Best believe The Tres Hermanas, a sisterhood for the common good

Applying a hip-hop cadence to tightly written lines, Ramos shines a light on three Puerto Rican--born sisters (Las Tres Hermanas) who grew up in the Bronx and would become important changemakers and advocates for their community. Evelina Antonetty, Lillian López, Elba Cabrera, and their mami joined family in New York, thinking life would be easier there. Instead, they, and many like them, faced discrimination targeting their brown skin, poverty, and incomplete command of the English language. Even as a child, Evelina bristled at the injustice but learned that "anger can be a gift." The sisters' fiery spirit runs through the text, which frankly calls out disparities and celebrates the Tres Hermanas' many victories as they passionately defended the rights of Puerto Rican Americans and lifted up their culture: Evelina as an activist, Lillian as a librarian, and Elba as an advocate of the arts. Illustrations channeling the sisters' Puerto Rican roots feature saturated colors, tropical flower embellishments, moving portraits of the family and community, and a clean, modern aesthetic. Just as impressive as the story itself is its back matter, which contains meticulous source notes, a QR code linked to additional resources and extension activities, a well-curated glossary, and a detailed time line. Ramos notes that they worked closely with 93-year-old Elba to ensure this story was told with authenticity and accuracy.

"The Bronx is a library of stories./ Of poetry in graffiti./ Of sheroes who have changed history," declares Ramos at the start of this reverent homage to Puerto Rico--born "Bronx royalty" Evelina Antonetty, Lillian López, and Elba Cabrera. Through the refrain "you best believe," rhythmic verse lays out the activist sisters' life work. In the face of systemic discrimination, Antonetty becomes a community organizer who demands better school conditions, librarian and library coordinator López works to put Spanish and bilingual books on the shelves, and Cabrera works as an ambassador for the arts. Medina's digital illustrations have a sumptuous risograph-like quality, rendering a floral motif alongside images of "Tres Hermanas" working powerfully in concert. An author's note and glossary conclude. Ages 6--10. (Feb.)

Remarkable sisters changed life for the better in the Bronx. Evelina Antonetty, Lillian López, and Elba Cabrera emigrated from Puerto Rico to New York in the 1930s. They worked hard to improve their communities and pushed back against discrimination. As a teen, Evelina, who spoke English and Spanish, used her bilingual abilities to support and advocate for her community. In 1965, she created an organization to empower parents to fight for better, more equitable public schools in the Bronx. Along with Elba, she advocated for bilingual education and school meals. Later, the sisters helped found Hostos Community College. Middle sister Lillian became the first Puerto Rican administrator in charge of all Bronx libraries. She fought to fund libraries in Black, brown, and poor communities when they faced budget cuts that their white counterparts did not face. The work of the Tres Hermanas reverberated during their lifetimes and beyond. Upbeat verse, punctuated by the phrase "you best believe," drives home these siblings' accomplishments. The art, a vibrant tapestry of jewel-tone colors that leap off the pages, creates a visual feast for young readers. Dynamic and expressive, the illustrations captivate the imagination and beautifully bring to life the warmth of the sisters' inspiring bond. Stories of important Puerto Rican women, told vividly. (author's note, source notes, glossary, timeline, bibliography, further reading, photographs) (Picture-book biography. 5-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.