The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
A world without story is lost.
| A stunning and richly symbolic cover sets the stage for a Latinx sci-fi saga written for middle-grade. It's a daunting task, but Higuera pulls it off, sending readers on a heroic journey of mythic proportions. When earth is destined for destruction, Petra and her younger brother Javier are selected to join an elite group that will travel through space, bound for the planet Sagan. Organizers hope to establish a thriving intergalactic colony. It will take 380 years to reach Sagan, so travelers are placed in individual hibernation pods for the journey. On waking, Petra discovers that a group known as the Collective has assumed control of the spaceship. Adults have been eliminated and the minds of younger passengers are being reprogrammed. This carefully cultivated society will have no knowledge of the past. Petra is determined to resist mind control. She clings to the stories told by her grandmother and shares tales of heritage and culture to a few of the ship’s young travelers, hoping to reawaken their knowledge of the past. |  |
Outwitting the Collective becomes increasingly dangerous. Petra’s plan to escape, taking a few individuals with her to a nearby planet, is a high stakes gamble. She must keep her objective a secret until her group is safely beyond the reach of those who seek to destroy her and her knowledge of the past. Several shocking plot twists and tension-filled scenes will keep readers rapidly turning pages.
Those familiar with children’s literature will be pleased to note the homage to several contemporary classics: Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin. Authors Douglas Adams and R. L. Stine are also mentioned.
Books became our language. Books became our home. Books became our lives.
The Last Cuentista is a tribute to the enduring power of stories. The saga combines Latinx folklore and culture with travel through time and space. Higuera has created an intriguing genre for young readers: Latinx Space Opera.
Never be ashamed of where you come from, or the stories your ancesters bring to you. Make them your own.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 12, 2021 Publisher: Levine Querido ISBN: 978-1646140893
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