In The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya, 13-year-old Arturo Zamora's summer takes an unexpected turn when he falls for Carmen Sánchez and his family's beloved restaurant in Miami faces demolition by developer Wilfrido Pipo, prompting Arturo to find the courage to fight for his community and his family’s legacy. The book includes themes of grief and loss.

Pablo Cartaya's The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora delights readers with its heartfelt narrative and cultural richness, offering a vivid portrayal of family and community dynamics. Critics praise its engaging characters and authentic voice. However, some feel the plot is predictable and certain themes are underexplored. Overall, it's a charming and thought-provoking read.

The ideal reader of Pablo Cartaya's The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora is a middle-grade student who enjoys stories about family, community, and coming-of-age. Similar to The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez and Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina, this book will appeal to those who enjoy cultural heritage and personal growth.

Heartwarming / Humorous / Emotional / Inspirational / Playful

- The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora is notable for its exploration of Cuban-American culture and often incorporates elements of both English and Spanish, reflecting the bilingual community it represents.
- Author Pablo Cartaya drew from his own experiences growing up in Miami to write The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora, aiming to authentically depict the vibrant life within a Cuban family.

**Arturo Zamora**  
Thirteen-year-old Arturo is the first-person narrator living in Miami with his family. He is a gentle and somewhat hesitant teenager who is inspired by family letters and personal experiences to find his voice.

**Caridad Zamora (Cari)**  
Cari is Arturo's mother, a talented cook who runs the family restaurant, La Cocina, after her mother falls ill. She values love and faith and believes in defending the restaurant through positivity and community rather than confrontation.

**Carmen Sánchez**  
Carmen is a 13-year-old girl and family friend from Spain staying with Arturo's family for the summer. She is confident, knowledgeable about social issues, and becomes an important influence on Arturo's personal growth.

**Abuela (Doña Veronica Zamora)**  
Abuela is Arturo's grandmother and the matriarch of the Zamora family. She is known for her exceptional Cuban cooking and her unwavering love and faith, which are central to her family's restaurant and values.

**Abuelo (Arturo Zamora)**  
Abuelo is Arturo's late grandfather who, through his letters, shares valuable life lessons with Arturo. He loved José Martí's poetry and conveyed his understanding of love and courage through his writings.

**Wilfrido Pipo**  
Wilfrido is a real estate developer interested in acquiring the Zamora family's restaurant property. He is characterized by his wealth-driven attitude and antagonistic role.

**Vanessa**  
Vanessa is Arturo's cousin and an active community advocate. She leads the Green Teens group and works to promote social and environmental causes within Canal Grove.

**Bren**  
Bren is one of Arturo's close friends who emulates the style and persona of the rapper Pitbull. He is at a stage of exploring his identity like his peers.

**Benjamin “Mop” Darzy**  
Mop is Arturo's smart and intellectually curious friend. He is known for his humor and philosophical outlook, often exploring his own identity and beliefs.

Pablo Cartaya

Middle grade

Novel

Fiction

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 4

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora Prologue-Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-9

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora Chapters 5-9 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 10-14

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora Chapters 10-14 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 15-18

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora Chapters 15-18 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 19-23

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora Chapters 19-23 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 24-Epilogue

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora Chapter 24-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora Character Analysis

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