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How to Say Goodbye in Cuban

Author Daniel Miyares On Tour
Paperback
$13.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Anne Schwartz Books
5-1/2"W x 8-1/4"H
On sale Sep 30, 2025 | 240 Pages | 9780593568309
Grades 6-8
Reading Level: Lexile 370L | Fountas & Pinnell X
FOC Jul 28, 2025
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Here is the dramatic coming-of-age graphic novel memoir of 12-year-old Carlos (who would grow up to become the author’s father), his life during the Cuban Revolution, and his family’s harrowing escape to America.

Carlos, who lives in a small town in the Cuban countryside, loves to play baseball with his best friend, Alvaro, and to shoot home-made slingshots with his abuelo.

One day, a miracle happens: Carlos' father, his papi, wins the lottery! He uses the money to launch his own furniture business and to move the family to a big house in the city.

Carlos hates having to move -- hates leaving Abuelo and Alvaro behind -- and hates being called country kid at his new school. But the pains of moving and middle school turn out to be the least of his problems.

When rebel leader Fidel Castro overthrows the existing Cuban president, the entire country is thrust into revolution. Then, suddenly, Papi disappears. Carlos' mother tells him that Papi has gone to America, and that they will soon join him. But Carlos really doesn't want to leave Cuba, the only home he's ever known. Besides, how will they get to America when Castro's soldiers are policing their every move? Will Carlos ever see his father again?

This powerful book about a boy coming of age amid massive political upheaval tells a timeless story of one family's quest for freedom and for a new place to call home.
Daniel Miyares is the critically acclaimed author-illustrator of NIGHT OUT, which was called a “pleasure” by Publishers Weekly in a starred review, and FLOAT, which the Boston Globe called a “perfect wordless picture book.” He is also the illustrator of NIGHT WALK TO THE SEA, written by Deborah Wiles, described as “majestic” by Bulletin Center for Children’s Books, and THAT IS MY DREAM! a picture book version of Langston Hughes’ “Dream Variation,” hailed as “a must-read” by Kirkus in a starred review. He lives in Kansas with his family. View titles by Daniel Miyares
★ “Miyares beautifully renders Carlos' home and experiences in ink and watercolors with warm tropical tones and inky shadows that recall the work of Raul Colón.” —Booklist, starred review

★ “A heartfelt, suspenseful story about family and resilience.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “[A] reverent graphic novel about one immigrant family’s experience navigating Cuba’s tumultuous political history that offers a glimpse into the events’ effect on future generations.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"The ­stunning art is rendered in watercolor and ink, with murky blues and browns in especially harrowing scenes and pops of orange and pink that inspire hope throughout." —School Library Journal
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About

Here is the dramatic coming-of-age graphic novel memoir of 12-year-old Carlos (who would grow up to become the author’s father), his life during the Cuban Revolution, and his family’s harrowing escape to America.

Carlos, who lives in a small town in the Cuban countryside, loves to play baseball with his best friend, Alvaro, and to shoot home-made slingshots with his abuelo.

One day, a miracle happens: Carlos' father, his papi, wins the lottery! He uses the money to launch his own furniture business and to move the family to a big house in the city.

Carlos hates having to move -- hates leaving Abuelo and Alvaro behind -- and hates being called country kid at his new school. But the pains of moving and middle school turn out to be the least of his problems.

When rebel leader Fidel Castro overthrows the existing Cuban president, the entire country is thrust into revolution. Then, suddenly, Papi disappears. Carlos' mother tells him that Papi has gone to America, and that they will soon join him. But Carlos really doesn't want to leave Cuba, the only home he's ever known. Besides, how will they get to America when Castro's soldiers are policing their every move? Will Carlos ever see his father again?

This powerful book about a boy coming of age amid massive political upheaval tells a timeless story of one family's quest for freedom and for a new place to call home.

Author

Daniel Miyares is the critically acclaimed author-illustrator of NIGHT OUT, which was called a “pleasure” by Publishers Weekly in a starred review, and FLOAT, which the Boston Globe called a “perfect wordless picture book.” He is also the illustrator of NIGHT WALK TO THE SEA, written by Deborah Wiles, described as “majestic” by Bulletin Center for Children’s Books, and THAT IS MY DREAM! a picture book version of Langston Hughes’ “Dream Variation,” hailed as “a must-read” by Kirkus in a starred review. He lives in Kansas with his family. View titles by Daniel Miyares

Praise

★ “Miyares beautifully renders Carlos' home and experiences in ink and watercolors with warm tropical tones and inky shadows that recall the work of Raul Colón.” —Booklist, starred review

★ “A heartfelt, suspenseful story about family and resilience.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “[A] reverent graphic novel about one immigrant family’s experience navigating Cuba’s tumultuous political history that offers a glimpse into the events’ effect on future generations.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"The ­stunning art is rendered in watercolor and ink, with murky blues and browns in especially harrowing scenes and pops of orange and pink that inspire hope throughout." —School Library Journal

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