Farewell Cuba, Mi Isla

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Two starred reviews!

Perfect for fans of Margarita Engle and impactful historical fiction (School Library Journal, starred review), this evocative and transportive (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) middle grade novel follows 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.

Reviews

* "Readers will be able to relate to the coming-of-age elements while learning about an important and difficult part of Cubas history.An evocative and transportive read." -- Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
* "Heartfelt and beautifully written, this middle grade novel is perfect for fans of Margarita Engle and of impactful historical fiction." -- School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
Inspired by her own familys experiences, Diaz delivers a well-researched story that serves as a compassionate introduction to this underdiscussed part of American and Cuban history. -- Publishers Weekly * 9/18/23 *
"This is a moving, poignant read." -- Booklist
"Diaz does not shy away from addressing intertwined issues of the time period, including school integration, Cold War anti-Russian prejudice, and racial and gender dynamics within the family. The books ending... allows for a happy, hopeful reunion in Miami with Jackies parents and baby brother and the girls grandmother." -- The Horn Book

Author Bio

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.