What If a Fish

(Hardback)

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Description

A whimsical and unflinchingly honest generational story of family and identity where hats turn into leeches, ghosts blow kisses from lemon trees, and the things you find at the end of your fishing line might not be a fish at all.

Half-Colombian Eddie Aguado has never really felt Colombian. Especially after Papa died. And since Mama keeps her memories of Papa locked up where Eddie cant get to them, he only has Papas third-place fishing tournament medal to remember him by. Hell have to figure out how to be more Colombian on his own.

As if by magic, the perfect opportunity arises. Eddiewhos never left Minnesotais invited to spend the summer in Colombia with his older half-brother. But as his adventure unfolds, he feels more and more like a fish out of water.

Figuring out how to be a true colombiano might be more difficult than he thought.

Reviews

"Poetic and believable. Multilayered and convincing, the book will have readers rooting for its sweet and smart protagonist." -- Kirkus Reviews * May 15, 2020 *
"Fajardos honest, heartfelt text evokes sorrow and grief but also understanding, navigating the many complexities of identity, friendship, family, loss, and death." -- Booklist * July 1, 2020 *
"A whimsical and inviting #OwnVoices story of family, friendship, and identity." -- School Library Journal * October 2, 2020 *
"This is a beautifully written talea gentle story that explores the depths of grief, the loss of loved ones, the expanses of family, and the building blocks that make all of us human. So what does this have to do with fish, or fishing Not a whole lot, and everything. I highly recommend you read the book to find out." -- Anjali Sanghvi * Mr. Alex's bookshelf *
Minneapolis author Anika Fajardos first middle-grade novel mines painful life lessons and in its magical middle section, it sings. -- Trisha Collopy * Star Tribune *

Author Bio

Anika Fajardo was born in Colombia and raised in Minnesota. She wrote a book about that experience,Magical Realism for Non-Believers: A Memoir of Finding Family. Anika is also the author ofWhat If a Fish, which won a Minnesota Book Award and was a CCBC Choicesselection, andMeet Me Halfway.A writer, editor, and teacher, she lives in the very literary city of Minneapolis.