Blog Tour: The Bluest Sky by Christina Diaz Gonzalez (Interview!)

Happy Tuesday and welcome to my stop on the blog tour for THE BLUEST SKY! I’m so excited because today I have an interview with Christina Diaz Gonzalez to share with you! This book is truly amazing and I’m so excited to for you to find out more about it!

The Bluest Sky by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
Published on September 6, 2022 by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade
Pages: 320
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A boy and his family must decide whether to remain in Cuba under a repressive government or risk everything for the chance of a new beginning in this gripping story from the award-winning author of The Red Umbrella.
There are two versions of Héctor: the public and the private. It's the only way to survive in communist Cuba--especially when your father was exiled to the U.S. and labeled an enemy of the people. Héctor must always be seen as a fierce supporter of the regime, even if that means loudly rejecting the father he still loves.
But in the summer of 1980, those two versions are hard to keep separate. No longer able to suppress a public uprising, the Cuban government says it will open the port of Mariel to all who wish to leave the country--if they can find a boat. But choosing to leave comes with a price. Those who want to flee are denounced as traitors by family and friends. There are violent acts of repudiation, and no one knows if they will truly be allowed to leave the country or not.
So when Héctor's mother announces that she wants the family to risk everything to go to the United States, he is torn. He misses his father, but Cuba is the only home he has ever known. All his dreams and plans require him to stay. Can he leave everything behind for an unknown future?
In a summer of heat and upheaval, danger and deadly consequences, Héctor's two worlds are on a collision course. Will the impact destroy him and everything he loves?
Christina Diaz Gonzalez's great-grandmother, great-uncle, and extended family came to the U.S. through the Mariel boatlift. She vividly remembers meeting them all for the first time in the summer of 1980 and is proud to share this part of her family's history.

If Héctor were to hang out with other fictional characters, who would they be and why?

I think Héctor would enjoy hanging out with Merci Suarez (from Meg Medina’s wonderful books) because they have that Cuban connection and strong sense of family.

If there was one fictional place you could travel to for a day, where would it be and why?

I’d visit Narnia… it was a place I envisioned quite a bit as a child.

If you buried a time capsule with three items inside, what three items would you choose and why?

Photograph of my family, my grandmother’s recipe for natilla, and a funny family anecdote… all for posterity’s sake and because I wish I had these types of things from generations long ago.

What was your favorite bit of research you ended up not using?

I think I used every little bit of information that I discovered because I wanted to immerse the reader in the world of Cuba in 1980.

What is your favorite quote, scene, or moment from The Bluest Sky?

When Héctor’s teacher gives him the advice of not following his dreams… but to instead have his dreams follow him.

What do you think about The Bluest Sky? Have you added it to your tbr yet? Let me know in the comments and have a splendiferous day!