Two starred reviews!
âPerfect for fans of Margarita Engle and impactful historical fictionâ (School Library Journal, starred review), this âevocative and transportiveâ (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) middle grade novel follows two girls fleeing 1960 Cuba with their family, inspired by award-winning author Alexandra Diazâs familyâs history.
Victoria loves everything about her home in Cuba. The beautiful land, the delicious food, her best friend and cousin, Jackie, and her big, loving family.
But itâs 1960 in Cuba, and as the political situation grows more and more dangerous, Victoria, her parents, and her two younger siblings are forced to seek refuge in America with nothing more than two changes of clothes and five dollars. Worse, theyâre forced to leave the rest of their family, including Jackie, behind.
In Miami, everything is different. And itâs up to Victoria to step up and help her family settle into this new worldâeven though she hopes they wonât be there for long. Back in Cuba, everything feels different, too. Jackie watches as friends and family flee, or worse, disappear. So, when sheâs given a chance to escape to America, she takes itâeven though she has to go alone. Reunited in Miami, can Victoria and Jackie find a way to bring the rest of their family to safety?
Based on Alexandra Diazâs motherâs real experiences as a Cuban refugee in America, this is a moving and timely story about family, friendship, and fighting for your future.
