A Flicker of Hope
Written by Cynthia Harmony
Illustrated by Devon Holzwarth
A heartwarming tale of a girl waiting for her beloved Papá to return when the monarchs fly south to their home in Mexico.
Lucía loves to watch the monarchs' migration from her home in Mexico with Papá. But this year, the monarchs' journey north holds extra weight; Papá is heading north, too, to look for work. He promises her that when "the weather turns cold and the monarcas return, our winged ancestors will guide me home." So while he spends the summer months harvesting produce on faraway farms, Lucía watches the skies for signs of the monarchs'—and her papá's—return.
Told through the parallel stories of the butterflies’ journey and Lucía's migrant farmer father, Cynthia Harmony's A Flicker of Hope is a love letter to the power of families and nature, both of which know no borders.
★ "A beautiful story about cycles and traditions that shines a light on migration."
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
★ "A Mexican girl waits for the return of her migrant farmworker father, whose departure parallels the migratory pattern of monarch butterflies, in this ecological tale of dual-species movement."
–Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ “Lyrical text and captivating illustrations create a truly compelling reading experience.... Magnificent and hopeful."
—School Library Journal, starred review
★ “Rarely have the big ideas of family, tradition, labor, ecosystems, and interdependence been presented in such a loving and approachable way."
—Booklist, starred review
● Blueberry Award Honor
● NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book award (National Science Teaching Association)
● A Kirkus Best Picture Books of the Year 2024
● New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2024
● NCTE Honor Book Award (National Council of Teachers of English – Charlotte Huck Outstanding Fiction for Children Honor Book Award 2025)
● American Library Association Notable Children's Book 2025
● Chicago Public Library Best Books 2024
Inside the book
behind the scenes
Free Printables
