We Are Pan by Andre Frattino

Rating:

4 Stars

Themes:

Graphic Novel, History

Thoughts:

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I didn’t know what to expect starting this book as I knew nothing about Operation Pedro Pan and my knowledge of the Cuban revolution is also limited. I liked how the book started on each child before Castro first as it gave us a real sense of the lives they had and lost due to the political climate. The multiple children also gave a better sense of the people in Cuba at that time, especially the one who joined the party and the one who had to leave against her fathers will. I also really liked the ending showing where the children ended up and the achievement each one made by being given a chance at a different life.

Favourite Quote:

“While Operation: Pedro Pan is very unique to Cuba, and uniquely belongs to that generation of Cubans sent here as children, it is a universal tale for any parent willing to sacrifice everything for their children to have a better life. A life without persecution, without poverty, without starvation, without loss of innocence. It’s also a cautionary tale that can effect any of us, anywhere, at any time. We can only hope that if or when it does happen to us, there is compassion on the other side, a boat or plane ride away.”

With thanks to IDW Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced digital copy of this book.

Comments

Mint and Murder by Carly Winter

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Shame-Sex Attraction by Lucas Wilson

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Porn is Not Sex Ed! by Jessica Melendez

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Young Adult Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. In the age of lessening sex education this book could be a great tool to help bridge the gap. I appreciate the talk to an adult bits that can encourage children to start to have conversations that are important but they often think are cringy. The note to trusted adults bit at the end is great too and there’s quite a few useful activities to help the messages really sink in. Some of the points here such as fetishisation and body image are really important ones that I never learned that young (which could be the reason I had such poor body image as a teen) and for the most part the book talks to kids on their level although some areas may feel a little immaturely worded for older teens. With thanks to Hachette UK and Netgalley for my advanced digital copy of this book.

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