Farewell Cuba, Mi Isla

Two starred reviews! Perfect for fans of Margarita Engle and impactful historical fiction (School Library Journal, starred review), this evocative and transportive (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) middle grade novel follows two girls fleeing 1960 Cuba with their family, inspired by award-winning author Alexandra Diazs familys 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 its 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, theyre forced to leave the rest of their family, including Jackie, behind. In Miami, everything is different. And its up to Victoria to step up and help her family settle into this new worldeven though she hopes they wont be there for long. Back in Cuba, everything feels different, too. Jackie watches as friends and family flee, or worse, disappear. So, when shes given a chance to escape to America, she takes iteven 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 Diazs mothers real experiences as a Cuban refugee in America, this is a moving and timely story about family, friendship, and fighting for your future.