Queso, Just in Time

Queso, Just in Time follows Quetzalcoatl Castillo Anguiano Ceballos Regalado — Queso for short — a middle schooler who never knew his father except through stories, because his dad died young after returning from war with PTSD. When Queso discovers he has the ability to travel back in time, he seizes the chance to meet his father before the war changed him forever. Pura Belpré Award-winning author Ernesto Cisneros delivers a time-travel story full of heart, humor, and grief that centers the lasting impact of military trauma on Latino families.

This is an outstanding choice for students because it offers a deeply moving window into immigrant heritage, fatherhood, and the complexity of grief, in the fast-paced, accessible voice that has made Cisneros one of middle grade's most beloved voices.

Publishing Details

Author : Ernesto Cisneros

Author Nationality : United States

Physical Details

Type of Book: Chapter

Cover: Hardcover

Pages: 272

Size: 8.7 x 5.9 inches

Year Published: 2026

Instructional Details

Reading Grade Level: 4th

Genre: Fiction

Sub-Genre: Realistic Fiction

Theme: Family, Hispanic Heritage Month, Social Emotions, About POC, War