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Isla to Island

By Alexis Castellanos
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4.22 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 2,741 ratings, 520 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Isla to Island by Alexis Castellanos is a children's book that tells the poignant story of a young girl's journey from her home country to a new life in New York City. Through vibrant illustrations and minimal text, the book captures her feelings of displacement, cultural adjustment, and the blossoming of hope and identity in a new environment. It's a visual narrative that beautifully explores themes of resilience, belonging, and the universal experience of moving to an unfamiliar place.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate beautifully illustrated stories about personal growth and resilience. Set against a vibrant cultural backdrop, it explores themes of immigration, adaptation, and finding a sense of belonging in a new world, all presented through captivating visuals perfect for younger readers.

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"A wordless graphic novel in which twelve-year-old Marisol must adapt to a new life 1960s Brooklyn after her parents send her to the United States from Cuba to keep her safe during Castro's regime."--

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This stunning wordless graphic novel follows a young girl in the 1960s who immigrates from Cuba to the United States and must redefine what home means to her.

Marisol loves her colourful island home. Cuba is vibrant with flowers and food and people…but things are changing. The home Marisol loves is no longer safe—and then it’s no longer her home at all. Her parents are sending her to the United States. Alone.

Nothing about Marisol’s new life in cold, grey Brooklyn feels like home—not the language, school, or even her foster parents. But Marisol starts to realise that home isn’t always a place. And finding her way can be as simple as staying true to herself.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Isla to Island by Alexis Castellanos receives praise for its powerful depiction of the immigrant experience, drawing comparisons to Shaun Tan's work. It is described as beautiful and heart-wrenching, resonating deeply with those familiar with starting anew, particularly within the Cuban refugee context. The use of colour and spare text effectively conveys the protagonist's journey from despair to rediscovery, and it is celebrated as an inspiring and empathetic story.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781534469235

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 15 March 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Illustration: f-c cvr (fx: spot gloss, emboss)+int. ill; digital

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Alexis Castellanos

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 13.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 447g

Pages: 192

Collections

Alexis Castellanos Children's Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational

About the Author

Alexis Castellanos was born and raised in Florida where she enjoyed sunny days, dramatic thunderstorms, and delicious Cuban food. After graduating from college, she moved to New York City and worked as a scenic artist, bringing theatrical sets to life with a little bit of paint and a whole lot of ingenuity. She currently works as a graphic designer by day and spends her nights dreaming up stories. She lives in Seattle with her partner and her extremely photogenic cat, Belle. Isla to Island is her first graphic novel. 

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