Written by Pablo Cartaya
*Publisher: Kokila
*Print length: 288 pages
*ISBN-10: 0451479750
*ISBN-13: 978-0451479754
*Reading age: 8 - 12 years
*Grade level: 3 - 7
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Reality proves more epic than fantasy in this family road trip story starring a reluctant young hero and his curmudgeonly grandfather.
A Pura Belpré Children’s Author Honor Book
Gonzalo Alberto Sánchez García has never considered himself the hero of his own story. He’s an observer, quietly snapshotting landscapes and drawing the creatures he imagines emerging from them. Forced to spend the summer with his estranged grandfather, Alberto William García—the very famous reclusive author—Gonzalo doesn't expect to learn that heroes and monsters are not only the stuff of fantasy.
But that’s precisely what happens when Gonzalo’s CEO mother, Veronica, sends Alberto on tour to promote the final book in his fantasy series for children and Gonzalo must tag along, even though he feels no connection to his grandfather or the books. Together, they embark on a cross-country road trip from Mendocino to Miami in a classic 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass S convertible named Mathilde. Over the course of ten epic days on the highway, they will slay demons, real and imagined; confront old stories to write new ones; and learn what it truly means to show up for your family.
Manual de un héroe para las vacaciones de verano
Tres generaciones, tres mil millas, un verano inolvidable.
Gonzalo Alberto Sánchez García nunca se ha considerado el héroe de su propia historia. Es un observador silencioso, que captura paisajes y dibuja a los animalitos que imagina en ellos. Obligado a pasar el verano con su abuelo a quien no ve muy seguido, Alberto William García —el famoso autor ermitaño— Gonzalo no espera descubrir que los héroes y los monstruos existan más allá de la fantasía.
Pero eso es precisamente lo que ocurre cuando la madre de Gonzalo, Verónica, una exitosa ejecutiva, envía a Alberto de gira para promocionar el nuevo libro de su serie de fantasía infantil, y Gonzalo debe acompañarlo, a pesar de no sentir conexión alguna con su abuelo o con sus libros. Juntos, emprenden un viaje por carretera de costa a costa, desde Mendocino hasta Miami, en un clásico Oldsmobile Cutlass S Convertible de 1968 al que llaman Mathilde. A lo largo de diez días épicos en la carretera, enfrentarán demonios, reales e imaginados; revisitarán viejas historias que servirán para escribir nuevas; y aprenderán lo que realmente significa estar presente para la familia.
Review
“A touching intergenerational road trip epic that juxtaposes heavy themes surrounding loss with playful yet sophisticated interpretations of artistic integrity.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Cartaya weaves humor, heartbreak, and a host of literary tropes and techniques into this complex tale of three grieving road trippers.”—Booklist, starred review
“Wondrous.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review
“Cleverly structured and sweetly engaging.”—Kirkus Reviews
“In this exploration of grief, generational impact, and healing, readers will find a book they can’t put down.” —School Library Journal
“This intergenerational book spins each character's grief together and then, gives them a hero.” —Edith Campbell for School Library Journal’s Pearl’s & Ruby’s blog
“Con humor, corazón y mucho viaje interior, esta novela es ideal para tweens que buscan una lectura cálida y emocionante, perfecta para el verano.” —People En Español
Pablo Cartaya is a sought-after speaker, actor, educator, and the award-winning author of The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora, Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish, Each Tiny Spark, The Last Beekeeper, and Curveball. Learn more about Pablo at PabloCartaya.com and follow him online @PHCartaya.
Las novelas de Pablo Cartaya exploran la identidad, el lugar y los espacios intermedios. Su primera novela sobre un niño que defiende a su comunidad, El épico fracaso de Arturo Zamora, recibió críticas con tres estrellas y es un Libro de Honor del Pura Belpré 2018. Cuando Pablo no escribe, pasa tiempo con su familia o sueña con su próximo viaje a Puerto Rico. Conoce más sobre Pablo en pablocartaya.com y sígalo en Twitter @phcartaya.
