Stream

Two teens are sent to Mexico for the summer to unplug in this hilarious, richly drawn, and thought-provoking dual narrative, perfect for fans of Darius the Great Is Not Okay, The First State of Being, and Ultraviolet.

Newly graduated 8th graders Celi and Elio don't know each other, but after a catfishing incident in their Oakland, California community goes viral, both sets of parents discover their recent screen overuse. Independently, they have the "brilliant" idea to ship the kids off to the same rancho in Mexico for two months, thinking it will help them detox from their devices and reconnect with themselves.
In the middle of nowhere-without internet, electricity, or even running water-the two meet and bond over their miserable fates: Celi is forced to spend her days helping in a primitive healing clinic with her eccentric tías while Elio carts sticks and logs to rehabilitate a river. But day by day, amidst the stark beauty and cultural richness of rural Mexico, with crushes blooming, Celi and Elio each shed a little of their online selves and begin to understand what it means to embrace nature, connect to culture, and cultivate authenticity.
Featuring the main characters from Aida Salazar's award-winning novels Ultraviolet and The Moon Within, Stream crackles with humor, wisdom, and relatable themes. It speaks directly to teens and will make them feel seen.
Praise for Ultraviolet:
A PURA BELPRÉ AWARD HONOR BOOK
ALA Notable Children's Book
School Library Journal Best Book
"Savagely funny and deeply human. . . .Each poem bursts with energy...Weaves sharp, witty social commentary into the narrative without being didactic. . . . Salazar, whose son helped inspire the novel, depicts Elio's emotional trajectory with grace and empathy. 'Ultraviolet' beautifully captures the essence of what it means to be a boy trying to make himself into a good man." -New York Times Review
* "Salazar writes from a place of abundant empathy. . . . Her frank but thoughtful approach to puberty and sexuality . . . provides valuable life lessons to young readers without tilting into preachiness. . . . Could inspire in-depth conversations on the broad spectrum of coming-of-age narratives and experiences. Yet another heartfelt and accessible tale of growing up from one of the best in modern children's literature." -School Library Journal, starred review
* "Written in Salazar's stunning and highly accessible verse . . . this novel stands out for the thoughtful way it expresses a young boy's perspective as it discusses topics such as masculinity and consent. . . . A story that sings to the soul." -Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "In a succinct, conversational style, Salazar (A Seed in the Sun) humorously and introspectively depicts the effects of puberty on Elio's everyday life as he grapples with confusing messaging he receives about how to be a man. Issues around consent and patriarchal systems are handled with insight and sensitivity, culminating in a compassionate verse novel about first love, heartbreak, and vulnerability." -Publishers Weekly, starred review
* "Salazar's verse is captivating. . .Commenting on topics that range from patriarchy to colonialism, the internet to peer pressure, and first loves to heartbreaks, Salazar delivers a fully intersectional look at what it means to try to embody masculinity without toxicity. She filled a gap she saw in middle grade literature, and countless readers will see themselves in the pages, regardless of race or gender, but especially Latino boys." -Book Page, starred review
"Ultraviolet is a lyrical explosion, true and beautiful, of the pains and joys of growing into a good man." - Francisco X. Stork, award-winning author of I Am Not Alone and Marcelo in the Real World
"Honest and poignant. Aida Salazar hits the mark with this important and intensely relatable tale that perfectly captures the angst of growing up. A true gift to maturing tweens everywhere." - Ernesto Cis