Publishers Weekly
★ 07/13/2020
Friends Daniela and Evelyn play while movers pack Evelyn’s family’s belongings. Narrating in Daniela’s voice, Newbery Medalist Medina (Merci Suárez Changes Gears) tells readers about Evelyn: “my mejor amiga, my número uno best friend.” The two spend almost every day together; today, their last, is no different: “Come play, Daniela,” Evelyn calls. Digital artwork by Sánchez (Raisins and Almonds) radiates warmth and specificity as the girls interact with neighbors (“We sneak past grouchy Mr. Miller’s door and wave to Mr. Soo”) and revel in their last moments in homes whose windows face one another (“Our apartments are almost twins, just like us”). Art reveals their easy transitions in and out of make-believe as they play bus with an empty box—exuberant Evelyn leans out the back, while Daniela, the driver, looks behind her with furrowed eyebrows. Soon it’s time to say goodbye; they put stickers on each other’s cheeks to seal a promise of ongoing friendship, “and then Evelyn hugs me hard.” Landing on the moment of their parting grief adds poignancy to their vibrant connection, and a final page turn offers further joy to this portrait of two girls of color and their strong, resilient friendship. Ages 5–7. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
Newbery Medalist Medina’s versatility is in evidence here, showing she’s as much in tune with the picture-book audience as she is with older readers. With lines that go at angles and splashes of bold colors and patterns, Sánchez’s artwork is as lively and full of movement as the two girls. Layered applications of color create texture, and the interiors of their apartments are cozily beckoning. A tender story of friendship and change.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Digital artwork by Sánchez (Raisins and Almonds) radiates warmth and specificity as the girls interact with neighbors (“We sneak past grouchy Mr. Miller’s door and wave to Mr. Soo”) and revel in their last moments in homes whose windows face one another...Landing on the moment of their parting grief adds poignancy to their vibrant connection, and a final page turn offers further joy to this portrait of two girls of color and their strong, resilient friendship.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Daniela’s first-person, present-tense narration balances action and introspection, while in the illustrations the small, expressive figures of the two girls seem barely able to contain the deeply felt emotions, familiar to many children, that accompany loss and change. Sánchez’s illustrations layer colorful patterns and textures with filigreed lines and corrugated cardboard collage; bright yellow beech leaves litter the girls’ urban neighborhood, suggesting a season of transition. The final image of an older Daniela, seated on the floor of her room surrounded by letters from Evelyn, assures readers that, no matter what, you never forget your first “mejor amiga.”
—The Horn Book (starred review)
Newbery Medalist Meg Medina writes in the earnest and playful voice of a child, using uncomplicated words and a tone that’s equal parts solemn and hopeful. Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away affirms feelings of sadness but provides assurance that true friendship—the kind built on sharing glittery stickers—endures.
—BookPage (starred review)
Sanchez’ digital art has a colored pencil and mixed media flair, and she’s particularly gifted in conveying human dynamics through poses as the brown-skinned girls sprawl on the floor or dart through the building together hand in hand. While a final scene shows a grown Daniela smiling over a box of Evelyn memorabilia, that’s by no means papering over the sadness of the parting, with both girls obviously and understandably griefstricken. It’s that honesty that makes this book truly useful: while life goes on when friends separate, adults as well as kids benefit from recognition that friends are essential and that it’s valid to mourn the departure of your “numero uno best friend.”
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
This story of the girls' last day together is a heartbreaker, but seeing the two girls squeeze every last moment of joy from that day of grief is a reminder that the simple and powerful bond of friendship is worth the heartache of separation.
—NPR
Medina approaches the difficulty of best friends separated by a move from the perspective of the child left behind...Vivid colors keep the overall tone upbeat, and a final illustration depicts an older Daniela enjoying letters from her friend. Realistic and quietly satisfying.
—Booklist
Sánchez’s illustrations give life to the world these two best friends live in, while also revealing details about the move. The raw emotions that Daniela and Evelyn experience come through in the drawings. Medina and Sánchez have created a winning emotional story about two best friends who will always be best friends, regardless of all kinds of upheaval.
—School Library Journal
In Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away, Newbery medalist Meg Medina and award-winning illustrator Sonia Sánchez poignantly capture the beauty of those precious first friendships.
—Entertainment Weekly
School Library Journal
07/01/2020
K-Gr 4—Daniela goes over to her friend Evelyn's apartment to play just as they do every day, because she is her "mejor amiga." They play games, just like always, and laugh, just like always; but the more Daniela talks about their games, the more she alludes to the fact that Evelyn is moving. When Evelyn and Daniela say goodbye, they learn about how to remain friends, even if moving hurts right now. Medina has created a wonderfully true tale of the happiness that best friends share and the complicated emotions that are faced when that best friend must move away. The story is simple and easy to understand, even for nonspeakers of Spanish, as both illustrations and context help with translation. Sánchez's illustrations give life to the world these two best friends live in, while also revealing details about the move. The raw emotions that Daniela and Evelyn experience come through in the drawings. VERDICT Medina and Sánchez have created a winning emotional story about two best friends who will always be best friends, regardless of all kinds of upheaval.—Margaret Kennelly, iSchool at Urbana-Champaign
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2020-06-16
Daniela’s “número uno best friend,” Evelyn Del Rey, is moving away. But today, for one last time, they’ll play. Just like they always do.
Daniela and Evelyn are two Latinx girls who live across the street from each other in apartments that are almost identical. One has a bedroom with “sunny yellow” walls and lives with both her parents and a cat; the other has a bedroom with “cotton candy” pink walls and lives with her mother and a hamster. But they “are mostly the same, just like [their] apartments. But not after today.” As the grown-ups pack and the moving truck is loaded, the girls enjoy one last day together. When the time comes to say goodbye, plans are made and big hugs are given. The ending hints at a friendship that lasts into future years, but the beauty of the book lies in the sheer pleasure and exhilaration exhibited by the girls as they enjoy the present moment. Newbery Medalist Medina’s versatility is in evidence here, showing she’s as much in tune with the picture-book audience as she is with older readers. With lines that go at angles and splashes of bold colors and patterns, Sánchez’s artwork is as lively and full of movement as the two girls.Layered applications of color create texture, and the interiors of their apartments are cozily beckoning. Evelyn is depicted with brown skin and locs, and Daniela with pale skin and two puffy pigtails.
A tender story of friendship and change. (Picture book. 4-7)
