Publisher's Synopsis
In the pueblo of Palenque in Colombia, hardly anybody knows how to read. Curious about the letters her older sister Gina receives from a young doctor each month ― letters that she is sure contain promises of love ― one young girl makes a decision that will change her life, and the lives of every child in the pueblo, forever.
With the help of Señor Velandia, the owner of the village shop, she will slowly unlock the letters of the alphabet and discover the magic of reading. And soon she will make a discovery that is more miraculous still ― that letters are literally all around her....
“Based on stories told to the author by many Colombian women, this tenderly matter-of-fact tale, translated from Spanish, celebrates the freedom to read in an area where it was once forbidden by colonizers; an author’s note offers context about the descendants of enslaved Africans in the Americas. Vasco’s narrative reminds readers that even in the face of lost connections, the joy of reading can light the way to a brighter future.” - Kirkus Reviews
