Farewell Cuba, Mi Isla

by Alexandra Diaz (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

Alan Gratz's Refugee meets Pam Muñoz Ryan's Esperanza Rising in this "evocative and transportive" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) middle grade novel about two girls fleeing 1960 Cuba with their family inspired by award-winning author Alexandra Diaz's family's 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 it's 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, they're forced to leave the rest of their family, including Jackie, behind.

In Miami, everything is different. And it's up to Victoria to step up and help her family settle into this new world--even though she hopes they won't be there for long. Back in Cuba, everything feels different, too. Jackie watches as friends and family flee, or worse, disappear. So, when she's given a chance to escape to America, she takes it--even 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 Diaz's mother's real experiences as a Cuban refugee in America, this is a moving and timely story about family, friendship, and fighting for your future.

Select format:
Hardcover
$17.99

Kirkus

Starred Review
An evocative and transportive read.

ALA/Booklist

This is a moving, poignant read.

Review quotes

 
Alexandra Diaz
Alexandra Diaz is the award-winning author of The Only Road, The Crossroads, Santiago's Road Home, and Farewell Cuba, Mi Isla. The Only Road was a Pura Belpré Honor Book and won the Américas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature, as well as numerous other accolades. Santiago's Road Home was an International Latino Book Award gold medalist and an ALA Notable Children's Book. Farewell Cuba, Mi Isla was a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, received the Teacher's Favorites Award from the Children's Book Council, and received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal. Alexandra is the daughter of Cuban refugees and a native Spanish speaker. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, but got her master's in writing for young people at Bath Spa University in England. Visit her at Alexandra-Diaz.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781534495401
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Publication date
September 05, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039250 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emigration & Immigration
JUV016150 - Juvenile Fiction | Historical | United States - 20th Century
JUV011030 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - Hispanic & Latino
Library of Congress categories
History
Family life
Refugees
Cuba
1959-1990
Miami
Novels

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