When shy and introverted Carolina and her family abruptly move from Puerto Rico to upstate New York in search of better opportunities, her life is turned upside down, and anyone who has experienced displacement or is a child of immigrants should easily relate to her story in Otheguy's novel. Suddenly, Carolina's well-meaning mom wants everyone to fit in at all costs, and she can't help but long for her ""real"" home. That is, until she makes a friend at her summer camp. As with many excellent middle-grade books, there's a story here about trying to understand where someone is coming from, instead of giving in to snap judgments. Some poetry is woven into the narrative as well, placing emphasis on roads, contrasting Robert Frost with his contemporary Antonio Machado, who posits there is no path except the one you're walking. In the end, home is where the heart is, and readers who like character-driven fiction will cheer Carolina on as she discovers her own way to find a sense of belonging.--Kristina Pino Copyright 2019 Booklist

After her father loses his job, 11-year-old Carolina moves with her parents and younger brother, Daniel, from their home in Puerto Rico to upstate New York. She misses that open, breezy home, the flamboyn tree in the backyard, and the weekly art lessons with Seora Rivn. Carolina can't seem to relate to her 13-year-old cousin, Gabriela, who is half-Puerto Rican and half-white. Carolina is afraid of losing her Puerto Rican customs, such as leaving Dani's lost tooth for the Ratoncito Prez to take instead of the Tooth Fairy. At Ta Cuca and Uncle Porter's suggestion, Carolina and Dani join Gabriela at a farm day camp called Silver Meadows. She meets Gabriela's friends and a girl named Jennifer who is also an artist. A friendship between Jennifer and Carolina blooms, and after Carolina finds a small abandoned cottage, Jennifer and Carolina turn the cabin into their artists' colony, sneaking off to beautify it and make art there whenever they see the opportunity. The possible closure of the summer camp looms large over the plot; as Carolina strives to find a space for herself in Larksville, she also tries to figure a way to save the beloved summer camp. The poetry of Robert Frost, Luis de Lon, and Antonio Machado provides thematic counterpoint within Otheguy's approachable, empathetic, third-person narrative. A warm depiction of family and of standing up for what you believe in. (Fiction. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 4-6-When 11-year-old Caroline's father loses his job, the family leaves Puerto Rico and relocates in New York where they live with other family members. Her cousin, Gabriela, is far more social than Caroline, who focuses on her art. Carolina and Gabriela are going to Silver Meadows camp this summer, where Gabriela has been in past years and has friends. Carolina's mom suggests she should make friends and be less "antisocial." Caroline meets Jennifer and they share an interest in art, but Gabriela tells her that Jennifer is "weird" and should be avoided. Jennifer and Caroline find a cabin nestled in the woods of the camp that others don't know about and secretly turn the rundown place into their own private artist studio. This contemporary novel reflects the complications of giving up a home, relocating in a new country, and following one's own interests even when they are not fully understood by others. VERDICT An introspective, character-driven tale that will appeal to artists, introverts, or any child who has felt like an outsider.-Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.