66 pages 2 hours read

Donna Barba Higuera

The Last Cuentista

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2021

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera follows 12-year-old Petra Peña, who embarks on a 380-year space journey to the planet Sagan with her family as Earth faces destruction from Halley's Comet. Awakening from stasis, Petra discovers that the Collective has taken over, erasing individuality and creativity. With her storytelling heritage, she resists their control and attempts to save her fellow Earthlings by fleeing to a new colony on Sagan. The novel addresses themes of individuality, memory, and cultural preservation.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Donna Barba Higuera’s The Last Cuentista captivates readers with its unique fusion of science fiction and Mexican folklore. Praised for its rich storytelling and emotional depth, the novel successfully balances adventure with poignant themes of memory and identity. Some critiques highlight occasional pacing issues, but overall, it’s a compelling read for both young adults and older audiences.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Last Cuentista?

A reader who would enjoy The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera typically appreciates dystopian science fiction with strong cultural elements. Fans of Lois Lowry's The Giver and Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time will find the novel's mix of imaginative world-building and deep human themes particularly engaging.

RecommendedReading Age

10-14years

Book Details

Genre

Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Fantasy

Children's Literature

Themes

Relationships: Family

Life/Time: The Future

Society: Community

Topics

Diversity