Luz Véliz used to be a star. She was the girl on the soccer field everyone watched, the one her dad coached, and the one whose identity was wrapped up in every goal she scored. Then, her knee gave out.
It wasn't just a physical injury. It was an identity crisis. When you lose the one thing that makes you "you" in everyone else’s eyes, what’s left? This is the messy, honest starting point of Shine On Luz Veliz, the 2022 novel by Pura Belpré Honor winner Rebecca Balcárcel. Honestly, if you’ve ever felt like a "bran muffin girl" in a world that only wants blueberry cinnamon, you’re going to get Luz.
The Pivot from Soccer to Python
Luz is basically starting over in sixth grade. Her dad, who used to be her biggest cheerleader, feels distant. He’s stopped coaching. He’s careful around her in a way that feels like he’s walking on eggshells, and Luz hates it. She thinks he only loved the athlete version of her.
To fill the void and hopefully win back her dad's "sideline" approval, Luz stumbles into a robotics class. She doesn't know the first thing about loops or variables. But she meets Mr. Mac, a retired engineer across the street who turns his garage into a sanctuary of sawdust and circuitry.
Coding becomes her new language. It’s a way to build something from scratch when her old life feels like a pile of rubble. She wants to ace the May Showcase, get into the advanced class, and prove she’s still "the best" at something. But life, as it usually does, decides to throw a much bigger wrench into her plans.
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The Solana Factor
Just as Luz is getting a handle on her code, her parents drop a bombshell. She has a half-sister. In Guatemala.
Solana is thirteen, her mother has passed away, and she’s coming to live in Luz’s house. In Luz’s room.
It’s not a smooth transition. Solana is pretty, outgoing, and seemingly perfect. She’s the "model immigrant" who smiles through everything. Luz, meanwhile, is a ball of jealousy and resentment. She feels displaced. First the soccer field, now her own bedroom? It’s a lot for an eleven-year-old to process.
The brilliance of Balcárcel’s writing is that she doesn't make Luz a saint. Luz is petty. She’s angry. She crosses lines. But you still root for her because her pain is so recognizable.
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Why the Tech Twist Matters
You don't often see middle grade books that handle STEM this naturally. Usually, it feels like a forced educational pill. In Shine On Luz Veliz, the coding is a metaphor for agency.
- Control: In code, if there’s an error, you can fix it. In real life, you can't "undo" a torn ACL.
- Connection: Luz uses technology to bridge the gap with Trevor, the "intriguing and brilliant" boy in her class.
- Mentorship: Mr. Mac isn't just a teacher; he's the Gandalf figure Luz needs to hear the unvarnished truth from.
Balcárcel actually based Mr. Mac on her own grandfather, which explains why those scenes feel so lived-in. The smell of the workshop and the patience of a mentor are details you can’t fake.
Tackling the Heavy Stuff
This isn't just a lighthearted "girl power" book. It dives deep into the realities of the Guatemalan immigrant experience.
Through Solana, we learn about the violence and gang activity that forces families to flee. We see the looming shadow of ICE and the very real fear that even legal residents feel. It adds a layer of weight to the story that elevates it from a simple school drama to a necessary piece of contemporary literature.
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The book asks a hard question: How do you "shine" when you’re terrified of being seen?
Solana is hurting, but she hides it to make things easier for her new family. When Luz finally realizes that her sister’s "perfect" smile is a survival mechanism, the dynamic shifts. They aren't just roommates; they're survivors in different ways.
Actionable Insights for Readers and Parents
If you’re picking up Shine On Luz Veliz or sharing it with a young reader, here is how to get the most out of the experience:
- Talk about "After" Moments: Luz talks about her life in terms of "Before" and "After" the injury. Use this to discuss resilience with kids. What happens when our first plan fails?
- Explore the STEM side: The book includes coding concepts that are actually accurate. It’s a great gateway for kids who think tech is "too hard" or "not for them."
- Try the Recipes: The back of the book has a recipe for Guatemalan Hot Chocolate. Make it. Food is a massive part of heritage, and it’s a tangible way to connect with the culture described in the pages.
- Look for the "Inner Light": The title isn't just a catchy phrase. It’s about the idea that your value isn't tied to your performance on a field or a grade on a test.
Shine On Luz Veliz works because it acknowledges that growing up is a series of small, sometimes painful, reinventions. You lose a piece of yourself, you find a new tool, and you keep building.
To really lean into the themes of the book, try sitting down with a young reader and asking them what their "coding" is—that one thing they do just for themselves, regardless of who is watching from the sidelines. It might lead to a much deeper conversation than you'd expect.