- US Edition
Farewell Cuba, Mi Isla
Two girls fleeing 1960 Cuba with their family inspired by award-winning author Alexandra Diaz’s family’s history.
Victoria loves everything about her home in Cuba. The beautiful land, the delicious food, her best friend and cousin, Jackie, and her big, loving family.
But it’s 1960 in Cuba, and as the political situation grows more and more dangerous, Victoria, her parents, and her two younger siblings are forced to seek refuge in America with nothing more than two changes of clothes and five dollars. Worse, they’re forced to leave the rest of their family, including Jackie, behind.
In Miami, everything is different. And it’s up to Victoria to step up and help her family settle into this new world—even though she hopes they won’t be there for long. Back in Cuba, everything feels different, too. Jackie watches as friends and family flee, or worse, disappear. So, when she’s given a chance to escape to America, she takes it—even though she has to go alone. Reunited in Miami, can Victoria and Jackie find a way to bring the rest of their family to safety?
Based on Alexandra Diaz’s mother’s real experiences as a Cuban refugee in America, this is a moving and timely story about family, friendship, and fighting for your future.
Praise and Awards for Farewell Cuba, Mi Isla:
Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Books of 2023
CBC Teacher Favorites Award 2024 Longlist: 6th-8th Grade
Tome Society Book Award 2024-2025
“An evocative and transportive read.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
“Heartfelt and beautifully written, this middle grade novel is perfect for fans of Margarita Engle and of impactful historical fiction.” —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
“Inspired by her own family’s experiences, Diaz delivers a well-researched story that serves as a compassionate introduction to this underdiscussed part of American and Cuban history.” —Publishers Weekly
Rights details
The Author
Alexandra Diaz
Alexandra Diaz (she/her/ella) is the award-winning children’s book author of THE ONLY ROAD, its sequel, THE CROSSROADS, and the companion novel, SANTIAGO’S ROAD HOME. THE ONLY ROAD is the recipient of multiple awards, including the Pura Belpré Honor and Américas Award, among others, as well as being on multiple state-wide reading lists. THE CROSSROADS received the Parents’ Choice Silver Award, 1st place in the International Latino Book Awards, and the Southwest Book Award. Her other books include OF ALL THE STUPID THINGS, (an ALA Rainbow List book and New Mexico-Arizona Book Award finalist), for young adults.
An overactive imagination had her making up stories at an early age and led to getting an MA in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University. The daughter of Cuban refugees, she is a native Spanish speaker and translates her books into Spanish. She currently lives in Santa Fe, NM.
Alexandra is represented by Kristin Ostby.