The Verse Novel Shelf
Cover of Land of the Cranes

At a glance

Published
2020
Publisher
Scholastic Press
Subgenre
Contemporary
Words
22,678
Section
Middle Grade

Land of the Cranes

Aida Salazar

Fourth grader Betita loves making picture poems. Her life in Los Angeles falls apart when ICE detains her father, and she and her pregnant mother end up in a family detention center.

  • NCTE Notable Verse Novel 2021
  • Américas Award 2021
  • Charlotte Huck Honor 2021
  • Jane Addams Children's Book Honor 2021
  • ALSC Notable Children's Book 2021
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Themes

FamilyImmigration & refugeesAddiction & incarcerationPoetry & writing

Mood

Feels sad, challenging, hopeful.

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