The Color of My Words

Américas Award Winner

“An achingly beautiful story.”—Kirkus (starred review) “Eloquent.”—Booklist (starred review) “Lovely and lyrical.”—School Library Journal

This powerful and resonant Américas Award-winning novel tells the story of a young girl’s struggle to find her place in the world and to become a writer in a country where words are feared.

Seamlessly interweaving both poetry and prose, Lynn Joseph’s acclaimed debut is a lush and lyrical journey into a landscape and culture of the Dominican Republic.

The Color of My Words explores the pain and poetry of discovering what it means to be part of a family, what it takes to find your voice and the means for it to be heard, and how it feels to write it all down.

But in a world where speaking out is dangerous, can a young writer’s voice be powerful enough to save her family?

• The Power of Words: Ana Rosa discovers that poetry and stories are her most important tools in a country where the government fears the truth.
• An Unforgettable Dominican Setting: A journey to a vibrant village in the Dominican Republic, where family is everything and the fight for home is a matter of life and death.
• Lyrical Prose and Poetry: A unique narrative that weaves beautiful poetry into a powerful, heart-wrenching story, perfect for young readers who love language.
• A Story of Social Justice: A moving and important look at what happens when a community must stand up to injustice to protect their homes and their way of life.