Erin Dealey

Happiest of Book Birthdays to Pura Belpré Award-winning Ernesto Cisneros‘ new mg novel,

Queso, Just in Time

(Quill Tree Books).

Full disclosure: Ernesto and I are both repped by the fabulous Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency. Thus I am doubly thrilled to help celebrate the release of my friend’s wonderful new book, three years (and then some) in the making, which is collecting so many well-deserved

Stars and Accolades:

“Cisneros has created another heartfelt middle grade tale centered around a devoted Mexican family, sprinkling the story with humor, empathy, LGBTQIA+ allyship, and Nahua folklore. Make space on the shelf for this tender and timely exploration of a family’s shared history and the lasting echoes of a parent’s love.”

– School Library Journal (starred review)

“The premise is gripping, and kind, considerate Queso is a relatable and well-developed lead. A hopeful, beautifully written page-turner.”

– Kirkus reviews (starred review)

“A tween receives a second chance to commune with his late father in this heartfelt time travel tale with Back to the Future flair. A gentle and thoughtful story brimming with familial love.”

– Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Unforgettable. Inspiring. Heartwarming. You’ll love this time-traveling tale of friendship, family, and healing the past to help the present. An adventure you’ll wish didn’t end!”

– Torrey Maldonado

award-winning author of Hands, What Lane? and Tight. 

“An ode to books and their healing power.”

– Sarah Scheerger, author of Operation Frog Effect

“Ernesto Cisneros is changing the way middle grade books are written.”

– E Train Talks Podcast

About the Author:

Ernesto Cisneros is the author of Efrén Divided, which won the Pura Belpré Children’s Author Award, and Falling Short. (Click the links to read previous Book Birthday blog celebrations with Ernesto.) He holds an English degree from the University of California, Irvine; a teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach; as well as a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from National University.

As an author, he believes in providing today’s youth with an honest depiction of characters with whom they can identify. The real world is filled with amazing people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. His work strives to reflect that. Ernesto was born and raised in Santa Ana, California, where he teaches middle school.

Click this link to view the fun video his scholars made.

In his spare time (haha) Ernesto Cisneros is co-Regional Advisor of SCBWI SoCal, and one of the most humble, kind human beings I know.

Let’s ask some questions!

Inspiration

Q 1. What inspired this “back-to-the-future” story? A lost loved one? A high school reunion? Or—?

Ernesto Cisneros: It was inspired by conversations I began having with my parents about who they were before they became “Mom” and “Dad.”

I learned that my father had run away to Mexico City as a teenager to find work. His dream was simple but powerful: he wanted a job where he could feel like somebody. For him, that meant wearing a suit and tie.

Instead, he came to the United States at fifteen. He spent much of his life cutting grass and wearing a uniform. But here’s the thing — he did it for his family. So that we could fulfill our dreams. That was his sacrifice.

This book, Queso, Just in Time, is my way of honoring the dream he gave up so that I could chase mine.

Characters

Q 2. They say each of our books is a tiny bit biographical. Which character would you say is most like you?

Ernesto Cisneros: Queso is very much me at twelve. His neighborhood adventures are inspired by my own childhood growing up in Santa Ana in the 1980s.

His curiosity, his humor, and especially his big feelings are rooted in my own experiences. I remember standing at that in-between age — still a kid, but starting to see the world more clearly.

Back to the Future

Q 3. Why did you choose to go back to 1985?

Ernesto Cisneros: 1985 is the year I remember most vividly because I was twelve. It was a formative time in my life.

It was also a completely different era — no smartphones, no social media, just bikes, arcades, face-to-face conversations, and long summer nights. That slower rhythm allowed me to explore relationships and family dynamics in a more intimate way.

Going back to 1985 felt personal — and emotionally honest.

Wishes

Q 4. If you could make a wish right now, under the light of the moon like Queso, what would it be? What would 12-year-old Ernesto have wished for?

Ernesto Cisneros: Right now, I would wish for cancer to disappear completely from the planet. Too many families carry that loss.

Twelve-year-old Ernesto probably would have wished for something simpler — maybe to be braver, to fit in more easily, or to make his parents proud.

At the core of both wishes, though, is the same thing: love and wanting the people we care about to be safe.

Challenges and Process

Q 5. What was the hardest scene or chapter to write?

Ernesto Cisneros: The hardest chapter was when Queso has to decide whether to stay in the past or return to the present. That decision carries enormous emotional weight. Writing it felt personal — because at its heart, it’s about letting go and accepting that love doesn’t always mean getting to stay.

Q 6. What was your revision process like for this book?

Ernesto Cisneros: Intense.

Because it’s a time-travel story, every small adjustment created ripple effects. If I changed one moment in the past, I had to examine how it impacted everything else. The structure had to remain tight.

It pushed me to be more precise and more intentional with every scene. I wrote Efrén Divided in about 5 months. This book, took me over 3 years.

Discoveries

Q 7. What discoveries happened as you worked with your editor?

Ernesto Cisneros: Working solely with Courtney Stevenson was an incredible learning experience. She challenged me to look closely at every scene.  

One of my biggest discoveries was realizing that loving a scene isn’t enough reason to keep it. Story comes first. So does emotional truth.

That discipline made the book stronger.

Take Aways

Q 8. What do you hope readers will take away from reading this book?

Ernesto Cisneros: I hope readers walk away with a little more empathy, especially toward their parents or guardians.

Every adult was once a child trying to figure things out. When we begin to see our parents as human — flawed, hopeful, scared, brave — something shifts.

I really hope readers feel the need to reach out to their parents and find a way to really connect on a human level.

Q 9. Is there a reason why you write?

Ernesto Cisneros: The most honest answer would be that I simply cannot stop day dreaming–or night dreaming for that fact. I love seeing life as it is and reimagining it as it should be. Please don’t ask me why… it’s simply how I’m wired. I am a dreamer at heart.

Speaking of heart…

Ernesto made this video for children impacted by the effects of ICE.

Please click and share:

Thank you so much for joining us on the blog today, Ernesto!

To learn more about Ernesto Cisneros and his work, check out his

website:  https://www.ernestocisneros.com

and follow him on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ernestocisneros
Twitter/X: @Author_Cisneros

I cannot wait to get my copy of QUESO. But don’t take my word for it:

“Ernesto Cisneros combines bold storytelling with fearless humor to craft the kind of stories we all wish we had as kids.” – Chris Baron, award-winning author of All of Me

“A beautiful story of family, love, loss, and dreams.” – Frederico Erebia, Lambda Literary Award winner for Pedro & Daniel

“Readers will love this nuanced and deeply satisfying story.” – Megan E. Freeman, New York Times bestselling author of Alone

“Funny, heartfelt and hopeful, Queso, Just in Time is the modern-day take on Back to the Future that we all need.” – Rajani LaRocca, Newbery Honor-winning author of Red, White, and Whole

“This story is a reminder that the bookshelves of today are meant to hold space for all children to see themselves.” – Elisa Stone Leahy, author of Mallory in Full Color

ll you with hope and turn the page toward healing.” – Alison Green Myers, Schneider Family Book Award–winning author of A Bird Will Soar

“Cisneros explores grief and courage in a way that invites young readers to embrace the past while looking forward to the future.” – Shawn Peters, author of The Unforgettable Logan Foster

“With themes of love, loss, and the bonds we choose, Queso, Just in Time honors both the family we’re born into and the one we build along the way.” – –Lori Polydoros, Author of Quake Chasers: 15 Women Rocking Earthquake Science

“Cisneros pulls off an amazing magic trick in this time travel adventure, intertwining grief with humor while also profoundly showing the transformative power of books.” – Lisa Moore Ramee, Author of A Good Kind of Trouble

Up next on the blog:

We chat with illustrator Luciana Navarro Powell about one of her newest books,

A Speedy Little Cheetah on the Big Blue Earh

written by Tory Christie (Amicus.)

which released TODAY.

Ready, set, READ!