September 30, 2025 by Anne Schwartz Books
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In this graphic novel set in 1956, we meet Carlos, who has a great life in Ceiba Mocha, Cuba. He lives in a cozy house in the countryside with his Mama, Papi, younger brother Lazaro, and sisters Maggie and Isaura. His aunt lives nearby, as do his grandparents. His best friend, Alvaro, has a father who works on the grandparents’ farm. There are so many things to do outside, his grandmother’s good food, and a lot of time spent with his grandfather fishing and hanging out. Carlos’ father seems stressed and unhappy with his life, so when he wins the lottery, he moves the family to Matanzas, a town where he sets up a furniture manufacturing business. Carlos doesn’t care about the bigger house or better opportunities; he wants his old life back. This is unlikely to happen, especially since Batista’s government is overthrown by Castro, and the resulting conflict seeps into every facet of Carlos’ life. It takes a while, but eventually the government appropriates his father’s business, leading his father to become involved in underground activities, and to eventually become a “Gusano”, the term used by Castro’s supporters to describe people who leave for the US. Carlos’ mother does her best to keep the family together, but eventually the revolution comes a little too close, and the family moves back with the grandparents. The father returns, and Carlos’ family makes the dangerous journey to the United States. The grandparents, who have their farm taken over by the government, move to an apartment in Matanzas and remain in Cuba. The journey is difficult, but by 1962 the family has settled into a new life in Miami, Florida. This story is based on the life of the author’s father.
Strengths: I absolutely loved that the biggest portion of this book was spent describing Carlos’ life before things become difficult. His close relationship with his grandfather, his idyllic childhood in the country, and his family’s increasing involvement in current events will help modern readers understand that war torn places in the world have not always been that way. While the basic circumstances of Carlos’ family are repeated again and again, the details of the family’s experiences give this a personal touch, especially since this is based on Miyares’ own father. The artwork is lovely, and very different for a graphic novel. The style and the colors felt very midcentury to me, which was very nice. This is one of the best graphic novels I have read recently, so I will definitely purchase it.
Weaknesses: While there is a good deal of information about Castor’s process of taking over the government spread throughout the book, it wouldn’t have hurt to have a two page overview of events, or perhaps a timeline, at the end of the book. Young readers will have little idea about this era in history, and may need some support in understanding the events.
What I really think: I will definitely purchase this graphic novel. Castro’s revolution, and especially Operation Pedro Pan, is probably my third favorite horrible historic event, after the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and the Partition of India. A few years ago, a student’s grandmother came to speak to our school about her own journey from Cuba to the US with Operation Pedro Pan, so it’s good to see this story being told in books like
Castellanos' wordless graphic novel, Isla to Island, Cartaya's A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation, Behar's Letters From Cuba Cuevas' Cuba in My Pocket, Gonzales' The Bluest Sky and The Red Umbrella, Diaz's Farewell Cuba, Manzano's Coming Up Cuban and Flores-Galbis' 90 Miles to Havana.
History Comics: The Great Depression From Hard Times to the New Deal
October 21, 2025 by First Second
E ARC Provided by Netgalley
Alex and Kassie are modern day siblings who are tired of being stuck inside as wild fires rage outside their home. Their mother is working from home and needs both of them off the internet so she can attend a virtual meeting, so the two reluctantly play a board game about the Great Depression. They are magically sucked into the game, and cards appear in their pockets prompting them to do things. Alex tries to sell his stock, but ends up buying some instead and losing money. Kassie is unable to withdraw money from the bank. Soon, the siblings are separated, with Alex riding the rails out to California and Kassie trying to keep herself afloat by working in a factory. Along the way, they each learn more and more about why the Great Depression happened, and how it impacted Americans. At one point, Kassie even meets Eleanor Roosevelt, and helps smuggle President Roosevelt onto a train. She gets on a boat and ends up in Hawaii right as Pearl Harbor is being bombed, but manages to reconnect with Alex and eventually get back home. The two have a renewed appreciation for their life!
I love the History Comics for engaging young readers, so while I wasn fond of the gamifying of The Great Depression, it might lure students into reading about it. There's not quite as much information as there was in the World War II Homefront or Prohibition, but since we are looking at nearly one hundred years ago (96 today, in fact!) I'd love for my students to read anything they can about the historic era. There are some notes at the end about some aspects that didn't get much coverage, like the CCC (Read Pearson's excellent Fighting for the Forest for information about this) and the WPA's Sewing Rooms Program, which I had not heard about. Now I need information about THAT!
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