A Pura Belpre Award-Winning Author
In 1492, during the Spanish Inquisition, Benvenida and her family are banished from Spain for being Jewish, eventually settling in Istanbul. Over four centuries later, in 1923, Reina's father disowns her for a small act of disobedience. He ships her away to live with an aunt in Cuba. In 1961, Reina's daughter, Alegra, is proud to be a brigadista, teaching literacy in the countryside for Fidel Castro. But soon Castro's crackdowns force her to flee to Miami. Finally, in 2003, Alegra's daughter, Paloma, is fascinated by all the journeys that had to happen before she could be born. She's thrilled by the opportunity to learn more about her heritage on a trip to Spain, where she makes a momentous discovery.