NO PLACE ON EARTH

The landscape of dreams sparks friendship between two boys, one living with anxiety and the other with depression.

Eleven-year-old Gustavo dreads his upcoming move from Puerto Rico to Yellowstone, thanks to his Ma’s new job at the national park: “Any rational human being would be scared to live in a forest full of wild animals!” His uber-realistic nightmares don’t alleviate his anxiety. But Pa, who’s staying behind (it’s a trial separation for Gustavo’s parents), believes that Yellowstone will help his son become a Machustavo—a macho Gustavo. Gustavo’s new life proves nerve-wracking at first. A mysterious boy starts appearing in his dreams; on the way to school one day, Gustavo realizes that “the only Black kid on the whole bus” is his dreamscape visitor in the flesh. A tentative friendship blossoms between Gustavo and the boy, who’s named Kordell. Gustavo is stunned by Kordell’s frankness about his depression and his parents’ divorce. As Gustavo tries to adjust to being away from his home island and everyone there, Kordell helps him take control of his dreams, bringing the dreamers together in unexpected ways. Centered on Gustavo’s burgeoning self-reflection and biting self-awareness, Arango’s latest explores boyhood with compassion. In a particularly inspired move, chapters in verse denoting scenes in the boys’ dreamscapes vividly contrast with the prose of the rest of the work. This nuanced look at mental health challenges and the bittersweet exhilaration of being vulnerable packs emotional wallops in spades.

Profoundly, sincerely heartfelt.