Available Formats
Farewell Cuba, Mi Isla
By (Author) Alexandra Diaz
Simon & Schuster
Paula Wiseman Books
13th December 2023
United States
Children
Fiction
Childrens / Teenage: Social issues / topics
Childrens / Teenage general interest: Places and peoples
FIC
Hardback
336
Width 140mm, Height 210mm, Spine 30mm
388g
Alan Gratzs Refugee meets Pam Muoz Ryans Esperanza Rising in this poignant middle grade novel about two girls fleeing 1960 Cuba with their family inspired by award-winning author Alexandra Diazs familys 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 its 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, theyre forced to leave the rest of their family, including Jackie, behind.
In Miami, everything is different. And its up to Victoria to step up and help her family settle into this new worldeven though she hopes they wont be there for long. Back in Cuba, everything feels different, too. Jackie watches as friends and family flee, or worse, disappear. So, when shes given a chance to escape to America, she takes iteven 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 Diazs mothers real experiences as a Cuban refugee in America, this is a moving and timely story about family, friendship, and fighting for your future.
Alexandra Diaz is the author ofThe Only Road,The Crossroads,Santiagos Road Home, andFarewell Cuba, Mi Isla.The Only Roadwas a Pura Belpr Honor Book and won the Amricas Award for Childrens and Young Adult Literature, as well as numerous other accolades.Santiagos Road Homewas an International Latino Book Award gold medalist and an ALA Notable Childrens Book. Alexandra is the daughter of Cuban refugees and lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, but got her masters in writing for young people at Bath Spa University in England. A native Spanish speaker, Alexandra now teaches creative writing to adults and teens. Visit her at Alexandra-Diaz.com.