Vendor
	Mohrbooks Literary Agency Sebastian Ritscher
Categories
Children’s, Teenage & Educational

CANNED AND CRUSHED

Bibi Belford

When Sandro Zapote finds out his little sister needs heart surgery, he is determined to help his parents raise the money they’ll need to help her get better.

Sandro’s dad is in the states illegally and must work two jobs to support the family. For one, he picks up roadkill for the department of streets and sanitation and gets paid by the carcass. For the other, he collects scrap metal to recycle for cash. Sandro helps his dad with some of the scrap metal heavy lifting, and one headboard, a weight bench, some gutters, and a few car parts later, Sandro has a brilliant idea: can collecting. Save the environment. Save his family. Maybe even save some spending money for the fabulous, fast new bike he’s been coveting. Well-meaning and with funny inner monologue, Sandro is the kind of person you can’t help but cheer for. He’s a boy who loves drawing, soccer, and his little sister. And whether he’s fishing a fuzzy, dust-coated turtle out from under his sister’s bed or organizing a school-wide can drive all by himself, Sandro is a smart, self-aware hero, who makes just a few mistakes along the way. Canned and Crushed, by first-time author Bibi Belford, gives Sandro a funny, relatable, readable voice, while being fresh and original. It’s a story that will open its readers’ eyes, dealing with issues of illegal immigration, unemployment, racism and religious persecution, bullying, and more—carefully and with a light and often humorous touch. This is a cross between The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and it’s a book no kid will want to miss. Bibi Belford graduated with a B.A. in English from Westmont College and has worked as a playground supervisor for children of migrant workers and was a student teacher in a bilingual classroom before completing her masters in Bilingual Literacy at Northern Illinois University. She currently works as a literacy coach and reading interventionist for an elementary school in Illinois. She is the mother of four grown children and lives in Batavia, Illinois.

Available products
Book Published 2015-03-03 by Sky Pony

Comments

A never-a-dull-moment debut....fitted with an admirable, funny protagonist.

Belford compassionately reveals that there's far more to Sandro than just his misbehavior; his family's poverty and immigration worries lead Sandro to take on far more than an 11-year-old should. Sandro's breezy, conversational narrative, often directed at the reader, offsets the weight of his troubles in this eye-opening story that will likely resonate with a wide audience.

Holy guacamole! You've got to meet soccer star Sandro, whose brain is as quick as his feet - which is good because between chasing a turtle who's an escape artist, helping his dad collect roadkill, and conquering fourth grade, he's got to move fast. Luckily, Sandro's the kind of kid who puts the can in can-do and the fun in funny. You'll laugh out loud at Sandro's adventures, sympathize with his foul-ups, and cheer for his wins. Also, watch out: you'll never look at duct tape or fourth grade the same way again!

Belford's debut contains complex characterization: Sandro is affable and witty, yet his quick temper and poor decision-making will ring true to young readers....readers are likely to stick with Sandro till the sweet, wobbly end.

Sandro is the type of kid you rush to sit by in the cafeteria just so you can hear what he says or see what he does next. Canned and Crushed will charm you, as Sandro is a sweet-hearted, accident-prone mischief-maker you won't forget. The only thing bigger than the messes he finds himself in is his heart.