1 of 1 copy available
Cuban-born eleven-year-old Oriol lives in Santa Barbara, California, where she struggles to belong. But most of the time that’s okay, because she enjoys helping her parents care for the many injured animals at their veterinary clinic.
Then Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American winner of a Nobel Prize in Literature moves to town, and aspiring writer Oriol finds herself opening up. And when she discovers that someone is threatening the life of a baby elephant at her parents’ clinic, Oriol is determined to take action. As she begins to create a world of words for herself, Oriol learns it will take courage and strength to do what she thinks is right—even if it means keeping secrets from those she loves.
A beautifully written, lyrically told story about the power of friendship—between generations, between humans and animals—and the potential of poetry to inspire action, justice, and acceptance.
* "Replete with lovely, nearly magical imagery...Brilliant, joyful, and deeply moving." –Kirkus, starred review
* "Employing immersive free verse that conveys themes of compassion, friendship, justice, and vulnerability, Engle captures how inexplicable Oriol’s grief feels, encasing it in a powerful, charitable, and brave young voice." –Publishers Weekly, starred review
* "A novel written in verse that sings in your heart." –Pura Belpré Award-winning author Marjorie Agosín
-
Creators
-
Publisher
-
Release date
May 31, 2022 -
Formats
-
OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593589731
- File size: 67919 KB
- Duration: 02:21:29
-
-
Languages
- English
-
Reviews
-
Starred review from April 11, 2022
In 1947, 11-year-old Oriol and her family live in Santa Barbara, having migrated from Cuba to seek treatment for her grandmother’s diabetes. After the treatment fails and Abuelita dies, Oriol tries to process her grief while feeling isolated at school and being bullied for her accent and love of animals. Now on summer vacation, she finds solace by helping the many animals at her parents’ veterinary clinic and appreciating their “humorous animal opera.” Oriol struggles to express her feelings in both Spanish and English, until she befriends a neighbor—Engle’s imagined version of poet Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature—who teaches Oriol how to express herself through poetry. And when a baby elephant is separated from its family for a rich actor’s entertainment, Oriol uses her voice to petition for their reunification. Employing immersive free verse that conveys themes of compassion, friendship, justice, and vulnerability, Engle (Rima’s Rebellion) captures how inexplicable Oriol’s grief feels, encasing it in a powerful, charitable, and brave young voice. Back matter includes an author’s note and resources on Gabriela Mistral. Ages 8–12. Agent: Michelle Humphrey, Martha Kaplan Agency. -
Carla Corvo dances nimbly between languages in this verse novel about a Cuban immigrant girl who finds her voice in ingl�s with help from a Nobel laureate and an elephant family. In 1947, Oriol, 11, lives in Santa Barbara, California, where her parents, veterinarians, tend to Hollywood stars' exotic animals--and where Chilean poet, diplomat, and human rights activist Gabriela Mistral is her neighbor. "La poeta famosa" (the story's only historical figure) encourages Oriol's writing and her activism when an egotistical actor inflicts horrific abuse on a baby elephant. As is usually the case with poetry, there is a visual element to the placement of words that narration cannot capture. But Corvo's elephant vocalizations give the audio experience a sonorous depth, and her human characterizations are affecting. V.S. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
-