‘Gaby, Lost and Found’ by Angela Cervantes explores some tough themes. As though the illegal immigration and forced deportation of her mother, along with her semi-absent father, isn’t enough, Gaby is forced to deal with a couple of school bullies and the gnawing feeling that since she has been left basically alone, she cannot bear to let anyone else – person or animal – feel the same. Gaby’s love of animals takes up the vast majority of the book, as she volunteers with her classmates at an animal shelter, penning notes to help promote the adoption of each furry friend.

Gaby is met with resistance at parts, as she tries to save one particular cat’s life rather than see it get returned to uncaring owners, as well as when she tries to make sense of where her mother is and why she’s there, and no one is able to make her feel better about the situation. She realizes that she has unfortunately found herself unsure of where or to whom to turn as her mother fights to find a way to return to the United States from Honduras.

The only “family” Gaby has outside of her mother and father come in the form of her best friend, Alma, and Alma’s family. There is a support system at work in Gaby’s community, but Alma is truly her best friend, standing up for and by Gaby at most every turn.

In ‘Gaby, Lost and Found,’ Angela Cervantes sheds light on some topics that often don’t get too much press, at least not in the form of fiction books. The writing is young, but the book is written for young people, as it appeals to fourth to seventh graders, so it works well. Young readers who check out this book will be able to see strength, courage, uncertainty, kindness, and truth, among other personality traits, in the characters of the book. Since these are traits that all kids (and adults, for that matter) know well, they will find a stronger connection with the storyline as a result.

You can find ‘Gaby, Lost and Found’ by Angela Cervantes here.

*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*