Sofia Valdez, Future Prez

Sofia Valdez proves that community organizers of any age can have a positive impact.

After a trash-heap eyesore causes an injury to her beloved abuelo, Sofia springs into action to bring big change to her neighborhood. The simple rhymes of the text follow Sofia on her journey from problem through ideas to action as she garners community support for an idyllic new park to replace the dangerous junk pile. When bureaucracy threatens to quash Sofia’s nascent plan, she digs deep and reflects that “being brave means doing the thing you must do, / though your heart cracks with fear. / Though you’re just in Grade Two.” Sofia’s courage yields big results and inspires those around her to lend a hand. Implied Latinx, Sofia and her abuelo show more have medium brown skin, and Sofia has straight brown hair (Abuelo is bald). Readers will recognize Iggy Peck, Rosie Revere, and Ada Twist from Beaty’s previous installments in the Questioneers series making cameo appearances in several scenes. While the story connects back to the title and her aptitude for the presidency in only the second-to-last sentence of the book, Sofia’s leadership and grit are themes throughout. Roberts’ signature illustration style lends a sense of whimsy; detailed drawings will have readers scouring each page for interesting minutiae.

Fun but earnest, this rhyming romp reminds readers that one young person can make a difference. (Picture book. 5-8) show less

This is a great addition to a great series. I find that they cadence in this book can be broken in places and it takes the reader from the story, but overall it’s a fine read. Sofia wants to change a landfill to a park, but realizes she cannot do it alone. She goes to city hall to get her dreams accomplished and realized what it takes to bring others together for the betterment of her community.

Sofia Valdez loves walking to and from school with her puppy and her abuelo, until Mount Trashmore, the community landfill, comes crashing in. Sofia is determined to do something about this dangerous eyesore, and the community rallies with her to turn this space into a park. Sofia is scared to speak up -- she's only in second grade, and people remind her she's "just a kid" -- but when she appeals to the compassion of others, Sofia determinedly brings even more people together to go through the process of making a neighborhood park. Another realistic tale of a young person with a dream, and the work it takes to make dreams come true at any age. This book is full of delightful language. This author is quickly becoming a favorite for me show more – so thoughtful with narrative and style. I listened to and looked at this book via a read-aloud done by the excellent actor Gina Torres for Save with Books/Save the Children. The read-aloud was superb and I highly recommend it! See it here: https://www.instagram.com/p/B-S2NkvnX8L/ show less

Sofia Valdez, Future Prez was such a cute story about a 2nd grade little girl named Sofia. It begins by telling us that little Sofia loved helping others and grew up giving back to her community, then one day after an accident at the local landfill, she decides that they need to work together to turn Trash Mountain into a city park for everyone to enjoy. Thus, the book is about Sofia Valdez's journey and struggles to achieve her goal, and about the definition of bravery. All in all, such a cute book about courage, community, and family. From a diversity standpoint, Sofia Valdez is Hispanic and being raised by her Abuelo, great representation for both LatinX students and those being raised by non-parent guardians. It also has ties to show more politics through the forms of protests and petitions and city hall and the mayor, so it has cross content connections to Social Studies. show less

Sofia is an amazing character. She is a kind young girl with an activists heart. When she finds a problem in her neighborhood she stops at nothing to find a way to solve it. After realizing no one at city hall will help her she gathers her neighbors to save the day.

This is such a cute and rewarding read, it connections to being raised by a caregiver instead of parent, has latinx representation, and has ties to social studies with the use of protest and petitions. Would add and create lesson.

Sofia Valdez is a community organizer who sees a need and gets things done, a la Leslie Knope (Parks & Rec). A worthy addition to the series (Rosie Revere, Engineer; Iggy Peck, Architect; Ada Twist, Scientist).