• Age: 10 to 13
• Grade: 5 to 8

With their father gone to America to make money for his family, Libertad, his little brother Julio and their mother scrape a living out of a dump in Guatemala City. Although it is too late for him, Libertad is determined that his little brother should go to school. Taught to play the marimba by his father, Libertad uses his talent as a street musician to raise enough money for his brother's school supplies. But his dreams for their future are destroyed when their mother is killed in a freak accident. Libertad must face the inevitable truth; they cannot survive on the streets of Guatemala City alone. There is only one thing to do. They must set out on the long and lonely journey to the Rio Grande River, where they plan to cross the water and enter the United States to find their father.

A moving story about determination and hope, Libertad is a stunning free verse novel by the author of In the Garage and Walking on Glass.

Alma Fullerton is an award winning author- author/illustrator. She lives in NorthLake PEI with her husband, and dog. Born in Ontario Canada, she grew up in a large military family and has lived in in Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Germany. Alma struggled with reading and memorized most things until the age of nine when, with the help of her grade four teacher, she realized she had dyslexia. By grade nine Alma loved reading. Besides writing and illustrating Alma now works in schools as an educational assistant who helps children with learning disabilities figure out the best way for them to learn.

Her books have been nominated and/or have won awards including the Governor General Finalist 2008, TD Canadian Children's Literature Award finalist 2009 & 2011 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award winner 2009, CLA Children's Book of the Year Honor Book 2009, 2011 Golden Oak Award winner 2009, Once Upon a World Children's Book Award Winner - 2009, Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award shortlist - 2010, SilverBirch Award shortlist -2010, 2014, Silver Birch Express 2023, Blue Spruce Award 2014 & 2016, 2022, Kentucky BlueGrass Award 2015 and the 2016 Marilyn Baillie picture book award.

Alma Fullerton's profile page

"Young people of all ages will be intrigued and affected emotionally by this exceptional story."
— Winnipeg Free Press

"Fullerton weaves strands of beauty. . . It doesn't take long to read, but it packs an emotional punch.
Highly recommended."
— CM Magazine

"Alma Fullerton creates two characters who wend their way into the reader's heart with a story that will have even the most reluctant reader forging forward with them to a better future."
— The Brandon Sun

"The suspense is real and though readers may question some of the choices Libertad makes along the way, they will celebrate his perseverance and ultimate success. With realistic detail and well-paced suspense, this survival story is a good choice for reluctant readers."
— The School Library Journal

"The spare free verse is uneven but still packed with heartrending images of desperation and squalid poverty that will be eye-opening to young readers. Libertad's fierce love for his brother is deeply moving and based on the story of a real boy's journey combined with other children's actual experiences. Although there are some contrivances and loose ends, this short yet evocative tale will attract readers."
— Booklist

"Fullerton does not underestimate the dangers faced by her fictional characters: although occasionally helped out by a few generous souls, the boys elude predators of various kinds, narrowly escape permanent membership in the street gang in Mexico City, and nearly drown in the Rio Grande. The details of their ordeal are clear and precise, and it is obvious that the book has been a labour of love. It is a well-told adventure story, but it is also a record of injustice overcome and a lament."
— Canadian Literature

"This novel in verse is a heart-wrenching, emotional look at two brothers and their dog, and their quest to reach their father. Their naivety is evident, and the poverty, even seen through the eyes of the young boys is immense and overwhelming. Despite the blight of the main characters, however, this is a story of hope. . . All Middle School libraries should have novels like this as part of their collections. Fans of Deborah Ellis will enjoy this novel, and even students who are wary of novels in verse will find this read enthralling.
Rating: Excellent."
— Resource Links

Libertad

Libertad, a finalist for the 2008 Governor General’s Literary Award for Children’s Literature, involves the reader in the intense journey of two young brothers who strive to find a better life.

Written in free verse, the story is told by Libertad, the eldest of the brothers. They live and work with their mother in appalling circumstances in a dump in Guatemala City. Their father lives in the United States. Just as Libertad manages to get his brother, Julio, signed up for school, tragedy strikes. Libertad describes the horror of his mother being bulldozed into a garbage pile. Her body is not recovered. The boys’ quest to find their father begins.

The route from Guatemala to the United States is fraught with danger. The boys face a lot of nasty challenges, but the love they have for each other doesn’t waver. The help they receive from some strangers is heartening.

Author Alma Fullerton explains at the back of the book that this is a fictional story based on actual experiences and situations. It may open discussion of homelessness, children’s rights, immigration, and what can be done to help children in similar circumstances around the world.

Using verse to tell the story works. A lot is said in fewer words than in a standard novel. The poignancy of the situations and emotions are well expressed, perhaps making this novel best suited to more mature readers.

Because Fullerton chose to tell her story in verse, it gives an opportunity to explore alternative methods of storytelling. Verse and poetry are often thought of as difficult mediums. Libertad shows that it can be very accessible and effective.

Libertad

After their mother’s tragic death, Libertad and his little brother leave their home near the Guatemala City Dump to head out on a long and dangerous journey to cross the border to the United States and find their father.