  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 08/01/2019 After Sofi wanders into an urban community garden, she is magically whisked away to San Pedro de Macorís, where she meets a young musician. Together, they fly across the Artibonite River, and Sofi helps a Haitian sculptor put the finishing touches on a metal lizard piece. When she abruptly returns to her neighborhood, Sofi feels empowered. Back matter reveals that the musician is based on Dominican megastar Juan Luis Guerra, and the sculptor is Guerlande Balan, a well-known Haitian metal artisan. Scene transitions may confuse readers, and awkward perspectives and facial expressions detract from the reading experience. Still, vibrant art and vivid settings bolster the magic realism. The tale gains authenticity through racial diversity and a superb Spanish translation in this celebration of the wonderful cultural contributions of Caribbean residents. - Copyright 2019 Booklist. Loading...
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