Don't Date Rosa Santos

Reach for this book when your teenager is feeling the weight of a family legacy or struggling to bridge the gap between their cultural heritage and their modern identity. It is a beautiful choice for a child who feels like an outsider in their own home or who worries that pursuing their own dreams might mean betraying their ancestors. The story follows Rosa Santos, a Cuban American teen living in a coastal Florida town, as she navigates a family curse that keeps her loved ones away from the sea. As she prepares for college and a potential trip to Cuba, she must balance her grandmother's superstitions with her own desire for adventure and romance. It is a thoughtful, romantic, and culturally rich exploration of the immigrant experience that is perfectly suited for high schoolers aged 14 and up. Parents will appreciate the respectful yet realistic portrayal of intergenerational tension and the healthy, slow burn romance.