Isla to Island

(Paperback)

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Description

This stunning wordless graphic novel follows a young girl in the 1960s who immigrates from Cuba to the United States and must redefine what home means to her.

Marisol loves her colorful island home. Cuba is vibrant with flowers and food and peoplebut things are changing. The home Marisol loves is no longer safeand then its no longer her home at all. Her parents are sending her to the United States. Alone.

Nothing about Marisols new life in cold, gray Brooklyn feels like homenot the language, school, or even her foster parents. But Marisol starts to realize that home isnt always a place. And finding her way can be as simple as staying true to herself.

Reviews

*"Powerfully depict[s] the disorienting experience of immigration in a way reminiscent of Shaun TansThe Arrival." -- The Horn Book Magazine, starred review
*"Beautiful and heartbreaking.... [Marisol's] story will resonate with Cuban children growing up on their abuelos stories and anyone who has had to leave their home and start over.... An important and authentic look at the Cuban refugee experience." -- Kirkus, starred review
*"Employing spare text in the form of signs and radio chatter in Spanish and English, debut creator Castellanos effectively uses color as a vehicle to portray Marisols loving life with her family in Cuba, despair at their separation, and slow arc to a new life in which she honors her Cuban identity through food and music." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
*"An inspiring, empathy-building story." -- School Library Journal, starred review
"A different kind of immigrant story uniquely told." -- Booklist

Author Bio

AlexisCastellanos was born and raised in Florida where she enjoyed sunny days, dramatic thunderstorms, and delicious Cuban food. After graduating from college, she moved to New York City and worked as a scenic artist, bringing theatrical sets to life with a little bit of paint and a whole lot of ingenuity. She currently works as a graphic designer by day and spends her nights dreaming up stories. She lives in Seattle with her partner and her extremely photogenic cat, Belle.Isla to Islandis her first graphic novel.