Island Creatures
Written by Margarita Engle
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Every day, Vida reads to the creatures at the wildlife rescue center and dreams of her childhood in Cuba, where she and her best friend Adán adventured through the island rescuing animals from harm. Unbeknownst to her, Adán has also moved to Florida and is feeling trapped in his new home, buffeted by the stormy fights between his abuelo and papi. When a chance encounter with a captive fox leads to their reunion, Vida and Adán are able to find refuge from the cruelty that surrounds them in their soaring, rekindled romance.
Their love reaches new heights as they work together at the zoo that rescues rare species, but soon they realize that this peace is only temporary. Much like the wildlife they want to protect, Vida and Adán are caught in a cycle of distrust and heartlessness. As old family grudges and painful memories come to light, can they and their families learn to heal and forgive each other for a brighter, kinder future?
Look for the Spanish version, Criaturas Isleñas.
Primary ISBN: 9781665959957
Publication Date: July 2025
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Young Adult, Age 12 or older
Community Represented: Cuban/Cuban American
Themes: Activism, Animals, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Discrimination: Gender and Sexual, Family Relationship: Grandparents, Family Relationship: Parents, Format: Novel In Verse, Generational Differences, Genre: Romance, Multilingual: Spanish Featured Words, Natural Disaster/Climate Change, Outdoor Exploration, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Setting: Home Country, STEM, Trauma & Healing, Trauma & Healing: Death of Family or Friend, Trauma & Healing: Intergenerational, Trauma & Healing: Sexual Assault
Setting: Cuba (Guamuhaya Mountains), United States (Florida)
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Immigrant, Home Country
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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Source: Simon & Schuster