Filled with music, passion, supernatural secrets, and family, Jose Pimienta's Suncatcher brings to life a contemporary story of a girl growng up in Mexicali, with a supernatural twist and a lot of music.

Beatriz loves music.

More than her school -- more than her friends -- and definitely more than her homework. After Beatriz discovers that her grandfather's soul is trapped in his guitar, she becomes determined to get him out. But the only way to free him is to play the perfect song -- his perfect song, a song that he never actually wrote down.

Fixated on freeing her grandfather, music slowly consumes Beatriz's life. Soon she finds her self growing obsessed with perfection at the expense of her friendships, her band, and her health.

Beatriz won't let anything stop her. Even if it means losing everything else.
Jose Pimienta was raised in Mexicali, Baja California and now resides in Los Angeles, CA where they work on comics and storyboards for animation and film. Suncatcher was their debut YA graphic novel and ended on many 'Best of' lists. Their second graphic novel, Twin Cities received four starred reviews and Jose's work with students, in both English and Spanish, has made they a great guest at many school across the US. In their stories, they focus on the importance of Latinx culture and the experience of growing up on the border. View titles by Jose Pimienta

Educator Guide for Suncatcher

Classroom-based guides appropriate for schools and colleges provide pre-reading and classroom activities, discussion questions connected to the curriculum, further reading, and resources.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Classroom Activities for Suncatcher

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

"Haunting, beautiful, and complex." –Kirkus Reviews

"Pimienta gives this 'devil at the crossroads' tale a fresh twist with the Mexicali punk setting; music lovers and fans of graphic novels will be intrigued.” –School and Library Journal

“Beatriz’s relatable struggle with burnout and generational expectations sit amid an engaging tale.” –Publisher’s Weekly

Satisfying for any and all music fans.” –Booklist

About

Filled with music, passion, supernatural secrets, and family, Jose Pimienta's Suncatcher brings to life a contemporary story of a girl growng up in Mexicali, with a supernatural twist and a lot of music.

Beatriz loves music.

More than her school -- more than her friends -- and definitely more than her homework. After Beatriz discovers that her grandfather's soul is trapped in his guitar, she becomes determined to get him out. But the only way to free him is to play the perfect song -- his perfect song, a song that he never actually wrote down.

Fixated on freeing her grandfather, music slowly consumes Beatriz's life. Soon she finds her self growing obsessed with perfection at the expense of her friendships, her band, and her health.

Beatriz won't let anything stop her. Even if it means losing everything else.

Author

Jose Pimienta was raised in Mexicali, Baja California and now resides in Los Angeles, CA where they work on comics and storyboards for animation and film. Suncatcher was their debut YA graphic novel and ended on many 'Best of' lists. Their second graphic novel, Twin Cities received four starred reviews and Jose's work with students, in both English and Spanish, has made they a great guest at many school across the US. In their stories, they focus on the importance of Latinx culture and the experience of growing up on the border. View titles by Jose Pimienta

Guides

Educator Guide for Suncatcher

Classroom-based guides appropriate for schools and colleges provide pre-reading and classroom activities, discussion questions connected to the curriculum, further reading, and resources.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Classroom Activities for Suncatcher

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Praise

"Haunting, beautiful, and complex." –Kirkus Reviews

"Pimienta gives this 'devil at the crossroads' tale a fresh twist with the Mexicali punk setting; music lovers and fans of graphic novels will be intrigued.” –School and Library Journal

“Beatriz’s relatable struggle with burnout and generational expectations sit amid an engaging tale.” –Publisher’s Weekly

Satisfying for any and all music fans.” –Booklist

Books for Native American Heritage Month

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month this November, Penguin Random House Education is highlighting books that detail the history of Native Americans, and stories that explore Native American culture and experiences. Browse our collections here: Native American Creators Native American History & Culture

Read more

2024 Middle and High School Collections

The Penguin Random House Education Middle School and High School Digital Collections feature outstanding fiction and nonfiction from the children’s, adult, DK, and Grupo Editorial divisions, as well as publishers distributed by Penguin Random House. Peruse online or download these valuable resources to discover great books in specific topic areas such as: English Language Arts,

Read more

PRH Education High School Collections

All reading communities should contain protected time for the sake of reading. Independent reading practices emphasize the process of making meaning through reading, not an end product. The school culture (teachers, administration, etc.) should affirm this daily practice time as inherently important instructional time for all readers. (NCTE, 2019)   The Penguin Random House High

Read more

PRH Education Translanguaging Collections

Translanguaging is a communicative practice of bilinguals and multilinguals, that is, it is a practice whereby bilinguals and multilinguals use their entire linguistic repertoire to communicate and make meaning (García, 2009; García, Ibarra Johnson, & Seltzer, 2017)   It is through that lens that we have partnered with teacher educators and bilingual education experts, Drs.

Read more