Acclaimed author Margarita Engle tells a âdeeply felt and engrossingâ (Horn Book Magazine) story of love in a time of hunger inspired by her own familyâs struggles during a dark period in Cubaâs history.
The people of Cuba are living in el perĂodo especial en tiempos de pazâthe special period in times of peace. Thatâs what the government insists that this era must be called, but the reality behind these words is starvation.
Liana is struggling to find enough to eat. Yet hunger has also made her brave: she finds the courage to skip a summer of so-called volunteer farm labor, even though she risks government retribution. Nearby, a quiet, handsome boy named Amado also refuses to comply, so he wanders alone, trying to discover rare sources of food.
A chance encounter with an enigmatic dog brings Liana and Amado together. United in hope and hunger, they soon discover that their feelings for each other run deep. Love can feed their souls and heartsâbut is it enough to withstand el perĂodo especial?