Review by Booklist Review
Newbery Medal winner Perkins writes and illustrates an engaging middle-grade book about the personal fulfillment and delight of travel. Lissie, her father, and her grandmother travel to Guatemala to visit her father's friend Raúl for two weeks. Lissie tells her dad that she feels apprehensive about the trip because of her limited ability to speak Spanish. However, as she meets people and visits new and exciting places, her anxiety starts to diminish. Lissie visits a Mayan pyramid and volcano, marveling at the ancient culture and the wonders of nature. While unable to communicate freely with other kids, she learns that words are not always necessary, especially when playing soccer or making friendship bracelets. Black-and-white multimedia artwork appears in the book as full-page illustrations and comic panels, adding visual interest and helping readers see the beauty and wonder of Guatemala. Spanish phrases with phonetic spellings and English translations are also included throughout the narrative to help readers learn Spanish phrases alongside Lissie. An author's note and glossary conclude the book.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this conversational illustrated travelogue by Perkins (Violet and Jobie in the Wild), a tween discovers friendship that transcends a language barrier and the exhilarating mysteries of an unfamiliar environment. While visiting her father's high school friend Raúl in "a part of the world where most people speak Spanish," white-cued Lissie catalogs the things she observes and the ways they make her feel; a looming nearby volcano unsettles her, but she is charmed by gardens inside people's homes and muses that "maybe there are a lot of different ways to make a house." She cheerfully collects Spanish words and phrases and incorporates them into her narration, which proves useful as she befriends Flory, the Spanish-speaking daughter of Raúl's girlfriend. A trip to the ruins of a Mayan pyramid spurs thoughtful conversation between Lissie, her grandmother, and the tour guide, giving Lissie further opportunity to ponder her place in time and space and ruminate on the connection she feels to this new place. Realistic full-page b&w illustrations punctuate the narrative, evoking a gentle episodic feel to the plot and emphasizing Lissie's wide-eyed insights. Ages 8--12. (Feb.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--7--Lissie, her father, and her grandmother travel to Guatemala to visit a family friend. She resolves to learn as much Spanish as she can. The story follows her trip, including many Spanish words, as well as some geography, geology, and history lessons. Despite the language barriers, Lissie finds friends and a sense of home in these new places and people. This younger middle grade novel is delightfully adorned throughout with black-and-white artwork that ranges from spot art to multi-page spreads and comic panels which both enhance and amplify the well-written story. The illustrations accompany the Spanish introduced in the text, spelled out and written phonetically. Using her new language skills, Lissie is able to make friends with other children. Beyond some initial hesitation in forming those friendships, there is no conflict to create a compelling plot, but what emerges is a sweet slice-of-life tale. The events take place only over the two weeks of their trip and provides just a small amount of room for character growth. Within that, Lissie finds some confidence in her ability to connect to others regardless of language and culture barriers. Lissie and her family are white; the people they meet and visit are Guatemalan. The author's note covers her experience learning Spanish; the book reads as a tourist's trip and lacks a cultural authenticity. VERDICT A simple, charmingly written story about a vacation to Guatemala that lacks the cultural depth and plot to add gravitas.--Elizabeth Nicolai
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A young traveler finds home in another land. Alongside her grandma, Lissie joins her father on a two-week trip to visit his old friend Raúl in an unnamed Latin American country, referred to as a "faraway place." Though she knows very little about the world around her, her adventures provide plenty of opportunities to learn and grow, whether through impromptu Spanish lessons from Raúl and a new friend at the park, soccer sessions with neighborhood kids, or a hike up a volcano that "spits out lava and ashes sometimes." Throughout each brief, delightful chapter, Newbery Medalist Perkins adeptly weaves in bucolic, whimsical black-and-white illustrations--some full page, many in panels--that serve as humorous snapshots, phonetic translations (including a phrase in Kaqchikel, an Indigenous Mesoamerican language), or both. Visits to Mayan pyramids and a bustling, humming mercado make for informative, fun explorations. Lissie even forges a tight bond with a girl named Flory. As her escapades conclude, Lissie feels fully at home in this faraway place. Ending on a wistful note, this leisurely, earnest tale devoted to "tiny friendships" and their cumulative effects emphasizes small moments of bliss and gentle understanding. Lissie appears light-skinned; the friends she meets are darker-hued. A warmhearted introduction to the joys of travel. (author's note, Spanish words and phrases that Lissie learns)(Fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
