What Fell from the Sky

One Texas fifth grader is forever changed when the U.S. military stages a mock invasion of the tween’s fictional town of Soledad in this 1950s-set sci-fi adventure based on real historical events. Cuban American Pineda Matlage is baffled by the slew of soldiers that have descended upon his town. His parents say they’re training in case “an American town was taken over by Communist forces.” While going about his routine chores on his family’s farm, however, Pineda unknowingly uncovers the real reason for the invasion upon discovering Luisa, a blue-gray humanoid extraterrestrial with telekinetic powers, hiding in the barn. Luisa informs him that she has been separated from her parents, who were captured by soldiers. Now Pineda must rally the town to help rescue Luisa’s parents so they can safely return home. Via alternating first-person POVs from Pineda, Luisa, and more, Cuevas (The No-Brainer’s Guide to Decomposition) clearly juxtaposes real-life happenings with the protagonist’s science fiction adventures, paralleling the marginalization of past and present Latinx American citizens with Luisa’s plight as a visitor from outer space. With a healthy suspension of disbelief, Cuevas delivers a timely message about the importance of standing against discrimination. Ages 8–12. (Feb.)