Raining Sardines

Imagination and creativity

The characters of Ernestina and Enriquito represent two distinctly human qualities; the wild and sometimes unruly imagination, and the need to draw meaning, create order and find solutions. There is a little of Ernestina the dreamer, and some of Enriquito the engineer, in varying proportions, dancing and drawing up lists inside us all. Everyday we face the task of trying to balance these powerful forces as we solve small problems like, how to get a ride to the beach on a hot day to the big ones, like how to keep the earth from overheating.

Ninety Miles

History of Operation Pedro Pan

The main character, Julian, presents a child’s view of the Cuban revolution and life in the overcrowded camps where children of the Pedro Pan airlift landed. Operation Pedro Pan was a little publicized State Department Operation that enabled the exodus 14,000 unaccompanied children to the U.S.

    Julian must decide how he is to deal with Caballo, the bully. Will he model his response on the events he witnessed during the Cuban revolution, or do it the new Democratic way, as Dolores the camp cook recommends?

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State of Washington Education Web Site Raining Sardines:

    Flores-Galbis entices his readers with a lyrical and vivid prose.  Issues of social justice, friendship, environmental responsibility and more are woven throughout this fast paced story that is hard to put down.  Appealing to pre and early teens, Raining Sardines is a terrific book anytime and a wonderful choice during national Caribbean heritage month.

-- School Library Journal, 5/7/2008 7:23:00 AM, Raining Sardines:

...this book is a terrific introduction to magic realism for young readers. Enriquito and Ernestina start off their day with a bang—they meet the mystical Clara, known as the Divinadora, floating on a couch off the end of a pier. Initially puzzled by the visions and words she shares with them, the two friends quickly discover that her appearance is no coincidence—they are meant to keep a bullying, rich landowner from destroying their mountain, pillaging the tombs of the ancients, and exposing the secret herd of Paso Fino ponies.

Paul Wortman, NYC public Schools, March 11, 2007, Raining Sardines:

    Enrique Flores paints a vivid world with his words in "Raining Sardines". This book is a fun, great read for "young" readers of all ages. I highly recommend it - que chévere.  

Kirkus Review of Books, 90 Miles to Havana:

    After Castro’s takeover, nine-year-old Julian and his older brothers are sent away by their fearful parents via “Operation Pedro Pan” to a camp in Miami for Cuban-exile children. Here he discovers that a ruthless bully has essentially been put in charge. Julian is quicker-witted than his brothers or anyone else ever imagined, though, and with his inherent smarts, developing maturity and the help of child and adult friends, he learns to navigate the dynamics of the camp and surroundings and grows from the former baby of the family to independence and self-confidence. A daring rescue mission at the end of the novel will have readers rooting for Julian even as it opens his family’s eyes to his courage and resourcefulness. This autobiographical novel is a well-meaning, fast-paced and often exciting read. It will introduce readers to a not-so-distant period whose echoes are still felt today and inspire admiration for young people who had to be brave despite frightening and lonely odds.(Historical fiction. 9-12)

Richie Partington, MLIS

Richie's Pick, 90 Miles to Havana:

"'To really show what a revolution is, you'd have to draw at least three pictures.  A before,...a during, and then an after...'

"Bebo picks up five brown eggs in his big hand.  'This is before,' he says and holds them up like a magician about to make them disappear...

...one of the reasons why I am so very impressed with 90 MILES TO HAVANA, an outstanding piece of historical fiction through which readers are provided a great introduction through the eyes of a child to what was happening on both sides of that 90 mile divide when, fifty years ago, General Batista was out and Fidel Castro was in charge.

...For young readers, including those with little or no knowledge of Cuba beyond a colored shape on a map, 90 MILES TO HAVANA is an exciting history, adventure, and coming-of-age story that will certainly cause them to listen up and ask questions when they next hear or read mention of that island country that is so near and yet so far away.