You Were Made to Shine: A Story About Finding the Light Already Have

Everywhere Marisol goes, her rainbow suitcase goes too, and lately she's been packing it with more than clothes.Marisol is ten years old, growing up in a big, loving Mexican American family in a small Texas town, with a big voice, a bigger imagination, and one dream: to host her very own show someday. For now, the microphone is a hairbrush and the audience is family.But when her parents divorce and she starts bouncing between two homes, her suitcase begins to carry far more than her things. Inside, she packs the words other people say about her: too loud, too dramatic, too much. Right beside them go the lies she tells herself: not enough, not normal. So she does what so many kids do when they're hurting. She zips it up tight, puts on a brave face, and carries the whole heavy thing by herself. From the outside, she looks just fine. Inside, the load keeps getting heavier.But some things were never meant to be zipped away. One by one, Marisol's village of family, friends, teachers, and neighbors shows her the truth she's been missing: heavy things grow lighter the moment you share them. And with their love, and a trumpet that becomes her voice, Marisol discovers the light she's been hiding all along, and finally lets it shine.For every child who has ever felt like too much and not enough at the same time, this is the story of a girl who learns that the very things that make her different are exactly what make her shine.Inside you'll find: - A warm, relatable heroine growing up in a big, loving Mexican American family- Leadership skills she discovers naturally, and a resilience that helps her bounce back brighter- Gentle lessons in confidence, courage, and asking for help- Real challenges handled with honesty and hope- Thirteen short chapters, perfect for reading together or alone- A meaningful gift for birthdays, holidays, or just because >A note for parents, teachers, and counselors: Chapter 2 includes a scene in which an adult touches Marisol inappropriately, told without graphic detail, showing her get away safely and later telling a trusted adult. Marisol's story also moves through divorce, and life between homes. Every hard moment is met by a safe adult, and every chapter ends in safety.