Saving Chupie

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

Nidhi Chanani’s Pashmina meets Encanto in Saving Chupie, a heartwarming middle grade graphic novel adventure about Violeta Rubio and her friends’ mission to protect their local chupacabra from international smugglers, set in a recovering town in Puerto Rico.

Violeta Rubio only has one goal in mind for her first-ever trip to Puerto Rico: help Abuelita reopen her beloved restaurant, La Casita. After the destruction wrought by Huracán Maria, La Casita needs all the help it can get. The only problem is that Violeta’s whole family thinks they can do it without her.Now Violeta doesn’t have anyone to hang out with or anything to do. But when best friend duo Diego and Lorena need help capturing the rumored chupacabra, Violeta sees her chance to change all that. What she isn’t expecting is to run straight into the beast! Only…he isn’t as monstrous as everyone assumes. Sure, he’s got some scales and spikes, big red eyes, and pointy fangs—but he’s a totally puppy and loyal to a fault.Violeta must find a way keep Chupie hidden and convince her newfound friends that he isn’t anything to be scared of. And if that isn’t hard enough, a new threat lurks around the corner that is dead set on capturing Chupie for their own nefarious means. Will Violeta be able to save Chupie from the danger that surrounds them without sacrificing everything else in the process?Saving Chupie captures the resilience of a young girl, a family, and an island in face of nearly impossible odds and proves that love and friendship conquers all in this timely new adventure inspired by Puerto Rican culture and lore.

About the Author

Amparo Ortiz was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and currently lives on the island’s northeastern coast. While Blazewrath Games is her debut novel, Saving Chupie is her first book for middle grade readers. Her short story comic, “What Remains in The Dark,” appears in the Eisner Award–winning anthology Puerto Rico Strong. Follow her shenanigans online at amparoortiz.com.Eisner Award–winning artist Ronnie Garcia is a queer Puerto Rican illustrator with experience in comics and visual development. With a range of storytelling experience from middle grade to young adult, their signature talent involves designing creatures of the tooth variety. They have illustrated for several independent anthologies, books, and currently teach young artists in their community.