A few years ago, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers has published a book called Mexique that chronicled the story of children who were sent to Mexico as refugees of Spanish Civil War. Different tells the story of the children who stayed, exploring the war through the voices of Socorro and Paco, siblings whose father has been forced to flee the country because of his political beliefs. Life in fascist dictator Francisco Franco’s Spain is difficult. Their family is broken. Their bellies are empty. They live only on the charity of others and in fear of Franco’s soldiers. Finally, hope comes in the form of a letter from Venezuela and the family packs up in secret to flee across the world. 

 

Different is best described as a short, illustrated chapter book, best intended for middle elementary students. Some of the vocabulary is a bit difficult for young readers and could have been a bit simpler. Regardless, Socorro and Paco’s story is compelling, offering young readers an immersive and much different perspective on life. The narrative is a bit choppy and I wonder if some of the story elements are lost a bit in translation. 

 

Different is a book that I would use to teach the Spanish Civil War. There are numerous talking points that are raised through the story and the book’s postscript includes a nonfiction sketch of the war, a glossary, and resources for further reading. While it’s maybe a bit stale as a standalone book, its serviceable as an educational resource and capable of getting young readers to realize that history doesn’t just happen to famous adults but also regular children.