Libertad [Paperback]

Alma Fullerton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 13, 2008 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Governor General's Literary Award nominee 2008
- Children's Literature, Text category

Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award Winner, 2009

Golden Oak Award winner, 2009

Canadian Children's Book Centre Awards 2009 finalist

On Resource Link's "Best of 2008" List

CLA Children's Book of the Year Award Honour Book, 2009

Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Awards shortlist, 2010

Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice, 2009«Starred Choice

With their father gone to America to make money for his family, Libertad, his little brother Julio and their mother scrape a living out of a dump in Guatemala City. Although it is too late for him, Libertad is determined that his little brother should go to school. Taught to play the marimba by his father, Libertad uses his talent as a street musician to raise enough money for his brother's school supplies. But his dreams for their future are destroyed when their mother is killed in a freak accident. Libertad must face the inevitable truth; they cannot survive on the streets of Guatemala City alone. There is only one thing to do. They must set out on the long and lonely journey to the Rio Grande River, where they plan to cross the water and enter the United States to find their father.

A moving story about determination and hope, Libertad is a stunning free verse novel by the author of In the Garage and Walking on Glass.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7–10—In a series of free-verse poems, Libertad describes the events leading up to his mother's accidental death in the Guatemalan dump where the family picks garbage and his subsequent journey north with his little brother, Julio, and a dog to find his father in the United States. Desperate and determined, the boys depend on their wits, the kindness of people they meet on their way, and a bit of good fortune. They play a marimba picked from the trash, work in fields and a tortilla factory, and even beg on the streets of Mexico City. Basing her story on the experiences of actual migrant children, Fullerton conveys their struggle in simple but carefully chosen words and images. The suspense is real and though readers may question some of the choices Libertad makes along the way, they will celebrate his perseverance and ultimate success. With realistic detail and well-paced suspense, this survival story is a good choice for reluctant readers.—Kathleen Isaacs, Towson University, MD
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Review

"Young people of all ages will be intrigued and affected emotionally by this exceptional story."
-- Winnipeg Free Press

"Fullerton weaves strands of beauty. . . It doesn't take long to read, but it packs an emotional punch.
Highly Recommended."
-- CM Magazine

"Alma Fullerton creates two characters who wend their way into the reader's heart with a story that will have even the most reluctant reader forging forward with them to a better future."
-- The Brandon Sun

"The suspense is real and though readers may question some of the choices Libertad makes along the way, they will celebrate his perseverance and ultimate success. With realistic detail and well-paced suspense, this survival story is a good choice for reluctant readers."
-- The School Library Journal

"The spare free verse is uneven but still packed with heartrending images of desperation and squalid poverty that will be eye-opening to young readers. Libertad's fierce love for his brother is deeply moving and based on the story of a real boy's journey combined with other children's actual experiences. Although there are some contrivances and loose ends, this short yet evocative tale will attract readers."
-- Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Fitzhenry and Whiteside; 1 edition (September 13, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554551064
• ISBN-13: 978-1554551064
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 6.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,044,930 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I grew up in a large military family. Was born in Ontario Canada then moved to British Columbia when I was 12. Traveled to Europe after graduating.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Astonishing, Moving book, November 20, 2009

By 

Sonia Levitin (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Libertad (Paperback)

This book made me aware of a situation in our own hemisphere, of street children whose only desire is to live in freedom. It is a moving account, told in sparse prose poetry, with plenty of action and twists of plot. It draws you immediately into a most disturbing situation, but somehow family love and the will to action overcomes tragedy. I recommend this book to adults and teens as a fast, exciting read and a book to stimulate both thought and action.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting Review: Libertad, October 23, 2008

By 

Enchanting Reviews "Lisa" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Libertad (Paperback)

LIBERTAD

ALMA FULLERTON

MG contemporary

Rating: 4 Enchantments

Libertad and his brother Julio live near the Guatemala City Dump. After the death of their mother, the brothers decide to go to America to search for their father. They have to survive on their own on the long and dangerous journey to the states not knowing if they will find their father but longing for libertad--freedom from the garbage.

This story gives readers a glimpse of the lives of two children who live across the border and what they have to do in order to find their long lost father.

As a former bilingual teacher, I often heard similar tales from my student's families of the struggles and hardships of trying to cross the border. My own family was migrants from the interior of Mexico. I heard many stories too while growing up.

Fullerton paints an accurate portrayal of the harsh lives of those who struggle to come to American. The rhythm of this story pulls the reader along as Libertad and his brother encounter others who either try to take advantage of them or show acts of kindness. We see the street children of Mexico City, the allure of sniffing glue to forget, and the fear of la migra--immigration police.

Fullerton states in the back of her book that over 80,000 unaccompanied migrant children attempt to enter the United States. This is a fact. I saw this as a bilingual teacher in an L.A. county school. This book is a must read. If anything to get a taste of what others go through in their search for libertad.

Alma Fullerton was born in Ottawa and grew up in a large military family. She's lived all over Canada and in Europe and now resides in Ontario with her husband and two daughters. Check out more at www.almafullerton.com

Kim

ENCHANTING REVIEWS

October 2008

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A winner, September 16, 2008

By 

A. M. Pace - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Libertad (Paperback)

LIBERTAD is a beautiful and haunting book with a strong streak of hope. I loved it.