About the Author

CHRISTINA DIAZ GONZALEZ is the award-winning author of several books, including The Red Umbrella, A Thunderous Whisper, Moving Target, Return Fire, Concealed, and Invisible. Her books have received numerous honors, including the American Library Association's Best Fiction for Young Adults, the Florida Book Award, the Nebraska Book Award, and the International Latino Book Award. Christina currently lives in Miami, Florida, with her husband, sons, and a dog that can open doors.

Reviews

** Gold Medal Winner, International Latino Book Awards **

★ "Heartbreaking, riveting, beautifully written." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "A heartrending exploration of friendship, family, and freedom set against volatile times." —School Library Journal, starred review

"Brimming with tumultuous events of Castro’s Cuba, Gonzales’s… novel balances historical traumas with empathy and hope, tackling timely themes of personal beliefs and individual versus government freedoms." —Publishers Weekly

"Danger, betrayal, and heartbreak.... This poignant story captures themes that remain timely and resonant today." —Booklist

"A bittersweet ending."—The Bulletin

"Heartbreaking yet hopeful. This book has so many things I love: real history, impossible decisions, surprising twists and turns. Read it!" —Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee
 
“The Bluest Sky tells a powerful story that shows the emotional impact of the Mariel Boatlift, one of the most important events in modern Cuban history.” —Margarita Engle, Newbery Honor winner for The Surrender Tree
 
“In this beautifully nuanced story, Christina Diaz Gonzalez brings us into the hearts of all Cubans torn between the love of their homeland and the dream of freedom.” —Ruth Behar, Pura Belpré Award winner for Lucky Broken Girl
 
“Powerful, extraordinary, and brimming with hope, this is an absolute must-read for everyone.” —Jenny Torres Sanchez, Pura Belpré Honor winner for We Are Not From Here

“A heart-wrenching story and a moving affirmation that families belong together, always.” —Emma Otheguy, acclaimed author of Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene
 
“The characters in this book will stay with me for a very long time. Their desire for freedom will stay with me forever.” —Jennifer A. Nielsen, New York Times bestselling author of A Night Divided