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Island Creatures

8 July, 2025

Cover of book Island Creatures centers two young people. On the left is a young woman with brown wavy hair and light brown skin. On the right is a young man with an afro and slightly darker skin. They are surrounded by foliage of different colors. There is a sun in the background high in the sky above two palm trees.Island Creatures by Margarita Engle
Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Every day, Vida reads to the creatures at the wildlife rescue center and dreams of her childhood in Cuba, where she and her best friend Adán adventured through the island rescuing animals from harm. Unbeknownst to her, Adán has also moved to Florida and is feeling trapped in his new home, buffeted by the stormy fights between his abuelo and papi. When a chance encounter with a captive fox leads to their reunion, Vida and Adán are able to find refuge from the cruelty that surrounds them in their soaring, rekindled romance.

Their love reaches new heights as they work together at the zoo that rescues rare species, but soon they realize that this peace is only temporary. Much like the wildlife they want to protect, Vida and Adán are caught in a cycle of distrust and heartlessness. As old family grudges and painful memories come to light, can they and their families learn to heal and forgive each other for a brighter, kinder future?

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