Chat with us, powered by LiveChat

The Bluest Sky



by
Christina Diaz Gonzalez

Edition
Library edition with trade jacket added
Publisher
Penguin Random House
Imprint
Knopf
ISBN
9780593372807
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Language: Infrequent Use , Language: Mild Language , Violence: General
$22.18   $18.48
SEE MEMBER PRICE
QTY

JLG Category

Advanced Readers

A boy and his family must decide whether to remain in Cuba under a repressive government or risk everything for the chance of a new beginning in this gripping story from the award-winning author of The Red Umbrella.

There are two versions of Héctor: the public and the private. It’s the only way to survive in communist Cuba—especially when your father was exiled to the U.S. and labeled an enemy of the people. Héctor must always be seen as a fierce supporter of the regime, even if that means loudly rejecting the father he still loves.

But in the summer of 1980, those two versions are hard to keep separate. No longer able to suppress a public uprising, the Cuban government says it will open the port of Mariel to all who wish to leave the country—if they can find a boat. But choosing to leave comes with a price. Those who want to flee are denounced as traitors by family and friends. There are violent acts of repudiation, and no one knows if they will truly be allowed to leave the country or not.

So when Héctor’s mother announces that she wants the family to risk everything to go to the United States, he is torn. He misses his father, but Cuba is the only home he has ever known. All his dreams and plans require him to stay. Can he leave everything behind for an unknown future?

In a summer of heat and upheaval, danger and deadly consequences, Héctor’s two worlds are on a collision course. Will the impact destroy him and everything he loves?

Christina Diaz Gonzalez's great-grandmother, great-uncle, and extended family came to the U.S. through the Mariel boatlift. She vividly remembers meeting them all for the first time in the summer of 1980 and is proud to share this part of her family's history.

Glossary.

POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Language: Infrequent Use , Language: Mild Language , Violence: General

Details

Format

Print

Page Count

320

Trim Size

8 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Dewey

F

AR

0: points 0

Lexile

650L

Genre

Fic

Scholastic Reading Counts

0

JLG Release

Jan 2023

Book Genres

Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction

Topics

Emigration and immigration. Refugees. Hispanic and Latino people. Cubans. History of Cuba, 1959–1990. Twentieth-century US history. Mariel Boatlift, 1980. Family life. Friendship. Survival stories. 

Standard MARC Records

Download Standard MARC Records

Cover Art

Download Cover Art

Grades 6-9
Advanced Readers
For Grades 6-9

Your pre-teen and teen readers won't be able to get enough of these selections. The 12 books here are a bit longer than our B category titles, with more challenging storylines and a wealth of thought-provoking nonfiction.

12 books per Year
$243.96 per Year
Interests
Clean Books,Diversity,Fiction,High Interest/Reluctant Reader,Struggling Readers,Novels,Funny/Humorous,Realistic Fiction
Like this book?
Get more like this every month.
LEARN MORE
Grades 6-9
Advanced Readers
12 books per Year
$243.96 per Year

Other Recommended Titles From Advanced Readers

Wild Poppies

by Haya Saleh

Advanced Readers

August 2023

Advanced Readers

July 2023

Camp QUILTBAG

by Nicole Melleby

Advanced Readers

June 2023

Advanced Readers

May 2023
Copyright © 2017 Magento, Inc. All rights reserved.11