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K-Gr 3—When Ms. Obi asks her students to draw a picture of the country they are originally from, the children are excited. All except for Lola, "What if you left before you could start remembering?" As Lola talks to some of her neighbors from the Island to draw from their memories, she learns of bats as big as blankets; a love of music and dancing; coconut water and sweet mangoes. And an island where "Even the people are like a rainbow—every shade ever made." With a place so beautiful, Lola wonders, why did people le...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Lola's school, in an unnamed U.S. city, is full of immigrants like her. For homework one day, Ms. Obi tasks her young students with drawing "a picture of the country you are originally from." Lola has a problem: because she left "the Island" when she was a baby, she doesn't remember it. Fortunately, she can tap the memories of her family members and neighbors, all eager to help...except for elderly building superintendent Mr. Mir ("Nobody cares about that old stuff...Just be glad that you live here"). When Mr....Log In or Sign Up to Read More