George Lopez, a New York Times Best Selling author, and entertainer, and award-winning author Ryan Calejo, have collaborated once again to bring readers a follow-up to their previous book, CHUPACARTER. CHUPACARTER AND THE HAUNTED PIÑATA, which is scheduled for publication on May 30, 2023, by Viking Books for Young Readers, picks up where the previous book left off and follows twelve-year-old Jorge and his friend Carter the Chupacabra in a new adventure. This time, they face a maniacal piñata that terrorizes their town and threatens their newfound community. The book includes illustrations by Santy Gutierrez, which will bring the action to life through Jorge’s perspective.
In CHUPACARTER AND THE HAUNTED PIÑATA, Lopez and Calejo continue to weave in topics like courage, trust, family, and friends, with a comedic touch and Latinx folklore, just like they did in the previous book. George Lopez aims to make readers laugh while helping underrepresented youth see themselves in the main character, Jorge, and feel inspired by his journey. Ryan Calejo has enjoyed collaborating with Lopez and creating a fun, creeptastic mystery that’s jam-packed with heart, adventure, and signature humor. Santy Gutierrez’s illustrations are the cherry on top of this banana split of awesomeness!
Jenny Bak, Senior Executive Editor of Viking Books for Young Readers, is thrilled to bring readers the next installment in this laugh-out-loud series. She praises the team of Lopez, Calejo, and Gutierrez for creating a dimensional Latinx character that children can relate to and root for. Bak believes that CHUPACARTER AND THE HAUNTED PIÑATA is the perfect vacation story, just in time for summer!
George Lopez’s career is multifaceted, spanning television, film, stand-up comedy, and late-night programming. He has received numerous accolades, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and being named one of the 25 Most Influential Hispanics in America by TIME magazine. Ryan Calejo, on the other hand, is an award-winning author born and raised in South Florida, and his critically acclaimed Charlie Hernández series has won several awards. Finally, Santy Gutierrez, who grew up in Vigo, Spain, and now lives in Corunna, is an accomplished illustrator who has won several awards, including Best Spanish Young Editorial Cartoonist and Best Galician Caricaturist.
CHUPACARTER AND THE HAUNTED PIÑATA by George Lopez with Ryan Calejo; illustrated by Santy Gutierrez
Viking Books for Young Readers | $17.99 | Ages 8-12
ISBN: 9780593466001 | on sale May 23, 2023
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