beach. A lion in Cabarete? Impossible! Her friends and may more people will accompany her to see if it is true. 

A children’s book that aims to build a culture of reading in the Dominican Republic. This book was inspired by Ana Galán’s initial visit to DREAM schools during the first MVOL book fair in December 2014, which led to her returning to help students write a fun and engaging book for their community. 

Dominicanas Fuera de Serie

This book presents the lives of extraordinary Dominicanas who have actively participated in the construction of the Domincan Republic. Through this book, you will know more than 120 stories of extraordinary Dominicanss in a 500 year time line, with outstanding protagonists from all disciplines: politics, art, economy, culture, sciences, sports and others. Written by Géraldine de Santis and illustrated by Kilia Llano.