School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-The author delves into a reality that is rarely portrayed in picture books-poverty in developing countries. This descriptive and candid narrative follows two young children whose lives involve sifting through garbage heaps for things to use, eat, and sell. As Pablo and Sofia unearth, and delight in, their "treasures," they categorize them into things that are useful and useless. Items and abilities that don't help them survive aren't needed. This is made abundantly clear when the bully Filthy-Face takes their haul. While the book's stark, almost colorless illustrations, rendered in heavy black pencil, lend weight to the seriousness of this subject, some hope still shines through. Thanks to quick thinking on Pablo's part, the children's biggest treasure, a gold chain, is saved. This small act reassures readers that there is some justice even in this world. This is an eye-opening story for many kids; these siblings go to work every day, get hurt, eat half-rotten food, and wish for simple things that most take for granted. Regardless of background, all readers can empathize with this pair, for even in this situation, they have their moments of playfulness and share a strong familial bond. VERDICT A truly honest and revealing look at children living in poverty; one that all school-age children will want to read and talk about.-Rachel Forbes, formerly at Oakville Public Library, Ont., Canada © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Poulin (The Biggest Poutine in the World) and Malenfant (Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress) transport readers to an unspecified Latin-American nation where siblings Sofia and Pablo spend their days combing through a mountain of trash in search of anything that might be sold to help the family make ends meet. There's no danger of their situation being sugarcoated or romanticized: Pablo is knocked to the ground in the scramble to pore over newly deposited trash, and Sofia cuts her arm retrieving a single blue boot, which Pablo immediately puts on, even though it's too big for him. Malefant uses angry scribbles of black to capture the dirty, dangerous environment; splashes of pale color highlight the siblings' mutual devotion and moments of muted hope. One such moment is Pablo's discovery of a gold chain, a treasure that is nearly stolen away by Filthy-Face, a violent man who claims the children's findings. It's a grim reminder of the harsh realities of contemporary poverty, and adult readers should be prepared to fill in details not explained within the story itself. Ages 6-9. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
In an unspecified city, impoverished siblings Pablo and Sofia are pepenadores (scavengers) who look through garbage to find recyclables and items of value. When Pablo finds a real "treasure," a gold chain, he cleverly hides it from predatory "Filthy-Face." Inherently grim but eye-opening and moving, this story about third-world poverty is complemented by its smudgy, sketchlike drawings, illuminated by a few rays of color. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Pablo and his older sister, Sophia, head to treasure mountain the landfill in their shantytown early in the morning as another truckload is being dumped on the pile. As the siblings scurry about collecting recyclable waste to give to Mama to sell at the market, Pablo overlooks the needed items and receives a scolding from Sophia. Pay attention! If you work hard today, we might have enough money for Mama to buy half a chicken for dinner. They get sweaty, dirty, tired, and hurt as the day goes on, but little surprises keep them going. Sophia unearths two old carrots for them to munch on, and soon afterward Pablo discovers a real treasure one that will bring in more money than usual. A surprising conclusion reveals Pablo's ingenuity when he figures out how to keep it from Filthy Face, the town bully who steals smaller kids' hauls. Poulin's poignant text and Malefant's evocative illustrations provide children with an eye-opening glimpse into a poverty-stricken environment not often seen in picture books, and while many kids will have questions about why children might have to dig in a landfill, Pablo's gamelike approach to the task will resonate. Heavy, expressionistic charcoal sketches emphasize the gritty atmosphere of the children's plight, while light pops of color echo the hopefulness of their treasure-hunting endeavor. A unique and fascinating story.--Lock, Anita Copyright 2016 Booklist