What Fell from the Sky

Gr 3-7–Set against the backdrop of Cold War–era paranoia, Cuevas’s latest blends historical fiction with sci-fi intrigue in a story inspired by a real-life “drill” in Lampasas, TX, where a simulated Communist takeover terrified townsfolk. This novel explores identity, race, and belonging through the eyes of Pineda, a Cuban American boy navigating his heritage in a town where conformity is the norm. Pineda, who answers to “Pete” and avoids speaking Spanish, leads readers through a world of bomb drills, fear, and a tightly controlled sense of “American” identity. His life is upended when he encounters Luisa, a humanoid alien girl stranded on Earth. Alternating between Pineda’s and Luisa’s perspectives, the story highlights how soldiers and citizens alike grapple with fear and prejudice. Luisa’s otherworldly perspective provides a fresh lens on issues like segregation and Pineda’s internal conflict over his heritage, and challenges both the protagonist and readers to confront societal norms. As Pineda and his friends band together to hide Luisa and later rescue her from capture, they learn to embrace their identities and fight back against conformity. While the overuse of period slang like “holy baloney” can be distracting, the book’s humor, action, and heartfelt themes make up for it. Adults like Shipley and Old Lady Kolachek provide wisdom and surprising support, showing that allies can come from unexpected places.