Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tween rescues refugees in moving magical realism tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Between the awful country of Abismo (the abyss) and MAÑANALAND, the magic-tinged destination of desperate people fleeing Abismo's atrocities, lies the peaceful village of Santa Maria. For generations, its now-ruined tower, La Reina Gigante, has been a temporary haven for the "hidden ones" in their long trek and become the subject of many legends. And as summer begins in Santa Maria, Maximiliano Cordoba, almost 12, discovers he's heir to a number of family traditions, one of which, he knows, is playing soccer -- his dad and grandfather were both pros. Another, he learns, is helping the "hidden ones" get to safety. His mother vanished when he was a baby, being a "hidden one" herself. Now, with his father and grandfather both out of town, the call comes to get someone new to the next safe place. Will Max be up to the challenge?
Is It Any Good?
Magical realism meets the stark experience of refugees around the world in Pam Muñoz Ryan's heart-filled story of 11-year-old Max's courage, kindness, and quick thinking. Under the protective wings of a peregrine falcon, he steps up in a moment of need to guide an abused child to safety in Mañanaland, which is the destination of generations of people fleeing atrocities in a neighboring country. It's a life-changing hero's journey, passing through many situations that resonate strongly with some ugly things happening in our world -- and also the beautiful ones.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about about the lives refugees described in Mañanaland. What can go so wrong in people's lives that they feel they have no choice but to flee? Why do you think this is a popular theme in storytelling? What could cause you to have to flee your home and look for a new one elsewhere?
Much of Mañanaland deals with following family traditions. Does your family have any traditions you like? Are there some that you wish would go away?
Do you like soccer? Do you like to play, or just watch and cheer your team?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic
- Publication date : March 3, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 256
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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