A Coming of Age Nuyorican History Lesson
Undoubtedly
one of America’s most influential Latinas in pop culture, the Emmy-winning New Yorker Sonia Manzano continues to define the TV-watching experience of many kids—especially
young Latino and Hispanic children.
For me and
many Latinos who grew up watching the humorous, albeit always educational,
antics of Burt & Ernie and Cookie Monster, no human face is more associated
with the globally broadcast Sesame Street (Plaza Sésamo en Español) than
"Maria" embodied by Sonia Manzano.
Manzano
joined the production of Sesame Street in 1971, where she eventually
began writing scripts for the series. She has won 15 Emmy Awards as
part of the Sesame Street writing staff. Many of those kids who grew up with
Maria—myself included—will forever regard Sonia Manzano as a cherished storyteller.
This is why
her powerful debut YA novel The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano (Scholastic Press)
is so important and relevant for young readers of all backgrounds.
