A multi-award winning and bestselling novel, blending science fiction and Mexican folklore to explore acceptance, resistance and the power of storytelling.
Donna Barba Higuera grew up in Central California and now
lives in the Pacific Northwest. She has spent her entire life
blending folklore with her experiences into stories that fill her
imagination. Now she weaves them to write picture books and novels.
Donna's first book, Lupe Wong Won't Dance, won a Sid Fleischman
Award for Humor and a Pura Belpré Honor.
Her second novel, The Last Cuentista, received the John Newbery
Medal and the Pura Belpré Award. It was named one of the Best Books
of the Year by the Boston Globe, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Wall
Street Journal and TIME.
Gripping in its twists and turns, and moving in its themes - truly
a beautiful cuento
*New York Times*
Clever and compelling . . . wonderfully subversive
*The Wall Street Journal*
This tale packs a wallop. Exquisite
*Kirkus Reviews*
The Last Storyteller is about the stories that create the universe,
the tales that weave us together across light-years and
generations, and courage that sings in the darkness. It's an
incredibly memorable story with a masterful twist. I absolutely
loved it!
*Sinéad O’Hart, author of The Eye of the North*
The Last Storyteller took risks as an MG sci-fi novel and I'm very
grateful it did. Some believe you must water certain themes down
for younger readers because they're unable to handle it, but, in
this case, I don't agree. At the heart of it, the book is about the
power of storytelling, human connection and family. What a
spectacular book!
*Rachel Faturoti, author of Sadé and Her Shadow Beasts*
An extraordinary, outstanding blend of science fiction, Mexican
folklore and dystopian fantasy. In turns beautiful and chilling,
always enthralling, and ultimately hopeful with a vital and timely
message of the power of memories and stories to connect us all. It
pushes the boundaries of what Middle Grade can be. Totally
unmissable and unforgettable.
*Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken Legs*
Space exploration, cryogenics, evolution, ethics, botany, folklore
and family ties, all wrapped up in a stunning adventure that tugs
at the heartstrings. Don't miss this!
*Nicola Penfold, author of Where the World Turns Wild*
A sweeping and epic vista of a novel that blends history, science,
traditional Mexican tales and philosophy, this middle-grade novel
is a tour de force for 9-12 year olds. The thought-provoking
premise will fire children's imaginations and is a perfect starting
point for book club discussions. And for English teachers, if you
need a good example of a novel first-person narrated in the present
tense, this is a compelling choice.
*The School Reading List*
I particularly enjoyed the way in which the gift of storytelling
and the ancient Mexican myths were interwoven throughout this
futuristic story.
*Just Imagine*
Higera skillfully combines science fiction, folklore, and mythology
to create a pacy middle grade novel which advanced readers from
Year 5 upwards will love. A must buy for all upper key stage 2 or
key stage 3 libraries.
*Jane Broadis, The School Librarian*
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