Rating: 4 for strong graphic memoir of the author's father and escape to America
My Thoughts:
I have two graphic novels about Che Guevarra, but this is the first one taken from the point of view of a boy, Carlos, who lives the idyllic life with his parents and grandparents in the Cuban countryside. They are not rich, but they are also not poor. Still, while Carlos loves the countryside, loves to play baseball with his friend Alvaro, and loves spend time with his abuelo, Carlos' father dreams of winning the lottery and moving to the city.
I mean, everyone dreams of winning the lottery, but Carlosʻ papi, the authorʻs grandfather, actually does win the lottery. But this is also when Castro overthrows the Cuban president, and things are not good for the family
When Castro takes his father's furniture business, the family ends up back in the countryside, but things are not better in this new Castro regime for his abuelo. This is the story of the life before, the life during, and the escape after. Carlos is the right age to appeal to the middle level reader and there is enough drama to keep readers invested.
From the Publisher:
Carlos, who lives in a small town in the Cuban countryside, loves to play baseball with his best friend, Alvaro, and to shoot home-made slingshots with his abuelo.
One day, a miracle happens: Carlos' father, his papi, wins the lottery! He uses the money to launch his own furniture business and to move the family to a big house in the city.
Carlos hates having to move -- hates leaving Abuelo and Alvaro behind -- and hates being called country kid at his new school. But the pains of moving and middle school turn out to be the least of his problems.
When rebel leader Fidel Castro overthrows the existing Cuban president, the entire country is thrust into revolution. Then, suddenly, Papi disappears. Carlos' mother tells him that Papi has gone to America, and that they will soon join him. But Carlos really doesn't want to leave Cuba, the only home he's ever known. Besides, how will they get to America when Castro's soldiers are policing their every move? Will Carlos ever see his father again?
This powerful book about a boy coming of age amid massive political upheaval tells a timeless story of one family's quest for freedom and for a new place to call home.
One day, a miracle happens: Carlos' father, his papi, wins the lottery! He uses the money to launch his own furniture business and to move the family to a big house in the city.
Carlos hates having to move -- hates leaving Abuelo and Alvaro behind -- and hates being called country kid at his new school. But the pains of moving and middle school turn out to be the least of his problems.
When rebel leader Fidel Castro overthrows the existing Cuban president, the entire country is thrust into revolution. Then, suddenly, Papi disappears. Carlos' mother tells him that Papi has gone to America, and that they will soon join him. But Carlos really doesn't want to leave Cuba, the only home he's ever known. Besides, how will they get to America when Castro's soldiers are policing their every move? Will Carlos ever see his father again?
This powerful book about a boy coming of age amid massive political upheaval tells a timeless story of one family's quest for freedom and for a new place to call home.
Publication Information:
Author: Daniel Miyares
Publisher: Anne Schwartz Books (September 30, 2025)
Print length: 240 pages
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