What If a Fish
Published on 11. August 2020
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-1-5344-4983-1 (ISBN)
Description
A whimsical and unflinchingly honest generational story of family and identity where hats turn into leeches, ghosts blow kisses from lemon trees, and the things you find at the end of your fishing line might not be a fish at all.
Half-Colombian Eddie Aguado has never really felt Colombian. Especially after Papa died. And since Mama keeps her memories of Papa locked up where Eddie can't get to them, he only has Papa's third-place fishing tournament medal to remember him by. He'll have to figure out how to be more Colombian on his own.
As if by magic, the perfect opportunity arises. Eddie-who's never left Minnesota-is invited to spend the summer in Colombia with his older half-brother. But as his adventure unfolds, he feels more and more like a fish out of water.
Figuring out how to be a true colombiano might be more difficult than he thought.
Half-Colombian Eddie Aguado has never really felt Colombian. Especially after Papa died. And since Mama keeps her memories of Papa locked up where Eddie can't get to them, he only has Papa's third-place fishing tournament medal to remember him by. He'll have to figure out how to be more Colombian on his own.
As if by magic, the perfect opportunity arises. Eddie-who's never left Minnesota-is invited to spend the summer in Colombia with his older half-brother. But as his adventure unfolds, he feels more and more like a fish out of water.
Figuring out how to be a true colombiano might be more difficult than he thought.
Reviews / Votes
"Poetic and believable. Multilayered and convincing, the book will have readers rooting for its sweet and smart protagonist." -- Kirkus Reviews * May 15, 2020 * "Fajardo's honest, heartfelt text evokes sorrow and grief but also understanding, navigating the many complexities of identity, friendship, family, loss, and death." -- Booklist * July 1, 2020 * "A whimsical and inviting #OwnVoices story of family, friendship, and identity." -- School Library Journal * October 2, 2020 * "This is a beautifully written tale-a gentle story that explores the depths of grief, the loss of loved ones, the expanses of family, and the building blocks that make all of us human. So what does this have to do with fish, or fishing? Not a whole lot, and everything. I highly recommend you read the book to find out." -- Anjali Sanghvi * Mr. Alex's bookshelf * Minneapolis author Anika Fajardo's first middle-grade novel mines painful life lessons and in its magical middle section, it sings. -- Trisha Collopy * Star Tribune *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Simon & Schuster
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Third Grade to Seventh Grade, Interest Age: From 8 to 12 years
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
f-c jacket (spfx: pearlescent stock + deboss & bump plate)
Dimensions
Height: 213 mm
Width: 147 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
318 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5344-4983-1 (9781534449831)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Anika Fajardo
What If a Fish
E-Book
08/2020
1st Edition
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
€8.89
Available for download
Person
Anika Fajardo was born in Colombia and raised in Minnesota. She is the award-winning author of Magical Realism for Non-Believers, What If a Fish, Meet Me Halfway, and The Many Mothers of Dolores Moore. She lives with her family in Minneapolis. Find out more at AnikaFajardo.com.