Christina Diaz Gonzalez

Loved how this graphic novel went places I wasn't expecting -- definitely had that "adults are the worst" vibe going for it, and all the microaggressions about race and Latinx identity, but I loved that it was fully bilingual, and the story made space for that. I loved that there was something to learn about each of the students that wasn't immediately apparent. I loved that each of them had their own reason for relating to homelessness, and I loved that this is about youth taking action to show more help others. Managed to stay cute graphic novel appealing while sending a great message.

Advanced Reader's Copy Provided by Edelweiss show less

Very fast paced, complex. I didn't find it all that believable, but I think it will be popular with intended audience. The altered DNA plotline was great, but I have a hard time with the 12 YO computer genius and with the family basically creating their own witness protection program without outside support. I am naïve about these things -- it might very well be possible, but I found it unlikely. I'm also not all that convinced about social media as the answer to the permanent safety show more question, but again, what do I know?
It is a mile-a-minute storyline and I like that the heart of it is based on real science. show less

Atmospheric and tense, the story held my attention from start to finish.

The Bluest Sky by Christina Diaz Gonzalez is a new middle-grade book that older readers would also enjoy and find enlightening. It combines historical events with fictional ones that could easily be the backstories of many Cuban refugees that literally landed on these shores. There are moments of complete heartbreak but also hope for new lives and freedom.

Although Hector is content for much of the first part of the show more book, it becomes clear he is so because he’s never known life to be anything different. The author envelops the characters and reader in an atmosphere of oppression, fear, poverty, and lack of the freedoms we know as fundamental to our lives in the U.S. But as the reality of life is revealed to Hector, he quickly loses that contentment. Just the effects the American embargo had on the Cuban people’s ability to maintain their homes (they couldn’t get the materials to do so) was eye-opening. The author has put names and faces, albeit fictional, to those suffering, personalizing it and making it real.

Besides the oppressive setting, the plot quickly becomes tense and dangerous. I held my breath numerous times during the family’s harrowing process of leaving the country and teared up with both sadness and relief at others. It may take me a while to get over this story.

The juvenile main characters are engaging, strong, and brave: boys and girls with whom young readers will readily feel a connection. The plot includes features of their everyday living, home life, food, and growing up. The dialogue is liberally sprinkled with Spanish words and phrases whose meaning must be construed from context or looked up. Although it slowed the reading process down somewhat, I enjoyed looking up those that I didn’t recognize or couldn’t translate on my own.

With its taut storyline and engaging characters, THE BLUEST SKY would be a great book to share and discuss. I recommend it for middle-grade or older readers, which was well worth the reading.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through NetGalley and TBR and Beyond Book Tours. show less

Such a smart way this story was told, not only the framework which I’ll get to in the next paragraph, but also in making it bilingual, I just kept thinking what an entertaining tool this would be for someone to augment learning Spanish or English through these bright bold illustrations and an engaging plot.

As gradually you learn why these kids have gathered together in the principal’s office it unfolds like a well-paced mystery and with each kid getting a turn at telling their side of show more the story it allows you to know them a bit better individually. It’s a solid cast, not only diverse in the Latin representation and their backgrounds, but also in their personalities, the sort of book where every reader is likely to find a character they identify with to some degree.

Some of these kids, as well as another family in the book have or are experiencing tough times but this story manages to bring you to an overall feel-good space and I’d happily spend more time with this group in a sequel. show less