Different A story of the Spanish Civil War

In alternating chapters inspired by reminiscences of the author's father and aunt, two children describe their experiences living in a climate of suspicion after their "Rojo" (Republican) father is forced to flee the Franco regime in the wake of the Spanish Civil War. Nine-year-old Paco, always hungry, dreams of stealing a classmate's lunch and lies when questioned by a new teacher of the ruling Falangist Party about his father's occupation. Meanwhile, his little sister, Socorro, angrily defies the repressive nuns at her school while recalling other women in her life, like her bookish grandmother, and also learning about liberator Simón Bolívar. Eight years later, the children and their mother leave for Venezuela--Socorro describing the long journey, Paco the relief that being different "stopped being something dangerous for us." The publisher has appended context-filling accounts of the war's course and what became of its refugees to go with an excellent resource list. Atmospheric vignettes and wordless full-spread scenes in colored pencil capture both vivid personalities and details of the historical settings.

Gr 4--6--In alternating first-person sections, siblings Paco and Socorro render the homefront events and touchstone moments of the Spanish Civil War. Their father is a Republican who has fled Spain, and both children are aware of the politics and the impact on their family; Socorro sings the propaganda songs of the Falange party to convince her mother to take her out of one school, and in another, Paco lies to his French teacher about his papa's work. Paco is always famished and burdened by his new role as man of the family, and Socorro is never hungry, in deep grief over what her family and the world is facing. Eight years later, the family joins their father in Venezuela and begins a new life. Luminous illustrations make wartime events appear like well-choreographed ballet, in soft colors, with iridescent linework creating domestic tableaux. Fully one-third of the book is given over to the publisher's note, end notes, glossary, and further reading; young readers will need to acquaint themselves with the details of the Spanish Civil War before entering the fictions of this tale. While compelling and poetically told, the work exists as two sections: the plight of the siblings, where readers don't know much more than the children do, and the daunting historical back matter. VERDICT This solid, well-rounded work on an important era in Spain's history will need some book-talking, but it admirably invites readers into an ordinary household to show the how small and large events take a toll on the lives of children.--Kimberly Olson Fakih

In alternating chapters, siblings Paco and Socorro narrate their eight-year journey from the Spanish Civil War's terrors to freedom in Venezuela. Translated from Spanish, child's-eye perspectives on daily life are overshadowed by danger: The children's father, a "Rojo" who sides with the Republic against Francisco Franco's rebels, has fled for his life to France, forcing the family into an impoverished, secretive existence. Paco, 9, exchanges child's play for sudden status as "man of the house." Constantly hungry (as the wife of a Rojo, his mother isn't allowed a ration book), he fantasizes about stealing a classmate's mouthwatering lunch. Socorro, 7, who manifests stress through food aversion, calmly provides day-to-day details that belie the brutality of life as the uprising births the fascist regime. As World War II concludes, Paco's hopes of Franco being overthrown wane. Montañés beautifully conveys time's passage through Paco's sad stoicism. His father manages just five letters in eight years, but the fifth, from Venezuela, announces that he has a job and has obtained emigration papers for the family. The long journey culminates in a new life for the now teenagers, who marvel at having ample food and constant electricity. Though their accents reveal their refugee status, "being different had stopped being something dangerous" at last. Gómez's accomplished, somber-toned illustrations inject occasional levity, capturing Socorro's clever scheme to change schools and exaggerating Paco's imagined sandwich theft. The well-crafted narrative, nuanced art, and appended historical context combine for a salient, important work. (publisher's note, historical overview, glossary, resources) (Historical fiction. 9-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.