Wild Dreamers

March 1, 2024
Grades 7-10 After making it to the U.S. from Cuba through a whirlwind of trauma, now-teens Ana and Leandro (and Leandro's service dog, Cielo) find each other and bond over their shared interest in environmental rewilding in Northern California. But their troubles are just beginning, as Leandro struggles with panic attacks, and Ana looks over her shoulder for her father, now a domestic terrorist. Weaving in acutely modern references to things like COVID-19 and the January 6 insurrection, Engle (The Lightning Dreamer, 2013) offers a story of hope amid darkness. A novel in verse, the book also touches on themes of homelessness and family, while wrapping the overall narrative in romance with a touch of magic. Engle's signature straight-to-the-heart poetry tours around Ana's, Leandro's, and Cielo's perspectives with ease, bringing an increased sense of empathy for each character. An echo to Engle's previous Wings in the Wild (2023), this will appeal to readers who enjoy environmental stories such as Adrienne Kisner's The Confusion of Laurel Graham (2019).

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March 1, 2024
Traumatized teens find each other and bond over a shared passion for conservation. Ana, a Cuban American 17-year-old, is living in a car with her mother. Her mom's job doesn't pay enough to cover the cost of living in California's Bay Area, especially now that they're hiding from her dangerous father, who's wanted by the FBI for domestic terrorism. A chance meeting with Leandro, a recent refugee from Cuba who's also 17, leads to instant attraction, and a romance grows. Leandro witnessed his father drown during their dangerous journey to Miami from Cuba, and he can't shake the guilt and psychological scars. Service dog Cielo is his constant sidekick, helping with Leandro's panic attacks. Cielo proves to be a wise companion, sharing observations on emotions, nature, and the human condition in chapters written from her perspective, which are interspersed with chapters voiced by each teen. Ana and Leandro care deeply for the natural world around them, and they start a rewilding club at school to help support the work of environmental scientists and wildlife rescuers. The pair become involved with a pregnant puma who needs immediate support, and they work to make changes for the puma population. Verse in various forms, including beautiful concrete poems, effectively conveys this story's themes of sustainability, resilience, and activism. A transformative journey celebrating the power of overcoming personal struggles to make a lasting impact. (author's note) (Verse fiction. 12-18)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 25, 2024
Seventeen-year-old Ana and her mother live in their car in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, a rewilded military outpost. Most of her botanist mother’s government salary is being allocated to locating Ana’s disappeared father. While walking through the park one night, Ana encounters a puma, as well as a Cuban boy named Leandro, whose service dog, Cielo, helps him manage panic attacks, which have become more frequent since his family’s dangerous journey to the states via boat. Though Ana leaves before they can exchange numbers, Leandro’s transfer to a new high school, and a serendipitous job offer for Ana’s mother, ensure that their paths cross again. Distinctive verse by Engle (Wings in the Wild) portrays Ana and Leandro’s alternating perspectives to fully immerse readers in this sweetly rendered romance, adding depth to the teens’ parallel journeys. Additionally, sections titled “Cielo the singing dog” contribute levity to serious moments. It’s a heartwarming and inspiring eco-centric read that addresses timely issues such as conservation of wildlife and emphasizes the importance of people’s connecting to nature—and each other. Ages 12–up. Agent: Michelle Humphrey, Martha Kaplan Agency.

June 7, 2024

Gr 8 Up-Seventeen-year-olds Leandro and Ana are struggling to make sense of their lives. While fleeing Cuba with his family, Leandro was devastated when his father drowned trying to protect him. Living with his mother and uncle in California, he attempts to get through his panic attacks and grief. Ana and her mother are on the run from her criminal father. Forced to use their car as a home, they wait patiently until her mother makes enough money to afford a place of their own. When Leandro spots Ana in a wilderness park in San Francisco one night, he feels an immediate connection with her. The moment becomes more intense when they see a mountain lion nearby. The teens continue to be drawn to one another and to the natural world around them. They start a rewilding club at their high school to restore the natural habitats of native animal species, and begin to gain confidence as they explore ideas together. Written in verse, the story has a dreamlike vibe that is mesmerizing. With alternating POVs-including a dog's-the plot covers all angles. Engle writes poetically about the natural world, including sharp details about animals, plants, and landscapes. The affection between the young characters is dynamic, as they bond over their shared interest in nature and their life experiences. Though a few mentions of political events briefly disrupt the flow of the narrative, the overall tone is one of warmth and positivity. VERDICT An engaging novel in verse that touches on serious issues but is uplifting and hopeful. Recommended for middle and high school libraries.-Karin Greenberg

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