Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

As the newly formed Castro government solidifies its control in Cuba, Julian's well-off family finds itself on the wrong end of the Revolution. With neighbors hastily emigrating and neighborhood watches threatening legal action against non-conformers, Julian and his older brothers Gordo and Alquilino are sent alone to the United States as part of Operation Pedro Pan. At Camp Kendal they discover that Caballo, a boy they remember all too well as a school bully, is entrenched as a sort of camp overseer, and he runs a shakedown that keeps the frightened and disoriented children in his thrall. Using his clout with an overworked and understaffed [End Page 74] administration, Caballo gets Gordo and Alquilino transferred to an institution in Denver, leaving him free to oppress Julian without fear of his siblings' intervention. Julian is not without resources of his own, though, and with the help of a former neighbor, Angelita, he runs away from the camp and takes up residence with Tomas, a Cuban refugee who is rebuilding a boat. Julian hopes to ride out this period of disruption in Tomas' care, until his parents can come to the U.S. and reunite the family. Instead he is caught up in Tomas' effort to make a run to Cuba and smuggle fourteen desperate people out of the country. Inspired by Flores-Galbis' experiences as a Pedro Pan refugee, the fast-moving story should easily hook both historical-fiction and adventure readers. The author cultivates the domestic angle of Julian's tale as well, allowing the young protagonist to draw on life lessons and skills his older brothers had once devalued in order to make himself useful to those who could help him weather this personal storm. The conclusion offers considerable hope to the still-fractured family, but it's realistically clear that normalcy will still be some time in coming.