In this poignant picture-book exploration of a young boy's sense of displacement, when his family moves from Puerto Rico to New York City, the eponymous Santiago longs for the familiar, particularly his beloved pet hen, Selina, whom he had to leave behind. Will he ever convince his skeptical classmate, Ernie, that Selina was real? And why is it so important that he do so...?

Some of the details in Santiago seemed a little dated - I have difficulty imagining a teacher today having the authority to take her class to the home of one of her students, or down to the river to play; and many young readers probably won't know what a stereoscope is - but the emotional undercurrents are as relevant as they ever were. Young immigrant children, of all backgrounds, will identify with Santiago, described by his teacher as being "in two places at once," as will any child who has moved to a new town.

The ninth book I have read by Pura Belpré - a Puerto Rican librarian and author, whose work in advancing library services to Spanish-speaking patrons, as well as in promoting the folklore of her homeland, was recognized when the Pura Belpré Award was named after her - Santiago is the first which was not a folktale. I enjoyed this portrait of a (then) contemporary Puerto Rican boy, and wish that Belpré had written more like it. The evocative illustrations by Symeon Shimin - which look to be done in watercolor - accentuate the emotional impact of the story. All in all, a lovely little title! ( )