Wild Dreamers
-
- $9.99
Publisher Description
Longlisted for the National Book Award
A Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Honor Book
In this stirring young adult novel-in-verse from award-winning author Margarita Engle, love and conservation intertwine as two teens go on a “transformative journey celebrating the power of overcoming personal struggles to make a lasting impact” (Kirkus Reviews).
Ana and her mother have been living out of their car ever since her militant father became one of the FBI’s most wanted. Leandro has struggled with debilitating anxiety since his family fled Cuba on a perilous raft.
One moonlit night, in a wilderness park in California, Ana and Leandro meet. Their connection is instant—a shared radiance that feels both scientific and magical. Then they discover they are not alone: a huge mountain lion stalks through the trees, one of many wild animals whose habitat has been threatened by humans.
Determined to make a difference, Ana and Leandro start a rewilding club at their school, working with scientists to build wildlife crossings that can help mountain lions find one another. If pumas can find their way to a better tomorrow, surely Ana and Leandro can too.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
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.
