Age Range: Grades 5-8
This book recently won the 2011 Pura Belpre Award. This is an amazing work of fiction based on the life of the world-known poet, Pablo Neruda. The book has many poems throughout with unique illustrations. The entire book is printed and illustrated with green tones. Pablo Neruda only wrote in green ink because it is the color of hope.
The book begins with the younger years of Neftali Reyes. He loves books and often writes down words that he likes on scrap pieces of paper that he keeps in a drawer. He lives in Chile with his family. Neftali constantly daydreams and often becomes distracted. His father works for the railroad and is very strict on the children. They all seem afraid of him and rarely see a gentle side to him. He is very intimidating and makes Neftali focus on his studies. His father does not value Neftali's talent for writing and poetry. Neftali always remains true to himself and finds time, even during the summers his family would spend at the beach, to read and write. Neftali is later sent to the university to study business. He eventually changes his name to Pablo Neruda so that his writing will no longer bring disappointment to his family. Neftali goes on to be one of the most well-known poets in the world. Metafiction is present in this book through Neftali himself. The book provokes questions and makes the reader wonder if Neftali will ever be able to escape his father and write the way he wants to be able to. It also makes the reader think of the open imaginary possibilities about what Neftali may become one day. The poems themselves within this book are playful and often form their own picture in the book. It was amazing to see a glimpse of this great poet's life through this book.
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