Aya de Leon

An undercover spy seizes the spotlight to avoid exposure in the gripping third installment of Aya de Le n's award-winning Factory series. Teen spy Amani Kendall's first solo mission seems straightforward: to befriend Danielle, the angry, grieving daughter of a former Factory operative, and prevent her from blowing an agent's cover and exposing the Factory--an international organization of spies safeguarding people of color--to the world. But in order to get close, Amani will have to step onstage and win a place in Danielle's band and at the elite summer camp hosting the "Next Teen Sensation" competition. Meanwhile, the band's charming bassist falls head over heels for Amani, who is not sure whether to be flattered or overwhelmed. Add in an increasingly volatile Danielle, a nefarious billionaire sponsor, the pandemonium that surrounds a K-pop supergroup, and an industry that thrives on fatphobia and racism, and it will take all of Amani's wits and spycraft to keep her mission on track. In a riveting companion book to Undercover Latina and Untraceable, a seasoned suspense writer explores the intersection of the personal and the political with rapid-fire intrigue.

With gripping results, this companion novel to Undercover Latina returns to the high-stakes world of the Factory--an international organization of spies protecting people of color. Fifteen-year-old Amani Kendall's biggest problem is being the only plus-size Black girl at a white private school--until her house burns down and her family is unexpectedly on the run. Suddenly, she's reeling from the news that her formerly boring mom is being pursued by an ex-boyfriend turned stalker, and her scientist dad has gone MIA. At the same time, she has to navigate an underfunded school in the city, suffering the cultural whiplash of being surrounded by other Black students, including the cute boy who's an old family friend. How much danger is their family really in, and how untraceable are they trying to be? Her mom offers only half-answers and roundabout lies, so Amani starts to investigate. But her sleuthing has unexpected consequences, uncovering secret family legacies that will change their lives forever. A revealing prequel to Undercover Latina for existing fans, Untraceable also serves as a thrilling introduction to the world of the Factory for readers encountering this fast-paced spy series for the first time.

"Social criticism is woven into a fun read centered on kids of color. . . . An engaging, insightful adventure with a heartfelt conclusion." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Fourteen-year-old Andr a Hern ndez-Baldoqu n hails from a family of spies working for the Factory, an international organization dedicated to protecting people of color. For her first solo mission, Andr a straightens her hair and goes undercover as Andrea Burke, a white girl, to befriend the estranged son of a dangerous white supremacist. In addition to her Factory training, the assignment calls for a deep dive into the son's interests--comic books and gaming--all while taking care not to speak Spanish and blow her family's cover. But it's hard to hide who you really are, especially when you develop a crush on your target's Latino best friend. Can Andr a keep her head, her geek cred, and her code-switching on track to trap a terrorist? This smart, entertaining, and politically astute novel is fast-paced young adult fare from an established author of heist and espionage novels for adults, in a paperback edition offering discussion questions and an excerpt from the sequel in the back matter.

Two-time International Latino Book Award-winning author Aya de Le n brings her unique blend of commercial fiction, timely social commentary, and sexy, page-turning storytelling in a novel of climate change in which the personal and the political collide for one woman torn between her own survival and the survival of the planet. Marrying a billionaire will fulfill this struggling artist's dreams--and enable her to make a difference. But exposing the truth will put all her convictions on one dangerous line . . . Coming from a troubled youth, Morgan Faraday grabs every opportunity to up-level her life. So she definitely plans to keep oil company heir Sebastian Reid interested . . . all the way to the altar. He's brilliant, supportive, and is turning his billion-dollar company green to make up for his ancestors' exploitation. With him, Morgan can have love, money, and the power to make the world better. And securing her future is far more important than the attractive environmental activist she suddenly has unexpected feelings for . . . But once Morgan gets a glimpse of Sebastian's secret allies and confidential emails, she's stunned to find he's only talking a good game. His company is responsible for several ecological disasters, and a chance encounter makes it clear to Morgan the lengths he'll go to stay on top. To gather enough evidence to expose him, Morgan will have to rely on her quick wits and new friends to stay one step ahead of a corporate conspiracy. But as the danger comes closer, will Morgan put herself first and run--or face down the risk, even at her cost of her life?

A Latina teen spy goes undercover as a white girl to stop a white supremacist terrorist plot in a fast-paced young adult debut from a seasoned author of contemporary crime fiction. In her debut for younger readers, Aya de Le n pits a teen spy against the ominous workings of a white nationalist. Fourteen-year-old Andr a Hern ndez-Baldoqu n hails from a family of spies working for the Factory, an international organization dedicated to protecting people of color. For her first solo mission, Andr a straightens her hair and goes undercover as Andrea Burke, a white girl, to befriend the estranged son of a dangerous white supremacist. In addition to her Factory training, the assignment calls for a deep dive into the son's interests--comic books and gaming--all while taking care not to speak Spanish and blow her family's cover. But it's hard to hide who you really are, especially when you develop a crush on your target's Latino best friend. Can Andr a keep her head, her geek cred, and her code-switching on track to trap a terrorist? Smart, entertaining, and politically astute, this is fast-paced young adult fare from an established author of heist and espionage novels for adults.

A young female rap superstar takes on the misogyny of the music industry in the electrifying new novel by award-winning author, educator, and activist Aya de Le n. Radiant with her trademark blend of commercial fiction and social justice, this sexy, smart page-turner delivers activism wrapped in sheer entertainment with a high-drama plot, inclusive characters, and timely themes. Stardom crashed like an avalanche onto this female rap artist. Now getting justice, real power, and true respect will be the hardest fight of her life... 20-year-old Deza was supposed to be just another hot girl emcee, but when a bonus track strikes a surprising social chord, it rockets her album to the top of the charts--and her record label promotes her to headline their first-ever all-female national tour. As Deza attempts to live up to her new reputation, her inexperience generates tour drama. And when her female DJ quits, the label replaces her with the last thing Deza needs: the sexy guy DJ she flirted with at a club. But in battling to prove she deserves her success and embracing her power as an activist for Black Lives, Deza starts to feel she can face anything that comes her way--until her label prepares to undermine the all-female lineup in the name of mega-profits. Now, up against brutal industry misogyny and corporate big money, Deza will need the drive of that scrappy emcee from the South Side of Chicago and the bulletproof cool of a seasoned music professional if she wants to claim a space of respect in hip hop, not just for herself, but for everyone and everything she believes in . . .

Aya de Le n's action-packed, sexually-charged, politically significant novels have been described as "a rallying cry" (The Washington Post) and praised for their "poetic and savvy descriptions of women's inner and external challenges that are reminiscent of Sister Souljah's or Ntozake Shange's work" (Bitch Magazine). Now she takes on issues of climate justice, corporate corruption, and government surveillance of marginalized activists in an electrifying story about a high-powered attorney who goes undercover to infiltrate a Bay Area activist group. Success used to be this savvy lawyer's only rule. But now she's putting everything on the line to bring a killer corporation to justice. From prep school to Harvard Law, Yolanda Vance always looked out for number one. So when her prestigious New York law firm is busted by the Feds, Yolanda turns in her corrupt bosses to save her career--and goes to work for the FBI. Soon she's tapped to go undercover at Red, Black, and Green--an African-American "extremist" activist group back in her California college town. RGB claims a biotech corporation fueled by Pentagon funding is exploiting the neighborhood. But Yolanda is determined to put this assignment in her win column, head back to corporate law, and regain her comfortable life... Until an unexpected romance opens her heart--and a suspicious death opens her eyes. Powerful dark money forces will do anything to bury RBG and Yolanda. Now fueled by memories of who she once was--and what once really mattered most--how can she reveal the truth without double-crossing the FBI? And how can she tell those who've come to trust her that she's been spying? As the stakes escalate, and one misstep could cost her life, Yolanda will need to practice a new kind of law--the law of survival.

A Justice Hustlers Novel She's beautiful, unpredictable--and on the run. But this ex-side chick is ready to risk everything to help others in trouble . . . Dulce Garc a was a teen sexually exploited by a violent New York pimp until Marisol Rivera rescued her. But Dulce didn't stay rescued for long. Her unhealed trauma and appetite for thrills lead her into an endless party of sugar daddies in the Caribbean. Until she gets caught in Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico--and witnesses the heartbreaking disaster of climate change, as well as the international vultures who plunder the tragedy for a financial killing, making shady use of relief funds to devastate the island even more. Meanwhile, New York-based mastermind thief Marisol has her hands full fleecing a ruthless CEO who's stealing her family's land in Puerto Rico, while trying to get her relatives out alive. An extra member in her crew could be game-changing, but she's wary of Dulce's unpredictability and history of indiscretion. Still, Dulce's hunger for justice draws Marisol in, along with her formidable Lower East Side Women's Health Clinic's heist squad. But their race-against-the-clock plan is soon complicated by a sexy, crusading journalist--not to mention the powerful men who turn deadly when ex-side chicks step out of the shadows and demand to call the shots . . . Praise for Aya de Le n and her novels "Staking out space for women of color in the heist-fiction genre, Aya de Le n's smart, sly writing is a knockout." --Andi Zeisler, Bitch magazine

A Justice Hustlers Novel She's beautiful, unpredictable--and on the run from dangerous men. But this ex-side chick is ready to risk everything to help others in trouble . . . Fed up with her married Miami boyfriend, savvy Dulce has no problem stealing his drug-dealer stash and fleeing to her family in the Caribbean. But when she gets bored in rural Santo Domingo, she escapes on a sugar daddy adventure to Puerto Rico. Her new life is one endless party, until she's caught in Hurricane Maria--and witnesses the brutal collision of colonization and climate change, as well as the international vultures who plunder the tragedy for a financial killing, making shady use of relief funds to devastate the island even more. Broke, traumatized, and stranded, Dulce's only chance to get back to New York may be a sexy, crusading journalist who's been pursuing her. But is she hustling him or falling for him? Meanwhile, New York-based mastermind thief Marisol already has her hands full fleecing a ruthless CEO who's stealing her family's land in Puerto Rico, while trying to get her relatives out alive after the hurricane. An extra member in her crew could be game-changing, but she's wary of Dulce's unpredictability and reputation for drama. Still, Dulce's determination to get justice draws Marisol in, along with her formidable Lower East Side Women's Health Clinic's heist squad. But their race-against-the-clock plan is soon complicated by powerful men who turn deadly when ex-side chicks step out of the shadows and demand to call the shots . . . Praise for Aya de Le n and her novels "Staking out space for women of color in the heist-fiction genre, Aya de Le n's smart, sly writing is a knockout."--Andi Zeisler, Bitch magazine "This well-written and enjoyable installment in de Le n's unique, feminist, urban crime-fiction series . . . infuses satisfying power in both plot and character." --Booklist on The Boss, STARRED review

A Justice Hustlers Novel Two gorgeous sisters. Only one plays by the rules. But now they'll have to put their differences--and their lives--on the line, to help the exploited. Sisters from Trinidad, Violet and Lily have never had much in common. Stunning Lily arrives undocumented in New York and makes her way as a stripper. But Harvard-educated Violet is this close to the perfect assimilated life, thanks to a prestigious job, and her rich bougie fianc . . . . Until she aids a woman in trouble, and is mistaken for a notorious strip-club mogul's mistress. And when she's wrongly accused of helping him embezzle millions of his workers' earnings, Violet loses everything--except the determination to get her life back. Now Violet's on his track with the help of his vengeful ex-wife and the Lower East Side Women's Health Clinic's resourceful crew--which includes Lily. But a dashing longtime friend hungering for Violet's love, along with the mogul's all-too-real psychotic mistress, put the group's killer schemes at risk. And as Violet and Lily struggle to finally understand each other, they have only one shot to get justice for those who need it most. "This well-written and enjoyable installment in de Le n's unique, feminist, urban crime-fiction series . . . infuses satisfying power in both plot and character." --Booklist on The Boss, STARRED review

A Justice Hustlers Novel Two gorgeous sisters. One plays by the rules. The other lives her wild-card dreams on blast. But in this sizzling, twist-filled tale, they must help the exploited by putting their troubled relationship--and very different lives--on the line. Sisters from Trinidad, Violet and Lily have never had much in common. Stunning Lily arrives undocumented in New York and makes her way as a stripper. But Harvard-educated Violet is this close to the perfect assimilated life, thanks to a prestigious job, and her rich bougie fianc . . . . Until she aids a woman in trouble, and is mistaken for a notorious strip-club mogul's mistress. And when she's wrongly accused of helping him embezzle millions of his workers' earnings, Violet loses everything--except the determination to get her life back. Now Violet's on his track with the help of his vengeful ex-wife and the Lower East Side Women's Health Clinic's resourceful crew--which includes Lily. But a dashing longtime friend hungering for Violet's love, along with the mogul's all-too-real psychotic mistress, put the group's killer schemes at risk. And as Violet and Lily struggle to finally understand each other, they have only one shot to get justice for those who need it most. "Staking out space for women of color in the heist-fiction genre, Aya de Le n's smart, sly writing is a knockout."--Andi Zeisler, Bitch magazine "This well-written and enjoyable installment in de Le n's unique, feminist, urban crime-fiction series . . . infuses satisfying power in both plot and character."--Booklist on The Boss, STARRED review

A Justice Hustlers Heist Novel She won't back down. She'll never stop. And in this seductive, suspenseful novel, one gorgeous sister puts her future on the line for the exploited--even as her past and present collide, threatening to take her out . . . Tyesha Couvillier will never forget the rip-offs and brutal treatment she endured as a sex worker. So as the new director of the groundbreaking Lower East Side Women's Health Clinic, she'll take on the Ukranian mob and corrupt strip club bosses to stop local exotic dancers from being pressured into selling sex. And if she and her crew can pull off an elaborate heist, the evidence they steal could upend this vicious game--and give exploited women a chance at justice... But suddenly Tyesha's traumatic past and high-drama family are back on the scene--and turning up the heat to explosive. With a notorious celebrity ex-lover out to win back her heart, and a drug kingpin from her Chicago past in the mix, crucial scams go dead-wrong, and buried secrets bring wrenching betrayal. Now this fiercely compassionate beauty must gamble on tricks she never dared to protect those she loves--and survive to carry on the fight. "This well-written and enjoyable installment in de Le n's unique, feminist, urban crime-fiction series . . . infuses satisfying power in both plot and character." --Booklist, STARRED review

In this sexy, heart-stopping tale, one smart, sizzling mami robs the rich and protects the exploited--until one heist too many puts everything at stake. . . Marisol Rivera barely survived being abused with nowhere to turn. So there's "nothing" she won't do to keep her Lower East Side women's health clinic open and give disadvantaged women new lives. Running an exclusive escort service for New York City's rich and powerful 1 percent is the perfect way to bankroll her business--not to mention the perfect cover for robbing corrupt CEOs. And when times get even tougher, pulling a heist on a mega-billionaire will secure the clinic's future--and her gorgeous crew's--for good. . . There's just one problem: Marisol didn't anticipate bad news even more dangerous than her curves. A seductive ex-cop who's too close for comfort, and a powerful thug with a score to settle, are turning Marisol's precise planning and seductive fail-safes into insidious traps. Now this beautiful modern-day Robin Hood will have to play some lethal wild cards without rules or limits to save those she loves--and live to steal another day. . .

Puffy: people whose hair defies gravity is a children's book of text and photographs featuring kids, teens, adults, and families with naturally puffy hair. Writer/performer/educator Aya de Le n put out a call for photos. Individuals and families from far and wide submitted pictures that reflect the pride, wonder, and delight that so many people feel in having hair that defies gravity. We live in a world that works to subdue the natural exuberance of children in a myriad of ways, and this includes attempts to subdue their hair. The Puffy Hair Project is a celebration of the authentic, untamed self as expressed through our hair. The selection of photos primarily reflects people of the African diaspora, and it includes people of Asian, Latina/o, Arab, and Jewish heritage, as well. It is designed to provide puffy-haired kids with positive images, and to provide all of us with an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful diversity of our world. The text is inspired by the simple yet memorable style of Dr. Seuss: "Puffy here. Puffy there. Yay I love my puffy hair." REVIEWS "This is a great book for children and their friends of all ages. It has a classic form, lyrical rhythms, and wonderful photographs that reflect a great variety of the puffy-haired. A much-needed addition to any and all libraries." -Paci Hammond, elementary school librarian, Oakland, CA