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By: Juana Martinez- Neal

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Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela has a very long name ,too long if you ask her! She wonders why she has so many names. Alma's father shares with her the meaning and story behind the names they chose for her. By listening she learns and feels connected to each and every one of them. In the end she becomes very proud to be named Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela and can't wait to make her own story.

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Juana Martinez - Neal

She was born in Lima the capital of Peru and now lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. "Alma and How She Got Her Name" was her debut picture book as an author-illustrator, and was awarded the 2019 Caldecott Honor.

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My Names is Juana Carlota Martinez Pizarro...

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My Names is Juana Carlota Martinez Pizarro...

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"My father named me Juana after his mother, Juana Francisca. My mother chose the name Carla to honor the memory of her uncle Carlos. My father was a man of decisions, so when it was time to register my birth, he changed Carla to Carlota on the birth certificate. He was convinced that Juana Carlota was the mighty name he wanted for his daughter. Thanks to that change, I got stuck with what I thought was the most old-fashioned, harsh, ugly, and way too Spanish name in all of Lima, Peru. Little did I know that later on, after I moved to the U.S it would feel unique and remind me every day of where I come from."

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Making Connections: Readers will be able to connect to the story themselves. What is the story of their own name? Some may connect with their first names or middles names . Readers can also connect the story to the world because they might know a friend or a family member that does have a story behind their given name. Readers will be able to get a deeper understanding by making their own personal connections to the story and relating with the main character, Alma!

Making Inferences:
Readers can make inferences as to why the author might of wrote this story in the first place. What do you think the authors message is? Are you curious now about your own name after reading this story? The author shares at the end of the story a quick bio about herself and her own name and explains how it reminds her of where she comes from.

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Loving ( Her father is very loving and sweet. He says at the end of the story

"I picked the name Alma just for you. You are the first and the only Alma. You will make your own story."

Attentive (He remembers all the stories of each name and history including every little detail).

" Pura was your great aunt. She believed that the spirits of our ancestors are always with us, watching over us. When you were born, she tied a red string around your wrist: a charm to keep you safe".

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"Alma and How She Got Her Name" (Candlewick Press) was my debut picture book as an author-illustrator, and was awarded the 2019 Caldecott Honor. I am also the illustrator of "La Princesa and the Pea" (written by Susan M. Elya, Putnam/Penguin), winner of the 2018 Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration.

The essence of ALMA, which has autobiographical elements, is "we are everyone that came before us, and at the same time, we are uniquely ourselves." Candlewick Press acquired the book in a seven publisher auction and published in simultaneous English-and Spanish-language editions.

I was born in Lima, the capital of Peru, and now live in Scottsdale, Arizona, with my husband, two sons, daughter, ginormous dog, Puppy, and the soul of our late cat, Kitty.

You can follow me on twitter and instagram to keep up to date with my latest work or you can subscribe to my blog (and hope that I blog).

For interviews, or publicity requests, please send a message to my publicist at Candlewick Press at publicity(at)candlewick.com. Due to my schedule, I am booking school and library visits for 2020 or later. If you are interested in booking me then, email me.

I am represented by Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel of Full Circle Literary.

Se habla español.

Awards & Recognitions:

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"Alma and How She Got Her Name" (Candlewick Press) was my debut picture book as an author-illustrator, and was awarded the 2019 Caldecott Honor. I am also the illustrator of "La Princesa and the Pea" (written by Susan M. Elya, Putnam/Penguin), winner of the 2018 Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration.

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Curious (Alma listens to her father tell the story about her full name with a lot of curiosity and excitement!)

Proud (In the end of the story Alma feels very connected and proud to have her name.)

"Thats my name, and it fits me just right! I am Alma, and I have a story to tell."

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2019 Caldecott Honor Book
2019 Ezra Jack Keats Award Writer Honor
2019 NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Title