The Long Road

John Walker is a professor of Spanish studies at Queen’s University.

Luis Garay, who came to Canada from Nicaragua, has already attracted
attention for his finely textured illustrations in A Handful of Seeds
and Jade and Iron. In The Long Road, the Toronto-based writer uses his
own experiences and knowledge of Central American life and politics to
narrate the story of a boy’s journey.

José, long accustomed to suffering hardships stemming from a civil war
that has plague Central America (no specific country is named), is
forced to seek refuge in the north with his mother and other members of
his family. Life in his new (unnamed) country is difficult for José,
who is obliged to learn English in order to survive in refugee hostels
and with the help of food banks. Eventually, José and his family find a
place to live. Now the interpreter for his family, José adapts to his
new home and school, enjoying new experiences like making snowmen with
his new friends.

This simple story of triumph over adversity is enhanced by Garay’s
beautiful paintings, which capture the spirit of two continents and two
different ways of life. Recommended.