Seven Pablos

Gr 1–5—Readers are transported throughout North and South America to meet seven boys named Pablo. The Pablo in Chile fiercely loves his father, an exhausted mine worker. In Mexico, there are two Pablos, one who escaped Argentina's military dictatorship, and another who rides a train to cross the U.S. border. In the Ecuadorian jungle, Pablo lives with his mother, picking fruit for a living. In New York City, Pablo, the son of immigrants from Guyana, struggles with feelings of powerlessness. In a small rural Peruvian village, Pablo dreams about what might have been if his hero had become the president. And in Rio de Janeiro, Pablo ekes out a living picking through garbage, even though he'd rather go to school. "There are many Pablos in the world." Their lives may be different, but in their hopes and dreams there are many similarities. Originally written in Spanish, this ode to the universalities of children uses a simple, yet emotionally impactful third-person narrative to explore themes of immigration, poverty, education, hope, and survival. Readers get just a glimpse of each Pablo, yet the precise focus of each snapshot allows for an insightful look into the individual. Specific details—a mother's wedding ring worn on as a necklace, an orange given as a gift—distinguish and illuminate each boy. The illustrations, created with color and graphite pencil, dominate the pages, filling the thick, creamy paper with rich textures and thick, sketchy lines. The tall trim size allows for expansive illustrations, although occasionally, some elements are unfortunately swallowed by the gutter.