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2026 Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Honor Book

2026 Sibert Honor Book

“A stirring story about the power of familial bonds and historical recollection in the face of grief, fear, and hopelessness.”

—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“A beautiful, timely reminder that hope is never out of reach.”

—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Silenced Voices: Reclaiming Memories from the Guatemalan Genocide

Written by Pablo Leon
Illustrated by Pablo Leon
Published by HarperAlley

Langley Park, Maryland, 2013

Brothers Jose and Charlie know very little about their mother’s life in Guatemala, until Jose grows curious about the ongoing genocide trial of Efrain Rios Montt. At first his mother, Clara, shuts his questions down. But as the trial progresses, she begins to open up to her sons about a time in her life that she’s left buried for years.

Petén, Guatemala, 1982

Sisters Clara and Elena hear about the armed conflict every day, but the violence somehow seems far away from their small village. But the day the fight comes to their doorstep, the sisters are separated and are forced to flee through the mountains, leaving them to wonder…Have their paths diverged forever

Pablo Leon combines historical research of the Guatemalan Civil War with his own personal experiences as a Guatemalan immigrant to depict a deeply powerful, intergenerational story of family, sacrifice, survival, and hope.

Primary ISBN: 9780063223561
Publication Date: September 2025
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Young Adult, Age 14 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (Maryland), Guatemala (Petén)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Refugee, 1st Generation, Home Country

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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