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Minda lives in Minnesota with her husband and three spunky bilingual kids. Their family has created their own brand of "Mexigringo" as they blend their Papi's Mexican culture with their Mami's Minnesotan culture.
Minda is a teacher of English Learners at a local elementary school. She has taught second grade in Mexico and volunteered in Guatemala, Peru, and Thailand.
Minda is passionate about teaching children to be proud of their bilingual superpowers. She is hopeful that her readers and her own kids will identify with the Martinez family, and remember that speaking more than one language is one of the many things that can make a kid special.
Reviewed by Zahid Sheikh for Readers' Favorite
Treasure of the North is Minda Gomez's fourth book in her Martinez Kids Adventures series, which imagines adventures for three siblings, Rico, Diego, and Araceli around Minnesota. The Martinez kids find themselves thrust into a virtual reality treasure hunt when their neighbor, Don Toño, gives them a riddle that must be solved on the digital planes of famous sites across their home state. En route, they encounter different animals, complete challenges, and discover the valuable lessons of teamwork, courage, and culture. Set up as a bilingual story with Spanish sprinkled into the dialogue, it is a fun educational experience about Minnesota's landscapes, wildlife, and cultural sights.
The author's writing style is lively and richly detailed, effectively bringing the adventures of the Martinez siblings to life in a manner that will enchant readers of all ages. Each chapter presents a fresh setting or challenge, enabling the story to unfold at a pace ideal for young readers with a passion for adventure and mystery. The characters are relatable, particularly the Martinez siblings, who exhibit a delightful chemistry and playful spirit that will make readers smile. The book also incorporates themes of family, cultural pride, and love for the environment that draw readers even deeper into the narrative. Minda Gomez’s illustrations beautifully enhance the text, providing a visual depth that amplifies the sense of adventure throughout the story. Treasure of the North is a delightful and touching tale focused on family and nature, which children will thoroughly enjoy as they discover and learn about their environment.
