SATA
ENTRY TYPE: new
WORK TITLE: Bodega Cats: Just Kitten Around
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://hildaeuniceburgos.com/
CITY:
STATE:
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
LAST VOLUME:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in New York, NY; married; children: two.
EDUCATION:University of Pennsylvania, B.A.; Harvard Law School, J.D.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Attorney and writer.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
[OPEN NEW]
Hilda Eunice Burgos is an attorney who grew up in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City. A child of Dominican immigrants, she did not speak English until she started school. When she read her first book, however, she knew she wanted to be a writer. The path to published author went through the University of Pennsylvania for college and Harvard Law School. Burgos continues to be a lawyer, but she never forgot her dream of being a writer.
Her debut, Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle, is a middle-grade novel featuring the titular character, who lives with her large family (two parents and three sisters) in a small apartment. When Ana María learns that a baby is on the way, she worries she will be overlooked even more than she already is. She hears about a scholarship to an elite private academy, but she needs to impress in her piano recital to have a chance. As she prepares, she also gets advice from new friends and takes a family trip to the Dominican Republic. Burgos offers a portrait of Washington Heights, where the novel takes place.
A reviewer in Kirkus Reviews appreciated both the “strong and multifaceted character” of Ana María and the “complex, warm, and very real” community around her. They wrote that the characters “have depth” and that Burgos “effortlessly” incorporates themes of “socio-economic disparities, bilingualism, and straddling of two cultures.” In School Library Journal, Cynthia Molinar agreed, describing the novel as an “excellent book for tweens” and an “authentic representation of a successful immigrant, middle class Latinx family.” Molinar called the book an “engaging, character-driven story.”
Burgos’s follow-up, Miosotis Flores Never Forgets, is another middle-grade novel featuring a sixth-grade girl. Protagonist Miosotis is surrounded by successful family members. Papi is a physics professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and older sister Amarilis is a straight-A student there. Even older brother Jacinto has a great SAT score. Miosotis cares a lot more about fostering rescue dogs than school, so her papi makes a deal that she can adopt a dog of her own if she can bring up her grades. When Amarilis starts acting strangely, however, Miosotis has to figure out what to do.
“A poignant tale of learning how to help those you love,” wrote a contributor in Kirkus Reviews. They wrote that Burgos “admirably handles” the challenging themes of recognizing abuse in people and animals around you. In Horn Book, Jessica Agudelo appreciated how Burgos handles that storyline along with the themes of “racial profiling and colorism.” Agudelo praised Miosotis for being a character who is “thoughtful and true to herself.” The result is a “satisfying story arc in which the protagonist determines her own potential.”
Burgos shifts to the picture book genre with The Cot in the Living Room. A young girl dreams of having her living room to herself, where she can look out on the George Washington Bridge, but her parents are always welcoming those who need a place to stay to sleep on the cot they happily bring out. When the unnamed protagonist finally has a chance to sleep on the cot herself, she realizes it is not as great as she first thought. The story shows the importance of caring for those in your community who need help.
Writing in Horn Book, Elissa Gershowitz enjoyed the book, writing that “Burgos’s story is effective in its specificity.” Gershowitz also appreciated the character’s “highly relatable emotions.” A writer in Kirkus Reviews lauded the “vibrant, colorful characters” and how Burgos establishes a “comfy space for readers.” They also praised Gaby D’Alessandro’s artwork.
Next up for Burgos is an early-reader series called “Bodega Cats.” The first three books in the series feature illustrations by Siara Faison and tell the stories of children who spend time in their parents’ bodegas (a small grocery store particularly common in New York City). Bodega owners are famous for adopting cats, who become a kind of mascot for the store and often help keep down the mouse and rat population.
In Just Kitten Around, the second book in the series, Yesenia is falling behind in school and is anxious about what her family will say if they find out. A doctor recommends that Yesenia be allowed to adopt and care for a pet, but the new kitten keeps getting into trouble. A contributor in Kirkus Reviews described the book as a “meow-velous tale laced with meditations on family and identity.” They appreciated how the story “explores familiar themes” in a “lighthearted package.”
[CLOSE NEW]
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Horn Book, September-October, 2021, Elissa Gershowitz, review of The Cot in the Living Room,p. 60; November-December, 2021, Jessica Agudelo, review of Miosotis Flores Never Forgets, pp. 96+.
Kirkus Reviews, August 15, 2018, review of Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle; May 1, 2021, review of The Cot in the Living Room; September 1, 2021, review of Miosotis Flores Never Forgets; May 15, 2024, review of Picture Purrfect; December 15, 2024, review of Just Kitten Around.
School Library Journal, October, 2018, Cynthia Molinar, review of Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle, p. 64.
ONLINE
Dominican Writers, https://www.dominicanwriters.org/ (July 15, 2024), Amaris Castillo, author interview.
Hilda Eunice Burgos website, https://hildaeuniceburgos.com/ (July 11, 2025).
Las Musas Books, https://www.lasmusasbooks.com/ (June 1, 2021), Alexandra Alessandri, author interview.
Latinxs in Kid Lit, https://latinosinkidlit.com/ (October 22, 2018), Cindy L. Rodriguez, author profile and interview.
Picture Book Publishers, https://picturebookbuilders.com/ (February 25, 2022), Sara Holly Ackerman, author interview.
About
Although Hilda was born and raised in New York City, she did not speak English until she started school. Her parents are originally from the Dominican Republic, and they always spoke in Spanish to Hilda and her three sisters. This was quite common in their neighborhood of Washington Heights, where there are a lot of native Spanish speakers. The first time Hilda read a book — back when she was a student at P.S. 132 — she knew she wanted to be a writer. She loved to read and always enjoyed school. I guess you could say she was kind of nerdy. Here she is at her eighth-grade graduation when she was twelve years old:
8th grade grad
After graduating from the Bronx High School of Science, Hilda headed to Philadelphia to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in French and Spanish Literatures. (Now she got to read books in three different languages, which was very exciting!) She received her law degree from Harvard Law School and then returned to the Philadelphia area, where she currently works as an attorney. She and her husband have two grown children and an adorable dog named Bear. As you can see, Bear doesn’t enjoy reading as much as Hilda does:
Bear reading
Hilda’s first middle grade novel, Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle, was a 2015 Lee & Low Books New Visions Award finalist. It was released by Tu Books (an imprint of Lee & Low) on October 2, 2018. Her first picture book, The Cot in the Living Room, illustrated by Gaby D’Alessandro, was published by Kokila Books (an imprint of Penguin Random House) on June 1, 2021, and the Spanish translation, La camita de la sala, was released on May 21, 2024. Her second middle grade novel, Miosotis Flores Never Forgets, was published on October 26, 2021, by Tu Books. On July 23, 2024, Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect, the first of a three-book series about NYC bodega cats and their human friends, was published by Henry Holt (an imprint of Macmillan). The second book in the series, Bodega Cats: Just Kitten Around, was published on January 21, 2025, and the third book, Bodega Cats: Pawsome Pals, will be released on July 22, 2025.
Series
Bodega Cats
1. Picture Purrfect (2024)
2. Just Kitten Around (2025)
3. Pawsome Pals (2025)
thumbthumbthumb
Novels
Ana Maria Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle (2018)
Miosotis Flores Never Forgets (2021)
thumbthumb
Picture Books hide
The Cot in the Living Room (2021)
Oct
22
2018
Spotlight on Middle Grade Authors Part 7: Hilda Eunice Burgos
By Cindy L. Rodriguez
This is the seventh in an occasional series about middle grade Latinx authors. We decided to shine a spotlight on middle grade writers and their novels because, often, they are “stuck in the middle”–sandwiched between and overlooked for picture books and young adult novels. The middle grades are a crucial time in child development socially, emotionally, and academically. The books that speak to these young readers tend to have lots of heart and great voices that capture all that is awkward and brilliant about that time.
Today we highlight Hilda Eunice Burgos.
Her debut middle grade novel, Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle, released October 2, 2018! Here’s a description of it:
Her last name may mean “kings,” but Ana María Reyes REALLY does not live in a castle. Rather, she’s stuck in a tiny apartment with two parents (way too lovey-dovey), three sisters (way too dramatic), everyone’s friends (way too often), and a piano (which she never gets to practice). And when her parents announce a new baby is coming, that means they’ll have even less time for Ana María.
Then she hears about the Eleanor School, New York City’s best private academy. If Ana María can win a scholarship, she’ll be able to get out of her Washington Heights neighborhood school and achieve the education she’s longed for. To stand out, she’ll need to nail her piano piece at the upcoming city showcase, which means she has to practice through her sisters’ hijinks, the neighbors’ visits, a family trip to the Dominican Republic . . . right up until the baby’s birth! But some new friends and honest conversations help her figure out what truly matters, and know that she can succeed no matter what. Ana María Reyes may not be royal, but she’s certain to come out on top.
And now more about Hilda: Hilda’s parents emigrated from the Dominican Republic before she was born, and she grew up in Washington Heights, New York City, as the third of four sisters. Hilda received her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in French and Spanish literatures, and her J.D from Harvard Law School. She now lives and practices law in the Philadelphia area. Hilda and her husband have two grown children and an adorable little dog. Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle is her first book.
Hilda is also a member of Las Musas, the first collective of women and non binary Latinx MG and YA authors to come together in an effort to support and amplify each other’s debut or sophomore novels in US children’s literature.
Hilda Eunice Burgos
hilda9573Q. Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
A. Books and my love of language. I wanted to be a writer as soon as I learned how to read, but I never thought it could be my “real job.” I took creative writing classes for fun in college and law school, but it was after law school, when I took a night course on writing for children, that I felt I had found my writing niche.
Q. Why do you choose to write middle grade novels?
A. I choose to write middle grade novels because I enjoy reading them. Middle grade books can include thought-provoking themes that expand our hearts and minds, while also providing a hopeful and encouraging message. It’s great to see that middle grade books are more diverse and inclusive now than they were when I was a child (a LONG time ago), but we still have a long way to go before every reading child feels represented. I hope to do my part by adding my traditionally underrepresented voice to the mix.
Q. What are some of your favorite middle grade novels?
A. That is a very tough question to answer. I love so many middle grade novels! I especially enjoy realistic fiction that tugs at the heart, like Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo; Gaby, Lost and Found by Angela Cervantes; When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin; Where the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah; Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan; One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia … I could go on and on. I also enjoy humorous books and novels in verse, both of which are so difficult to write, yet authors like Susan Tan (creator of the very funny Cilla Lee-Jenkins books), Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Kwame Alexander, and Margarita Engle make them seem effortless. As you can see, I can’t really pick one or even a few favorites.
Q. If you could give your middle grade self some advice, what would it be?
A. Have fun and enjoy being a kid!
Q: Please finish this sentence: Middle grade novels are important because…
A. Middle grade novels are important because middle grade children are ready and eager to explore the world outside of themselves, and novels are a great and safe way to do that.One of my favorite authors, Julia Alvarez, has said that “we come out of a great book as a different person from the person we were when we began reading it.” This is certainly true of good middle grade books, which can teach children that tough circumstances are out there, but we can deal with them, and we will emerge different and stronger on the other side.
An Interview with Hilda Eunice Burgos on The Cot in the Living Room
6/1/2021
Las Musas wishes a happy book birthday to Hilda Eunice Burgos for the release of her picture book debut The Cot in the Living Room!
Sometimes, what we want most isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and the process of that discovery leads us to something better. In many ways, this is one of the themes in Hilda’s beautiful debut, but it’s more than that—it’s a story of family and community that shows that “beautifully captures the gifts we receive when we open our hearts to others.” (BookPage, starred review).
Picture
Alexandra Alessandri interviews Hilda about her inspiration and process, but first, here’s a description of this sweet book:
A young Dominican American girl in New York City moves from jealousy to empathy as her parents babysit children whose families work overnight shifts in this honest and warm picture book debut.
Night after night, a young girl watches her mami set up a cot in the living room for guests in their Washington Heights apartment, like Raquel (who's boring) and Edgardo (who gets crumbs everywhere). She resents that they get the entire living room with a view of the George Washington Bridge, while all she gets is a tiny bedroom with a view of her sister (who snores). Until one night when no one comes, and it's finally her chance! But as it turns out, sleeping on the cot in the living room isn't all she thought it would be.
With charming text by Hilda Eunice Burgos and whimsical illustrations by Gaby D'Alessandro, The Cot in the Living Room is a celebration of the ways a Dominican American community takes care of one another while showing young readers that sometimes the best way to be a better neighbor is by imagining how it feels to spend a night sleeping on someone else's pillow.
Alexandra Alessandri: I adored The Cot in the Living Room so much! It reminded me a lot of my own childhood, only in my case, I was sent to sleep in the sofa and our guests would take my room. I wasn’t too keen on that. I love the sense of community and how the young protagonist’s emotional arc shifts as she goes from jealousy to finally getting what she wants, and how that becomes the catalyst for her having empathy toward her recurring guests. It’s what allows her to grow and show empathy.
I’m always curious about the book’s origin story. How did The Cot in the Living Room come to be? Who or what inspired it?
Hilda Eunice Burgos: When I was a child, I had a stay-at-home mom who babysat a lot of neighborhood kids. Mostly the children came during the day, but a few had to stay overnight because of their parents’ work schedules. When I was very young, I resented them encroaching on my family’s space and time together. As I got a little older, I realized how lucky I was and how difficult it must be for these children to spend the night alone in a stranger’s home.
AA: I love that, and the sentiment definitely comes across here. The Cot in the Living Room is written in 1st person, and we don’t actually get the main character’s name. Can you tell us a little about that choice? Was this always the case or did this come through in revision?
HEB: Because the main character shares some of my own childhood feelings, I wrote the book in 1st person from the very beginning. I also wrote my two middle grade books in 1st person (although, obviously, those two characters do have names). I’m drawn to books with 1st person narrators because when I read them I feel close to the characters and I’m able to be part of the story. I want my readers to feel that way too.
AA: I also really loved Gaby D’Alessandro’s illustrations, and the fact that you both share Dominican heritage. From the quilted endpapers to the soft hues and expressive characters, the whimsical illustrations beautifully complemented your text.
HEB: How did you feel when you saw Gaby’s sketches and color illustrations for the first time? And, how did you feel when you found out a Dominican illustrator would be bringing your story to life?
When I first learned that Gaby would be illustrating my book, and I saw some of her work, I was excited and pleased because her style looked perfect for this story and because I thought that, as a fellow Dominican, she could add many authentic touches to the illustrations. I was right! Her first sketches were beyond what I would have imagined. Since the story takes place entirely inside one apartment—mostly in one room—I didn’t really know how the illustrations would look. Would it be boring to see the same setting on page after page? As it turns out, absolutely not! Gaby did a beautiful job creating varied illustrations that captured the characters’ thoughts and feelings. As the color illustrations were finalized, I felt so emotional to see my story really coming to life.
AA: Yes to all of that! You’re also the author of the middle grade novel Ana María Reyes Does NOT Live in a Castle (which, by the way, both my son and I read and loved!!) and the forthcoming Miosotis Flores Never Forgets. How different is your process when writing picture books compared to when you’re writing novels?
HEB: Thank you so much for your kind words about Ana María! I’m glad you and your son enjoyed it!
In terms of the writing process, I would say that the middle grade books are “easier” to get down on paper initially, but then take a lot longer to revise, while with this picture book, I wrote many more drafts before submitting it, and then the revision process was quicker. I think the reason for this difference is that when you’re writing a middle grade novel, you have a lot of words to work with so you just let them flow onto the page with that first draft. With a picture book, there’s a lot of rethinking your choice of words and coming up with exactly how to express the thoughts and feelings you want to get across as economically as possible.
AA: On that note, can you take us through your creation process with The Cot in the Living Room? What was your process? How did you go from idea to book? What did you feel was the hardest part? The easiest?
HEB: Actually, I was walking my dog one day when—for some reason I don’t remember now—I started to think about one of the kids my mom used to babysit. Then I remembered the ones who would spend the night and my ambivalent feelings about them. When I got home, I wrote out a rough draft. The first drafts focused on the main character and her feelings; I later turned to the other characters in order to develop them further. The hardest part was telling a heartfelt story about a number of characters with as few words as possible. Also, I’m not an illustrator and I don’t usually think in terms of pictures, so it was a bit of a challenge to determine where the illustrations could speak without words, and then to cut out those words. It was, however, a fun challenge. I also really enjoyed imagining the characters, bringing them to life through their dialogue, and collaborating with the editor and illustrator to create a well-rounded story.
AA: What do you hope your readers will take away after reading The Cot in the Living Room?
HEB: I hope that kids who share something in common with the characters—for example, bilingual, growing up in an apartment in a big city, and/or with parents or guardians who work the night shift—can see themselves and their lives reflected in these pages. Additionally, I would like all readers to see the beauty of a close-knit and helpful community, and the sacrifices that many working parents have to make in order to provide for their families.
AA: Can you share what’s next for you or what you’re working on now? And, if you could give an aspiring author one piece of advice, what would it be?
HEB: My second middle grade novel, Miosotis Flores Never Forgets, releases in October. I have started a few other projects, some middle grade and some picture books, but none are anywhere near finished. I plan to focus on (at least) one and complete it this year. One piece of advice I would give an aspiring author is to be patient. The publishing industry moves very slowly so just keep learning and keep writing, and don’t worry about the things you can’t control.
AA: Oh man, that’s so true! Patience is so important in this business and so hard to manage at times. Thank you, Hilda, for speaking with me about The Cot in the Living Room. I can't wait for readers do discover your sweet story!
Buy The Cot In the Living Room today!
Picture
About Hilda: Hilda Eunice Burgos is the author of the middle grade novel Ana Maria Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle (Lee&Low). Her parents emigrated from the Dominican Republic before she was born, and she grew up in Washington Heights as one of four sisters. She now lives with her family near Philadelphia, where she works as a lawyer.
THE COT IN THE LIVING ROOM: Interview with Author Hilda Eunice Burgos
Sara Holly Ackerman February 25, 2022
I love the way bedtime books make the florescent lights and hard linoleum of the classroom feel a little softer and cozier. The children lean closer, their fidgeting slows, and we wrap ourselves in the warm hug of a beautiful book. Of course, THE COT IN THE LIVING ROOM, written by Hilda Eunice Burgos and illustrated by Gaby D’Alessandro, is much more than a going to bed story. It’s a story of family and community, jealousy and empathy.
Night after night, a girl watches her family welcome different children in their Dominican American neighborhood to sleep over while their parents work overnight shifts. She can’t help but feel it’s unfair that they get the cot in the living room, not to mention Papi’s dominoes, and even her own stuffed cat. When Mami finally lets her have her own sleepover in the living room on one guestless night, the protagonist puts herself in the visitors’ shoes (and cot) and has a shift in perspective.
I’m super excited that Hilda Eunice Burgos is here to talk about this special book with us today!
SA: Can you share what sparked the idea for THE COT IN THE LIVING ROOM?
HEB: When I was a child, I had a stay-at-home mom who babysat a lot of neighborhood kids. Mostly the children came during the day, but a few had to stay overnight because of their parents’ work schedules. My mother felt strongly that any child who was in her home must feel welcome and loved, and she treated every one of them as if they were her own. When I was very young, I resented these kids encroaching on my family’s space and time together. As I got a little older, I realized how lucky I was and how difficult it must be for these children to spend the night alone in a stranger’s home. I wrote this book because I wanted to share those feelings.
SA: When I read this book to my kindergarten students, their conversation largely revolved around fairness and how and why the protagonist’s view of fairness changes. Why did you choose to focus on fairness as a theme and why do you think young readers are so attuned to this idea?
HEB: Sometimes it’s difficult to look outside of ourselves and see things from the point of view of other people. We’re often so focused on what we want and what we think we deserve that we don’t stop to appreciate what we have and to wonder how another person might feel. I know I struggled with that when I saw my mother giving her attention to the children she babysat. The main character in my book learns not only that the children who come over are not the lucky ones, but also that there is something she can do to help them feel better. I’d like young readers to know that they have the power to make the world a better place, one person at a time, if they open their minds and their hearts to the plight of others.
SA: The COT IN THE LIVING ROOM is told in first person, as are both of your middle grade novels. How do you decide what narrative voice to use in your writing, and why do you think first person narration works particularly well in this story?
HEB: I wrote THE COT IN THE LIVING ROOM in first person because the main character shares some of my own childhood feelings. My first middle grade novel was also based on some of my childhood experiences. I feel that I connect more with my characters when I step into their shoes and tell the story through their eyes. That’s probably why, as a reader, I love books with first person narrators. Those books draw me in so that I feel close to the characters and I’m able to be part of the story. I want my readers to feel that way too.
SA: What do you hope readers take away from this story?
HEB: First and foremost, I hope readers enjoy the story and want to read it again and again. For readers who share some things in common with the characters—whether their families work at night, or they live in an apartment in New York City, or their parents are from the Dominican Republic, etc.—I hope those readers delight in seeing a bit of themselves and their lives in the pages of this book. And for readers who don’t have anything in common with the characters, I hope they learn about new and different people, and that they are inspired to ask questions and be curious about the varied people and experiences in our world.
SA: What’s next for you as an author?
HEB: I have a short story that will be in a middle grade anthology next year, and I’m working on some other projects that are still in a very early phase.
SA: Thank you so much, Hilda, for being here on Picture Book Builders today and I hope THE COT IN THE LIVING ROOM continues to make its way onto bookshelves and into readers’ hands.
HEB: Thank you so much for having me! It’s been wonderful to talk to you.
Hilda Eunice Burgos on Launching Young Middle Grade Series, 'Bodega Cats'
Writer: DWA Team
DWA Team
Jul 15, 2024
8 min read
By Amaris Castillo
In Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect we meet a frightened cat desperately searching for scraps of food. He finds a cozy ditch to warm up, only to be confronted by a group of snarling cats. That’s their spot, one yells.
So the loner cat runs off, under honking cars and through echoing alleys. He eventually finds a steamy vent behind a mailbox and decides that’s where he’ll sleep tonight.
Suddenly, human hands scoop him up.
“You’re okay, little cat,” the boy says. “Let’s get you out of the cold.”
So begins a beautiful budding friendship between Miguel Rosado, and the cat, who the boy names Lolo.
From Dominican-American author Hilda Eunice Burgos comes a story that will tug at your heartstrings. Out on July 23 from Henry Holt & Company, Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect features adorable illustrations by Mexican and Black artist, Siara Faison. Burgos expertly tells the story in alternating points of view; we watch Lolo adjust to his new bodega surroundings and Miguel struggle to tell his parents about joining an art club. They work long hours at the bodega and don’t see the value in art the way he does.
Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect is a great story for young readers, filled with warmth and themes of bravery and and kindness. There's also a gentle lesson for children on advocating for themselves. It is the first standalone installment of a three-part series. The second installment, Bodega Cats: Just Kitten Around, is already available for preorder.
Ahead of the book’s release, Burgos spoke with the Dominican Writers Association about what it was like to write about a bodega cat, what draws her to the middle grade genre, and more.
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Congratulations on Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect. How did you land the opportunity to tell this story?
The editor at Henry Holt, Carina Licon, reached out to me and said she had this idea for a three-book series about bodega cats and the children that adopt them. And she wanted to know if I would be interested in working on it. I had a meeting with her and the other editor, Brian Geffen, and I loved the idea. Some of what she was saying made me think of all these other ideas of things I could do with the story. We decided that we would make a good team. Then we got to work on it. I lucked out that she came up with the idea, and she reached out to me to do it.
We’re both from New York, so we understand how big of a deal bodega cats are. Their popularity has grown so much now that they’re a part of Internet culture. What is your experience with real bodega cats?
I don’t have any experience with real bodega cats, actually, other than to follow them on social media. My daughter currently lives in Brooklyn and has told me that there’s a cat in her local bodega. But when I was growing up, we didn’t have cats in the bodegas that I went into. So I don’t personally have any experience with bodega cats, but thank goodness for the Internet and social media because I’ve spent a lot of time looking on YouTube and Instagram, and learning more about bodega cats and how they live in these bodegas.
It was so interesting how you did alternating POVs between Miguel and Lolo – so a chapter from the boy’s perspective and then a chapter from the cat. What was it like to tell this story partly from a cat’s perspective?
That was the hard part, actually. The editors kept saying, ‘Can you get more in a cat headspace?’ And I kept thinking, What does that mean? I did a lot of research about cats and how they view the world around them. I know that they’re very much into smells; it’s kind of how they communicate. In the beginning, Lolo gets into a fight with these other cats and some of their body language were things that I learned about through research. I did all this research about cats in order to get into Lolo’s head and try to figure out, ‘What would he be thinking right now? How would he be reacting to these things?’ Obviously, we’re all people that are going to be reading the book [laughs], so I don’t know how believable it is, but that was what I was trying to do.
In the book, Miguel struggles to get his parents to see how much art means to him. They don’t see it as a good career path for him, despite him being a child still. It felt familiar because that happens often with children of immigrants. Why did you want to focus on that specific tension?
You’re also a writer, so I’m sure you’ve heard the advice that in order to write a good story, you should put your characters through really difficult situations and keep making them more and more difficult. So that’s one thing that I was trying to do here. Because Miguel is so young – he’s only in fifth grade, hasn’t even reached those rebellious teenage years, and has always been an obedient kid – I know it’s a big struggle for him to defy his parents. But it was important to him. I think that’s a universal theme that a lot of children have. It especially fits with parents who are immigrants and who tell us all the time [about] all the sacrifices that they made, and [that] we need to make their sacrifices worth their while. That was a universal child-of-an-immigrant theme that I wanted to focus on.
I also wanted to show that, in addition to having this passion despite being so young, he’s also able to find the courage to speak up and tell his parents what he thinks – in part because he knows that they love him and want him to be happy. In order to come up with this tension and what Miguel is thinking and feeling, I did have to tap into some of his anger and some of his sadness. But it also felt great to tap into the love that he and his family feel for one another. And, again, I felt that I was coming from a place of genuineness. That this is something that happens a lot in families.
Without spoiling anything, there is a tender moment in the book between Miguel and his parents. An apology is shared. Why was it important for you to put that on the page?
Well, sort of the same thing as what I was saying. I did want his efforts and his standing up for himself to have a positive result. Because otherwise, it would have been a very negative thing.
Interspersed throughout the book are comics drawn by Siara Faison. What was it like to work with her?
I haven’t met her because the process has been very similar to working on a picture book, where the editor and the art director do all of the communicating between us. But one thing I can say is that I really loved her drawings and, whenever I had a comment or a suggestion for a change, her changes were exactly what I was thinking of. So yes, I’m really thrilled that she’s on this project with me.
I really loved Miguel and his cute little face. And Lolo. It really tugged at my heart the first time I saw her illustrations. I thought she did a really great job.
This is your third published middle grade novel. You’re also the author of Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle and Miosotis Flores Never Forgets. What draws you in about the middle grade genre?
Oh, well. I actually really like reading middle grade books. I like that children at that age are getting to a point where they can explore the world outside of themselves, and you can start to introduce different things and different aspects of life to make them really think about things. But still, at the same time, you want to be positive. What I like about middle grade books is that you can introduce a topic that can create a little bit of tension, a little bit of turmoil, and make you think outside the box and outside of your usual way of thinking. But in the end, there’s always a happy ending, and things get resolved. The characters are always different at the end of the book than they were at the beginning, because they grow and learn. And I really like that about middle grade.
You draw a lot from your Dominican heritage in creating your stories. How did our culture influence this book?
I want to create believable characters and situations with all my books, so I draw on what I know. My heritage is an integral part of who I am, so Dominican culture just naturally comes through on the page. As for Miguel in particular, I was 10 years old the first time I visited the DR – and Miguel has also only been there one time so far. And yet, like me, he feels very connected to his Dominican culture; he speaks Spanish, eats Dominican food, and has these immigrant parents with these ideas that might feel a little different from his.
While I don’t actually say this in the book, I think to Miguel’s parents his passion for art and the things he wants to do is kind of “American.” Miguel is someone who, like me, has always straddled both cultures. It’s just a part of who I am, and I can’t rip out my Dominicanness to write a book so it’s always going to come through.
What is your must-have when you walk into a bodega?
One great thing about bodegas is that you can find just about anything. I remember I did an event at Word Up Community Bookshop. It was winter and my hands were dry, so I just popped into a bodega and got some lotion. So whatever I need, basically. But I do have to say that one thing I love about bodegas is that I can find foods that I love. If I was told you have to pick one food to eat for the rest of your life, it would definitely be plátanos. That’s what I would be getting.
What do you hope people take away from your book?
When I was a child, I never read any books about kids like me. One thing that I really hope is that readers have something in common with Miguel and can see some of themselves and their lives in this story and say, ‘Oh, wow, I feel like that, too’ or ‘My cat does those things,’ or ‘My parents always say that stuff.’ I just want them to feel this recognition and this acknowledgement that they exist, and that there are people out there like them. Of course to readers for whom this book is not a reflection of their lives, I hope they learn something about Dominicans, about New York City, bodega, cats, art. It’s always great to learn something new in a book. I always want my readers to just enjoy my books, and to be inspired to read more and more books.
_____________________
Visit our Bookshop to purchase a copy of Bodega Cats: Picture Perfect and to preorder a copy of Bodega Cats: Just Kitten Around.
_____________________
About the Author:
Hilda Eunice Burgos was born and raised in Washington Heights, New York City. The first time Hilda read a book—back when she was a student at P.S. 132—she knew she wanted to be a writer. After graduating from the Bronx High School of Science, Hilda headed to Philadelphia to attend the University of Pennsylvania and later Harvard Law School for her law degree. She and her husband have two grown children and an adorable dog named Bear. She is the author of Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle, The Cot in the Living Room, and Miosotis Flores Never Forgets.
_____________________
About the Illustrator:
Siara Faison is a bookseller turned illustrator from all over California. If she's not drawing, you can find her bingeing movies with her husband, sister, and old cat, Kitty.
Burgos, Hilda Eunice ANA MARIA REYES DOES NOT LIVE IN A CASTLE Tu Books (Children's Fiction) $18.95 10, 2 ISBN: 978-1-62014-362-9
Ana Maria dreams of going to a top-notch private school, but with her family's income, only a full scholarship will make her dream come true.
Ana Maria Reyes Castillo--her father's last name means Kings, and her mother's last name means Castle--does not live in a castle even though her mother reminds her that "we are the Reyes! Wherever we live is our castle." In fact, she lives with her parents and three sisters in a two-bedroom apartment in Washington Heights, a heavily Dominican neighborhood of New York City, and a new sibling is on its way, to boot. Through 11-year-old Ana Maria's voice as she oscillates between self-absorption and empathy, readers discover a close-knit community of family and neighbors. As Ana Maria prepares for a piano recital that she hopes will help her win the coveted scholarship, other events ensue that help her see the importance of the choices she makes: a family trip to the Dominican Republic; a car accident; the birth of the new baby. Burgos' characters have depth, and the community she portrays is complex, warm, and very real. Themes of socio-economic disparities, bilingualism, and straddling of two cultures are brought effortlessly and realistically into the story.
Readers will find places in their hearts for this strong and multifaceted character. (Fiction. 8-12)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Burgos, Hilda Eunice: ANA MARIA REYES DOES NOT LIVE IN A CASTLE." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Aug. 2018. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A549923739/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=00c94ca4. Accessed 6 June 2025.
BURGOS, Hilda Eunice. Ana Mana Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle. 302p. Lee & Low. Oct. 2018. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781620143629.
Gr 4-8--Ana Maria Reyes doesn't live in a castle, she lives in a two-bedroom apartment with her three sisters and both parents in Washington Heights, New York City. Ana Maria is caring, outspoken, and impulsive, driven by her emotions but also very goal-oriented. She yearns to attend a private academy, the Eleanor School, but her family doesn't have the money for tuition. To earn a scholarship, she must pass a test and impress the judges playing the piano in a showcase recital at Lincoln Center. She is determined to study and practice every day, but finds it hard to do as part of a large and growing family. Her mother is expecting a new baby and her aunt is getting married. The family travels to the Dominican Republic for the wedding, where the protagonist gets know her family better and makes a new friend. While there, Ana Maria struggles to grasp the socioeconomic disparities she sees within her own family and community. Somehow, she finds time to practice, helps her family and friends through tough situations, and learns to deal with and accept the consequences of her actions. This middle grade novel is an engaging, character-driven story about an 11-year-old Dominican American girl who is learning about herself and to appreciate her family and friends. It is an authentic representation of a successful immigrant, middle class Latinx family who values education, community, and family and stays true to their roots. VERDICT An excellent book for tweens in upper elementary grades and for middle school library collections.--Cynthia Molinar, Medio Creek Elementary SWISD, San Antonio
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Molinar, Cynthia. "BURGOS, Hilda Eunice. Ana Mana Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle." School Library Journal, vol. 64, no. 10, Oct. 2018, p. 64. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A556838421/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7627a7e3. Accessed 6 June 2025.
Burgos, Hilda Eunice THE COT IN THE LIVING ROOM Kokila (Children's None) $17.99 6, 1 ISBN: 978-0-593-11047-8
From her small apartment in Washington Heights, New York City, a young girl dreams of the perfect place to sleep.
Guest after guest relies on the cot in the Afro-Latina protagonist’s living room for last-minute accommodations. The narrator imagines an ideal night with the living room all to herself and narrates her disappointment each time a new family friend has dibs on the cot, all illustrated with playfully patterned backdrops against which the vibrant, colorful characters pop. Still, when Raquel, Edgardo, or Lisa sleep over, readers see glimpses of the precarious circumstances necessitating their stays even as the narrator remains oblivious and noticeably jealous. She’s nonetheless helpful in the process of preparing a temporary home for kids in need. Mami, Papi, and her older sister may not understand the desire to sleep in the living room, but, as a family, they’re noticeably loving and supportive of one another and their diverse Uptown Manhattan neighbors. When the time comes for the protagonist to get her turn on the cot, she quickly realizes it’s not all it was cracked up to be. Ultimately, the cot in the living room isn’t as magical as she imagined, but she learns that spaces—even tight ones—created of love and care can be the source of her own magic.
Between clever quilted endpapers, Burgos and D’Alessandro set a comfy space for readers. (Picture book. 3-8)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Burgos, Hilda Eunice: THE COT IN THE LIVING ROOM." Kirkus Reviews, 1 May 2021. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A659924812/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=26eb33c7. Accessed 6 June 2025.
The Cot in the Living Room
by Hilda Eunice Burgos; illus. by Gaby D'Alessandro
Primary Kokila/Penguin 40 pp. g
6/21 978-0-593-1 1047-8 $17.99
e-book ed. 978-0-593-11048-5 $10.99
Our young narrator, who shares a bedroom with a snoring older sister, is jealous of the guests who get to sleep on the cot in her family's living room overlooking the George Washington Bridge. "It would be so much fun to have the whole living room to myself! I'd stay up late and play, look at the tiny cars outside, maybe watch TV and sneak into the kitchen for an extra cookie or a little dulce de leche." Instead, a girl named Raquel ("Boring. She never plays with me") gets the cot while her father works the hospital night shift; on another night, Edgardo gets it while his mom, a singer, performs until 3 a.m.; and little Lisa has a turn while her grandmother cleans offices. "It's not fair" is the protagonist's refrain, with added resentment about having to share her parents' attention. After her own longed-for night on the cot proves less than thrilling, and even a little bit scary, she gains empathy for the guests and reacts with kindness. "It's Wednesday and Raquel's dad is working the night shift again, so she has to sleep on the cot in the living room. All by herself. She must really miss him. It's not fair." She invites the girl into her shared bedroom, cot and all. And though the space is tight, "the cot fits perfectly. And so does Raquel." D'Alessandro's pastel-hued digital illustrations feature soothing patterns and motifs, some of them compiled on endpapers resembling a quilt. Burgos's story is effective in its specificity to one child's experiences--and in the highly relatable emotions and reactions common to many young kids.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Sources, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.hbook.com/magazine/default.asp
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Gershowitz, Elissa. "The Cot in the Living Room." The Horn Book Magazine, vol. 97, no. 5, Sept.-Oct. 2021, p. 60. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A673853015/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=24509cb0. Accessed 6 June 2025.
Burgos, Hilda Eunice MIOSOTIS FLORES NEVER FORGETS Tu Books (Children's None) $18.95 10, 5 ISBN: 978-1-64379-065-7
Miosotis Flores loves dogs so much she makes a deal with her father: She'll get A's in science and Spanish and nothing less than a B in her other classes in exchange for her own pup.
An average student, sixth grader Miosotis feels less remarkable than the rest of her family: big sister Amarilis is a straight-A first-year at the University of Pennsylvania, where their Papi is a physics professor, and her older brother, Jacinto, is a track prodigy with a great SAT score. What dog lover Miosotis excels at is helping their neighbor Gina and her wife with all the dogs she fosters for a rescue organization. As she attempts to raise her grades (with help from her siblings and best friends, Zoe and Olivia), she starts to question the deal along with other things: her Abuela's anti-Black comments, her father's obsession with grades, and, most of all, her sister's increasingly alarming and unhealthy relationship with her wealthy, White fiance, Rich. The author explores colorism through Miosotis' multigenerational Dominican American family--Miosotis is darker-skinned with textured hair, like her Papi; Amarilis has light hair and eyes like their late mother--as Abuela's judgmental comments about brown skin are carefully unpacked and given context. The story admirably handles themes of recognizing abuse of humans and dogs in an accessible, thoughtful way.
A poignant tale of learning how to help those you love. (author's note) (Fiction. 9-13)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Burgos, Hilda Eunice: MIOSOTIS FLORES NEVER FORGETS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Sept. 2021. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A673649811/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=98207ede. Accessed 6 June 2025.
Miosotis Flores Never Forgets
by Hilda Eunice Burgos
Intermediate, Middle School Tu/Lee & Low 304 pp. g
10/21 978-1-64379-065-7 $18.95
Achievement runs in twelve-year-old Miosotis's Dominican family: her father is a physics professor, her brother Jacinto is a track star and straight-A student, and her sister Amarilis attends a prestigious university. School is not Miosotis's forte, but improving her grades is the only way to persuade Papi to let her adopt a dog. (Her well-intentioned siblings and best friends offer to help but bypass her genuine efforts and end up doing the work for her.) Her favorite diversion is helping her neighbor Gina, who fosters rescue dogs, walking and socializing them, allowing Miosotis to demonstrate her commitment to pet parenting. Her priorities shift when she discovers that her sister, who has become increasingly distant and unreliable, is being abused by her fiance. Burgos's explorations of social issues--also including racial profiling and colorism--are well incorporated, without overburdening the narrative. In Miosotis, she crafts a character who is thoughtful and true to herself, creating a satisfying story arc in which the protagonist determines her own potential. The book's message will reassure readers who find themselves overshadowed by siblings' achievements--or overwhelmed by their troubles--and who face pressure to live up to the expectations of others.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Sources, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.hbook.com/magazine/default.asp
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Agudelo, Jessica. "Miosotis Flores Never Forgets." The Horn Book Magazine, vol. 97, no. 6, Nov.-Dec. 2021, pp. 96+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A682425290/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f64847ed. Accessed 6 June 2025.
Burgos, Hilda Eunice BODEGA CATS Henry Holt (Children's None) $16.99 7, 23 ISBN: 9781250903747
A kindhearted boy offers a frightened stray cat refuge in his parents' bodega.
Miguel hopes he can convince Mami and Papi to let him keep the kitty, and once the vet clears the little feline--christened Lord Lovey Dubby Lobo, or Lolo for short--his parents relent. Blanca y Roja Bodega is now Lolo's home! But Miguel faces another battle: persuading his pragmatic parents, who want Miguel to become an engineer, to let him join his school's art club. An aspiring comic book artist, Miguel longs to explore the world (or, at least, the rest of New York City). Desperate, he lies and secretly joins the club but struggles to balance his artistic passions with his responsibilities to his parents, immigrants from the Dominican Republic who have sacrificed to give Miguel a better life. Meanwhile, Lolo, grateful to be off the mean streets, doesn't understand why Miguel would want to leave the comforts of home. Lolo faces a more worrisome threat when another kitty starts showing up around the bodega. Exploring the burden of parental expectations, this sweet series opener alternates between chapters told from Miguel's and Lolo's equally feisty perspectives. Faison's delightful artwork fleshes out Miguel and his community; interspersed throughout are Miguel's comics, which star Lolo as the courageous Super Cat. Dollops of gentle humor and a breezy pace contribute to an overall lighthearted tone.
Paw-sitively charming. (Fiction. 7-10)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Burgos, Hilda Eunice: BODEGA CATS." Kirkus Reviews, 15 May 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A793537185/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=a0933cb8. Accessed 6 June 2025.
Burgos, Hilda Eunice BODEGA CATS Henry Holt (Children's None) $16.99 1, 21 ISBN: 9781250903761
A young girl riddled with anxieties adopts an energetic kitten.
Yesenia worries about the recent D she got on a social studies test, and she wishes she had more time to spend crocheting. Unfortunately, she can't confide in her strong-willed parents, immigrants from the Dominican Republic who won't tolerate anything that threatens the family's "straight-A streak." Yesenia's cousin Miguel's cat, Lolo, has just had a litter of kittens (Miguel and Lolo starred in the first series installment), and per her doctor's orders, Yesenia soon adopts one to destress a bit. But the mischievous little yellow furball--named Candy--claws the curtains at home and wreaks havoc at her parents' store, Niña Rosada Bodega. Mami and Papi's threat to get rid of Candy looms over Yesenia as she struggles to balance obligations at school and at home, making some questionable choices along the way. Can Yesenia find her voice and convince her family to embrace her for who she is? Meanwhile, roguish Candy wants freedom to explore the world, but she quickly discovers that independence comes at a cost. Like its predecessor, this tale set in New York City explores familiar themes--the weight of parental expectations in immigrant families, finding the courage to be oneself--in a lighthearted package; chapters switch between Yesenia's and Candy's first-person perspectives. Returning characters add much to the community-building, reinforced through Faison's lively, family-oriented illustrations.
A meow-velous tale laced with meditations on family and identity.(Fiction. 7-10)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Burgos, Hilda Eunice: BODEGA CATS." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Dec. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A819570220/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=a8fde77a. Accessed 6 June 2025.