Neverforgotten
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
A New York Times Best Book of the Year
A Kids' Indie Next List
An Indies Introduce Selection
New York Public Library's Best of the Year
ABC Group Best Books for Young Readers
"A transformative, noteworthy debut. A philosophical read, begging discussion and interpretation."—Pam Muñoz Ryan, New York Times
★ "Algorta's narrative glides with skillful pacing and poetic yet accessible language; Rickenmann's soft, detail-rich illustrations tonally match the refined internal rhythm of the prose."—Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ "Poetic...lyrical and moving novel with a melancholic ode to coming of age."—Foreword Reviews (starred)
★ "An unmissable tale about loss and reclamation."—Kirkus (starred)
"A memorable and meaningful ride."—Horn Book
Fabio flies through the streets of Bogotá on his bicycle, the children of his neighborhood trailing behind him. It is there that life feels right—where the world of adults, and their lies, fades away. But then one day, he simply forgets. Forgets how to ride his bicycle. And Fabio will never be the same again.
From Colombia comes a special debut talent, Alejandra Algorta, and a first novel of discovery and heartbreak. Algorta's distinct and poetic prose has been translated by award-winning author Aida Salazar, and presented in English and Spanish.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bookended by striking charcoal illustrations, this kinetic dual-language novel by debut author Algorta visually introduces readers to the streets of Bogotá, Colombia, where its young protagonist roams, before diving into its tête-bêche bilingual narrative. Described in the back matter as a means "to evoke old photographs and memory," the art immediately establishes the mood of Algorta's lyrical tale. Fabio, a 10-year-old boy more comfortable on his salmon-colored bicycle than his own feet ("the son of Hecate, goddess of the wheel"), has navigated his city, delivered bread, and led a pack of neighborhood kids since he learned to pedal. But when a fall causes him to forget how to ride, a restless Fabio searches for a way to regain his ability to cycle, befriending older neighbor Alicia and questioning the truths of the world along the way. Told from the third-person perspective, Algorta's narrative glides with skillful pacing and poetic yet accessible language; Rickenmann's soft, detail-rich illustrations tonally match the refined internal rhythm of Algorta's prose ("When he was on his bicycle, the dust danced with him"), supported by Salazar's (Land of the Cranes) faithful, sophisticated translation. Ages 8–12. Agent (for Algorta): Pablo de la Vega, Babel Libros; (for Salazar) Marietta Zacker, Gallt & Zacker.
