When Julian’s parents make the heartbreaking decision to send him and his two brothers away from Cuba to Miami via the Pedro Pan operation, the boys are thrust into a new world where bullies run rampant and it’s not always clear how best to protect themselves.
Enrique was nine years old when his parents decided that he and his brothers would be safer in Miami, even though they had no idea what actually awaited them there. At the airport their father smiled and handed each a box of good Cuban cigars, while their mother strained to hold back her tears. 90 Miles to Havana, his second novel describes his first hand experiences during the Cuban Revolution and his departure under Operation Pedro Pan to the refugee camps in miami. 90 Miles to Havana, received Pura Belpre Author Award from the American Library Association.
Enrique lives in New York City where he writes, paints, and then teaches others how to float. His work has received the following awards: Distinguished Educator Award from Parsons School of Design, The NYC Hispanic Arts Achievement Award, and the Cintas Fellowship for Painting.
His first YA novel, ‘Raining Sardines,’ received Honorable Mention for the Americas Award.
