The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class #4 The Legend of Memo Castillo

Ages 6 to 9, Grades 1 to 4

In the exciting new KIDS IN MRS. Z'S CLASS chapter-book series, every book is written by a different beloved author and stars a different kid in the class. With Book Four, written by National Book Award winner William Alexander, Memo Castillo is excited to attend his first-ever fan convention with his best friend, Theo Chang -- but when their transportation plans go awry, will they get to live out their dreams?

Guillermo "Memo" Castillo and Theo Chang have been best friends since they were in kindergarten, and now they're partners in Sorcery too -- the mega-popular collectible card game, that is. Memo and Theo are excited to attend the upcoming science fiction & fantasy fan convention not far from Peppermint Falls. They plan to dress up in costumes, play in their first-ever Sorcery competition, defeat that arrogant fifth grader Josh Harkan in the tournament, and have an awesome day.

But Memo's dad can't drive them to the convention. His mom can't either. Theo's family is out as well. That leaves just one option:  Memo's fearsome abuela. Lala doesn't speak English, though, and Memo doesn't speak Spanish. The two of them have never been able to really connect or communicate. But when Lala unexpectedly agrees to take Memo and Theo to the convention, it opens up a whole new set of adventures and challenges -- along with a kind of magic that Memo never expected.

About the Author

William Alexander won the National Book Award for his debut novel, Goblin Secrets, as well as the Earphones Award for his narration of the audiobook. Other honors include the Eleanor Cameron Award, two Junior Library Guild Selections, a Mythopoetic Award finalist, an International Latino Book Award finalist, and a Cybils Award finalist. Like the protagonist of his books Nomad and Ambassador, William is the son of a Latino immigrant to the US. He teaches in the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults and lives in Vermont. Visit him online at WillAlex.net.