Oriol nació en Cuba, pero vive en Santa Bárbara, California, donde no logra encontrar su sitio. Sin embargo, pasa muchos buenos momentos cuando ayuda a sus padres en la clínica veterinaria de la familia, donde cuidan animales heridos.

La primera ganadora latinoamericana de un Premio Nobel de Literatura, la poeta Gabriela Mistral, se muda entonces a Santa Bárbara, y Oriol se descubre confesándole que aspira a ser escritora. Cuando la jovencita descubra que alguien está amenazando la vida de un pequeño elefante en la clínica de sus padres, decide tomar acción para protegerlo. Necesitará poesía, coraje y fortaleza para hacer lo que cree correcto.

Una historia escrita con una profunda belleza lírica, que ilumina el poder de la amistad entre generaciones, entre humanos y animales, así como el poder de la poesía para inspirar acción, justicia y aceptación.

ENGLISH DESCRIPTION

A powerful novel in verse from Newbery and Pura Belpré Award-winning author, Margarita Engle, about the friendship between a young girl and the poet Gabriela Mistral that leads to healing and hope for both of them.

Cuban-born eleven-year-old Oriol lives in Santa Barbara, California, where she struggles to belong. But most of the time that's okay, because she enjoys helping her parents care for the many injured animals at their veterinary clinic.

Then Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American winner of a Nobel Prize in Literature, moves to town, and aspiring writer Oriol finds herself opening up. When she discovers that someone is threatening the life of a baby elephant at her parents' clinic, Oriol is determined to take action. As she begins to create a world of words for herself, Oriol learns it will take courage and strength to do what she thinks is right--even if it means keeping secrets from those she loves.

A beautifully written, lyrically-told story about the power of friendship--between generations, between humans and animals--and the potential of poetry to inspire action, justice, and acceptance.