GOOD-BYE, HAVANA! HOLA, NEW YORK!

Colón’s story follows 6-year-old Gabriella as she and her family flee Cuba after Castro’s rise to power. The text is a mix of English and Spanish, which Alma Cuervo’s adroit narration makes seamless to listeners, whether they know Spanish or not. She does this by drawing listeners into Gabriella’s confusion and fear when she leaves her grandparents behind and finds herself in the Bronx, where everything—the language, the weather, the food—is strange and new. Cuervo then builds Gabriella’s curiosity, hope, and contentment as she settles into her new home and then, finally, reunites with her family. Children don’t need to understand the history to enjoy this gentle story about the importance of family and tackling new situations with a positive spirit. A.F. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2012]