Written by Jorge Argueta.
Illustrated by Manuel Monroy.
*Age Range: 9 and up
*Grade Level: 4 - 6
*Hardcover: 112 pages
*Publisher: Groundwood Books
This novel in verse is a powerful
first-person account of Misael Martínez, a Salvadoran boy whose family joins
the caravan heading north to the United States. We learn all the different
reasons why people feel the need to leave ― the hope
that lies behind their decision, but also the terrible sadness of leaving home.
We learn about how far and hard the trip is, but also about the kindness of
those along the way.
Finally, once the caravan arrives in
Tijuana, Misael and those around him are relieved. They think they have arrived
at the goal of the trip ― to enter the
United States. But then tear gas, hateful demonstrations, force and fear
descend on these vulnerable people. The border is closed. The book ends with
Misael dreaming of El Salvador.
This beautiful and timely story is
written in simple but poetic verse by Jorge Argueta, the award-winning author
of Somos como las nubes / We Are Like the Clouds. Award-winning Mexican
illustrator Manuel Monroy illuminates Misael’s journey. An author’s note is
included, along with a map showing the caravan’s route.
Esta novela en verso es un poderoso
relato en primera persona. Cuenta la historia de Misael Martínez, un niño
salvadoreño cuya familia se une a la caravana que viaja al Norte, hacia los
Estados Unidos. Nos muestra muchas de las razones que hacen que personas
sientan la necesidad de irse, la esperanza que se esconde detrás de esta
decisión, y la terrible tristeza de abandonar sus hogares. Es un aprendizaje
sobre lo largo y arduo del viaje pero también sobre la bondad.
Cuando la caravana finalmente llega a
Tijuana, Misael y los que lo acompañan se sienten aliviados. Piensan que han
alcanzado la meta del viaje de entrar a los Estados Unidos. Pero enseguida el
gas lacrimógeno, las protestas cargadas de odio, la fuerza bruta y el miedo
caen sobre esta gente tan vulnerable. La frontera sigue cerrada. El libro termina
con Misael soñando con El Salvador.
Esta hermosa y relevante historia está
escrita en el verso accesible y poético de Jorge Argueta, el galardonado autor
de Somos como las nubes / We are Like the Clouds. El premiado ilustrador
mexicano Manuel Monroy ilumina la travesía de Misael. El libro incluye una nota
final del autor y un mapa que ilustra la ruta de la caravana.
Review
“The award-winning Salvadoran writer
Argueta offers a brief but powerful novel in verse. … [His] spare text is given
emotional potency through Misael’s observations of the members of the caravan
…” Booklist, starred review
“Deceptively simple black-and-white line
drawings accompany this wrenching account of the humanitarian crisis taking
place in Central America and at the U.S. border. … This moving work should help
children understand the current national discussion.” Kirkus Reviews
Jorge Argueta is an award-winning author
of picture books and poetry for young children. He has won the International
Latino Book Award, the Américas Book Award, the NAPPA Gold Award and the
Independent Publisher Book Award for Multicultural Fiction for Juveniles. His
books have also been named to the Américas Award Commended List, the USBBY
Outstanding International Books Honor List, Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s
Books and the Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices. Somos como las nubes / We Are Like the Clouds, illustrated by Alfonso Ruano, won the Lee Bennett
Hopkins Poetry Award, was a Malka Penn Award for Human Rights in Children’s
Literature honor book and an ALA Notable book, and received many other honors.
A native Salvadoran and Pipil Nahua Indian, Jorge Argueta has returned to El
Salvador and built a library in his backyard in San Salvador so that children
can learn to love books.
Manuel Monroy is one of Mexico’s most
celebrated illustrators who has exhibited his art in Mexico, Cuba, the Czech
Republic, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan. He has won the A la Orilla del
Viento and the Noma Concours Encouragement Prize, and he has been included on
the IBBY Honour List. His illustrations appear in Rooster / Gallo, Be a Baby (Se un bebé), When I Was a Boy
Neruda Called Me Policarpo, What Are You Doing? and Why Are You Doing That? He lives in Mexico City.
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