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We Are Pan
Four teens. One island. A revolution that will tear their world apart.
When Fidel Castro's Revolution erupts across Cuba, everything Antonia, Eugenio, Rosa, and Wilfredo thought they understood about their lives—about their families, their futures, even their identities—blows apart like fireworks over Havana Bay.
Suddenly… Dreamers become fugitives. Artists become targets. Crushes become enemies. And families must choose who gets to escape—and who must stay behind.
As the island transforms into a country under surveillance, the four of them face choices no teenager should ever have to make. Choices about who they are. Who they trust. And who they must say goodbye to…forever. What happens when your childhood ends not with a celebration…but a revolution?
Inspired by true stories behind Operation Pedro Pan, We Are Pan is a heart wrenching YA graphic novel about first love, last chances, and the courage it takes to leave everything behind.
When Fidel Castro's Revolution erupts across Cuba, everything Antonia, Eugenio, Rosa, and Wilfredo thought they understood about their lives—about their families, their futures, even their identities—blows apart like fireworks over Havana Bay.
Suddenly… Dreamers become fugitives. Artists become targets. Crushes become enemies. And families must choose who gets to escape—and who must stay behind.
As the island transforms into a country under surveillance, the four of them face choices no teenager should ever have to make. Choices about who they are. Who they trust. And who they must say goodbye to…forever. What happens when your childhood ends not with a celebration…but a revolution?
Inspired by true stories behind Operation Pedro Pan, We Are Pan is a heart wrenching YA graphic novel about first love, last chances, and the courage it takes to leave everything behind.
184 pages, Paperback
Published June 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 5, 2026
I had really high hopes for “We Are Pan” but I was ultimately disappointed. I was drawn to this book because I had never heard of Operation Pedro Pan. In a historical way, this book was insightful and illuminating, but it fails on many other counts.
There are simply too many perspectives offered in this book to spend any time developing them. The narration jumps between timelines and characters and locations much too frequently to give the reader any grounded sense of identity. All the characters, consequently, were very one-dimensional. This one is the gay artist. This is the privileged girl. That sort of thing.
I also feel like there was not enough perspective granted to those that were pro-Castro in this time. In a book about Operation Pedro Pan, these perspectives definitely shouldn’t be at the forefront, but every pro-Castro character immediately becomes undeniably evil, like a supervillain. I would love to be corrected on this, but I really doubt that every single “Fidelista” acted this way. The narration could not be further from the other side, who are, at best, victims of propaganda.
Of course Castro did horrific things and I am not trying to deny that, but such a simplistic view on a complex and nuanced issue makes it easy to write off supporters as fundamentally different, evil people. “I could never do that!” when in reality, these were real people just like you and me.
This detail, coupled with poor character development, makes the book feel even more disconnected and unlikely. Similar is the disconnection of the lively cover art from the grim contents of the book. This is definitely not for children, though I doubt the creator had much to do with its marketing.
This book somehow felt too long and too short simultaneously. The dialogue was often confusing (not just because of the Spanish inclusions, but I do wonder why the characters had these inclusions if it is then established, when everyone comes to an English-speaking country, that they had been speaking Spanish the whole time? Maybe I was confused, though) and uninteresting. I did not enjoy this and I would not recommend it. I will later read articles about this Operation, because it in of itself is interesting.
Regardless, thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC!
There are simply too many perspectives offered in this book to spend any time developing them. The narration jumps between timelines and characters and locations much too frequently to give the reader any grounded sense of identity. All the characters, consequently, were very one-dimensional. This one is the gay artist. This is the privileged girl. That sort of thing.
I also feel like there was not enough perspective granted to those that were pro-Castro in this time. In a book about Operation Pedro Pan, these perspectives definitely shouldn’t be at the forefront, but every pro-Castro character immediately becomes undeniably evil, like a supervillain. I would love to be corrected on this, but I really doubt that every single “Fidelista” acted this way. The narration could not be further from the other side, who are, at best, victims of propaganda.
Of course Castro did horrific things and I am not trying to deny that, but such a simplistic view on a complex and nuanced issue makes it easy to write off supporters as fundamentally different, evil people. “I could never do that!” when in reality, these were real people just like you and me.
This detail, coupled with poor character development, makes the book feel even more disconnected and unlikely. Similar is the disconnection of the lively cover art from the grim contents of the book. This is definitely not for children, though I doubt the creator had much to do with its marketing.
This book somehow felt too long and too short simultaneously. The dialogue was often confusing (not just because of the Spanish inclusions, but I do wonder why the characters had these inclusions if it is then established, when everyone comes to an English-speaking country, that they had been speaking Spanish the whole time? Maybe I was confused, though) and uninteresting. I did not enjoy this and I would not recommend it. I will later read articles about this Operation, because it in of itself is interesting.
Regardless, thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC!
July 8, 2026
I don't know much about Cuba and its history. When I saw this book listed as a new arrival at my library, I quickly put it on hold. I was not disappointed. It's a personal story of the Castro regime takeover and how it led to Operation Pedro Pan. I knew nothing of this and now I want to learn more about "this little island 90 miles off the coast of Florida" as the author calls it.
July 1, 2026
Relevant for upper middle grade and up. It is so important to learn about these events in history that we don’t learn about in school. The graphic novel format I think works particularly well for telling this story. Colorful and engaging art.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*My thanks to NetGalley and IDW for providing me with an eARC of this title. All opinions are my own.*
This book caught my attention because it dealt with Castro's takeover of Cuba in the 1960s and the repercussions for ordinary Cubans, especially the kids and teens. This isn't a historical event that gets covered very much in youth fiction, so it's refreshing to see something new. I also wasn't aware that this had a name live "Operation Pedro Pan," so that was also something new to me.
Overall, the presentation was good. From what I know of the Castro Revolution, the storylines seem well-researched and true to history. There's a wide variety of backgrounds and people depicted here, as well as a diversity of opinion regarding Castro's philosophies. There doesn't seem to be an overt preachy message trying to shoehorn modern politics into a historical event, which in this day and age actually deserves praise (that should just be a given).
This story also doesn't shy away from the brutality of living under Castro's regime. Forced conscription into the military, violently murdering dissenters, rationing and starvation - it's all here. Set against that backdrop, as harrowing as it must have been for these parents to send their children away to safety - it really was the best call. And luckily, there was an actual program established in the United States to care for these kids. It wasn't just that these parents threw their children on a plane and hoped for the best.
I was actually surprised that
The art was fine. It wasn't anything groundbreaking or intensely amazing, but it served the purpose of helping tell the story.
Taken as a whole, I will be recommending this book in my library and putting it up for consideration for the Beehive Awards in a year or two.
This book caught my attention because it dealt with Castro's takeover of Cuba in the 1960s and the repercussions for ordinary Cubans, especially the kids and teens. This isn't a historical event that gets covered very much in youth fiction, so it's refreshing to see something new. I also wasn't aware that this had a name live "Operation Pedro Pan," so that was also something new to me.
Overall, the presentation was good. From what I know of the Castro Revolution, the storylines seem well-researched and true to history. There's a wide variety of backgrounds and people depicted here, as well as a diversity of opinion regarding Castro's philosophies. There doesn't seem to be an overt preachy message trying to shoehorn modern politics into a historical event, which in this day and age actually deserves praise (that should just be a given).
This story also doesn't shy away from the brutality of living under Castro's regime. Forced conscription into the military, violently murdering dissenters, rationing and starvation - it's all here. Set against that backdrop, as harrowing as it must have been for these parents to send their children away to safety - it really was the best call. And luckily, there was an actual program established in the United States to care for these kids. It wasn't just that these parents threw their children on a plane and hoped for the best.
I was actually surprised that
The art was fine. It wasn't anything groundbreaking or intensely amazing, but it served the purpose of helping tell the story.
Taken as a whole, I will be recommending this book in my library and putting it up for consideration for the Beehive Awards in a year or two.
June 8, 2026
“We Are Pan by Andre R. Frattino, illustrated by Yasmín Flores Montañez, is a YA graphic novel that dramatizes the upheaval of Cuba during the early days of Fidel Castro’s Revolution, following four teenagers whose lives are reshaped by political collapse and uncertainty.
The story centers on Antonia, Eugenio, Rosa, and Wilfredo, whose ordinary adolescent lives are suddenly disrupted as revolution transforms their island into a place of surveillance, fear, and impossible decisions. Friendships are strained, families are divided, and identities are forced into rapid redefinition as survival becomes the primary concern.
Frattino structures the narrative around personal stakes rather than historical overview, allowing the emotional impact of political upheaval to come through the experiences of young people caught in its wake. The inspiration from Operation Pedro Pan adds historical grounding, giving the fictionalized story a strong connection to real events and lived experiences.
Yasmín Flores Montañez’s illustrations play a central role in conveying the tone of the book. The visual storytelling emphasizes emotional intensity—moments of fear, separation, and uncertainty are rendered with immediacy, while quieter scenes highlight intimacy, longing, and loss. The graphic format enhances the accessibility of the historical subject matter without diminishing its seriousness.
A key strength of the book is its focus on moral and emotional complexity. Rather than presenting clear heroes or villains, it emphasizes difficult choices who to trust, who to protect, and what must be sacrificed when safety and belonging are no longer guaranteed.
Overall, We Are Pan is a moving and visually compelling historical YA graphic novel that blends personal coming-of-age storytelling with the broader realities of political revolution. It will appeal to readers interested in historical fiction, graphic storytelling, and emotionally driven narratives about displacement and identity.”
The story centers on Antonia, Eugenio, Rosa, and Wilfredo, whose ordinary adolescent lives are suddenly disrupted as revolution transforms their island into a place of surveillance, fear, and impossible decisions. Friendships are strained, families are divided, and identities are forced into rapid redefinition as survival becomes the primary concern.
Frattino structures the narrative around personal stakes rather than historical overview, allowing the emotional impact of political upheaval to come through the experiences of young people caught in its wake. The inspiration from Operation Pedro Pan adds historical grounding, giving the fictionalized story a strong connection to real events and lived experiences.
Yasmín Flores Montañez’s illustrations play a central role in conveying the tone of the book. The visual storytelling emphasizes emotional intensity—moments of fear, separation, and uncertainty are rendered with immediacy, while quieter scenes highlight intimacy, longing, and loss. The graphic format enhances the accessibility of the historical subject matter without diminishing its seriousness.
A key strength of the book is its focus on moral and emotional complexity. Rather than presenting clear heroes or villains, it emphasizes difficult choices who to trust, who to protect, and what must be sacrificed when safety and belonging are no longer guaranteed.
Overall, We Are Pan is a moving and visually compelling historical YA graphic novel that blends personal coming-of-age storytelling with the broader realities of political revolution. It will appeal to readers interested in historical fiction, graphic storytelling, and emotionally driven narratives about displacement and identity.”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First I would like to thank NetGalley, the Author and Artist, and the Publisher for this ARC.
This was heavy
At first I didn't quite understand where this was going and then it turned into a history lessen I never knew I needed.
I live in Europe and the history we are taught is more WWI and WWII related. But even then it's only superficial and never what one really needs to know or the dept of it.
So for me this was a refreshing "history lesson". The comic dealt with Castro's takeover of Cuba in the 1960s and the repercussions for ordinary Cubans, especially the kids and teens. This isn't a historical event that gets covered very much in youth fiction, so it's refreshing to see something new.
At one point they had the balls to show a scene of anti-Castro dissenters getting shot against a wall in the street. Some of these people were teens. and it's just a hard reminder that a lot of bloodshed precedes all of it. So it really doesn't shy away from the brutality of living under Castro's regime. Forced conscription into the military, violently murdering dissenters, rationing and starvation - it's all here. Set against that backdrop, as harrowing as it must have been for these parents to send their children away to safety
For what I see and understand there's a wide variety of backgrounds and people depicted here, as well as a diversity of opinion regarding Castro's philosophies. There doesn't seem to be an overt preachy message trying to shoehorn modern politics into a historical event, which in this day and age actually deserves praise.
And although I'm very certain that not every child who was sent to America was as lucky as the ones we read about here, I do understand what they were trying to do and the moral of this story is that we should help one and another, no matter the color of their skin, their religion or where they came from.
This was heavy
At first I didn't quite understand where this was going and then it turned into a history lessen I never knew I needed.
I live in Europe and the history we are taught is more WWI and WWII related. But even then it's only superficial and never what one really needs to know or the dept of it.
So for me this was a refreshing "history lesson". The comic dealt with Castro's takeover of Cuba in the 1960s and the repercussions for ordinary Cubans, especially the kids and teens. This isn't a historical event that gets covered very much in youth fiction, so it's refreshing to see something new.
At one point they had the balls to show a scene of anti-Castro dissenters getting shot against a wall in the street. Some of these people were teens. and it's just a hard reminder that a lot of bloodshed precedes all of it. So it really doesn't shy away from the brutality of living under Castro's regime. Forced conscription into the military, violently murdering dissenters, rationing and starvation - it's all here. Set against that backdrop, as harrowing as it must have been for these parents to send their children away to safety
For what I see and understand there's a wide variety of backgrounds and people depicted here, as well as a diversity of opinion regarding Castro's philosophies. There doesn't seem to be an overt preachy message trying to shoehorn modern politics into a historical event, which in this day and age actually deserves praise.
And although I'm very certain that not every child who was sent to America was as lucky as the ones we read about here, I do understand what they were trying to do and the moral of this story is that we should help one and another, no matter the color of their skin, their religion or where they came from.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A YA graphic novel providing insight into Operation Pedro Pan, which facilitated the relocation of over 14,000 Cuban children to the United States between 1960 and 1962 due to concerns about brainwashing under Fidel Castro.
It addresses real historical events, family separation, and survival during the Cuban Revolution, although it lacks depth in its depiction of these challenging experiences.
I recall my 6th and 7th grade teachers providing updates during class and my priest at Mass leading us in prayers for those children. Unfortunately, I’ve not thought about PAN in decades.
The book offers a superficial examination of the political context, clandestine airlifts, and the Catholic Welfare Bureau’s involvement, emphasizing the emotional impact on families and the dilemmas between loyalty and freedom. While it presents diverse teenage perspectives, these are frequently underdeveloped and do not offer a nuanced understanding.
The artwork attempts to juxtapose Cuba’s vibrancy with America’s uncertainty, underscoring the historical and emotional stakes, but the execution often fails to convey the gravity of the situation.
The cheerfully illustrated cover starkly contrasts with the loss and trauma of the children and their families creating a jarring disconnect. Multiple protagonists provide a broad perspective, but due to limited emotional depth, the narrative lacks a cohesive emotional impact.
While it serves as an educational introduction to this significant historical event, it does so with a superficiality that left me desiring a more profound exploration.
**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review. #ARC #NetGalley
#WeArePan
It addresses real historical events, family separation, and survival during the Cuban Revolution, although it lacks depth in its depiction of these challenging experiences.
I recall my 6th and 7th grade teachers providing updates during class and my priest at Mass leading us in prayers for those children. Unfortunately, I’ve not thought about PAN in decades.
The book offers a superficial examination of the political context, clandestine airlifts, and the Catholic Welfare Bureau’s involvement, emphasizing the emotional impact on families and the dilemmas between loyalty and freedom. While it presents diverse teenage perspectives, these are frequently underdeveloped and do not offer a nuanced understanding.
The artwork attempts to juxtapose Cuba’s vibrancy with America’s uncertainty, underscoring the historical and emotional stakes, but the execution often fails to convey the gravity of the situation.
The cheerfully illustrated cover starkly contrasts with the loss and trauma of the children and their families creating a jarring disconnect. Multiple protagonists provide a broad perspective, but due to limited emotional depth, the narrative lacks a cohesive emotional impact.
While it serves as an educational introduction to this significant historical event, it does so with a superficiality that left me desiring a more profound exploration.
**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review. #ARC #NetGalley
#WeArePan
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was drawn to this story because I don’t remember learning about it before. It is an important piece of history that we must pay attention to so that we as a country do not repeat it. I did see similarities to what the United States is going through right now, and it made me realize it could so easily be us.
NetGalley had this book listed as Children’s Fiction and it is definitely not. It is written strictly on an adult level with adult themes, a few of which are inappropriate, especially for a younger audience. I did enjoy the comic book style because a lot more can be relayed through pictures and it made for a quick read. The first full half of the book lays the foundation for what was going on in Cuba at the time and how the evacuation of children to the states came to be. The second half was more interesting as you follow the children from being flown out of Cuba in the 1960s to where they are today. The “children,” however, were mostly older teens and young adults. It would have been nice to have one or two very young ones depicted, but the afterward does state that the characters were based on interviews with actual Pans.
I enjoyed this intriguing historical account and the important part played by the Catholic church. I recommend familiarizing yourself with this fascinating and fairly recent historical event.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
NetGalley had this book listed as Children’s Fiction and it is definitely not. It is written strictly on an adult level with adult themes, a few of which are inappropriate, especially for a younger audience. I did enjoy the comic book style because a lot more can be relayed through pictures and it made for a quick read. The first full half of the book lays the foundation for what was going on in Cuba at the time and how the evacuation of children to the states came to be. The second half was more interesting as you follow the children from being flown out of Cuba in the 1960s to where they are today. The “children,” however, were mostly older teens and young adults. It would have been nice to have one or two very young ones depicted, but the afterward does state that the characters were based on interviews with actual Pans.
I enjoyed this intriguing historical account and the important part played by the Catholic church. I recommend familiarizing yourself with this fascinating and fairly recent historical event.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much to IDW Publishing/ Top Shelf Productions and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.
This didn’t go as I was expecting at all, I knew it would be educational and sharing a piece of history I actually didn’t know anything about, but I just found myself struggling with it. It wasn’t engaging to me personally and it was so slow, it kept flicking between characters which got confusing and there was too much story that didn’t really seem overly relevant.
I was thinking it would be a story of a couple children that had to go through the experience in their lives, from the cause, the changes and then the difficult transitional move. But it took such a longer path to actually get to the point, there were way too many people and too many stories and it was really hard to find a connection with any of them.
I still think it’s a piece of history that is important to be shared about, Castros revolution and the Pedro Pan children. I honestly didn’t know anything about this and was hoping to learn about it from reading this, which I did; however as it felt very dry and boring and wasn’t very engaging I struggled to take in all the information.
I do think that though this wasn’t something I found enjoyment in, it offers something great for a teen audience with it being in a graphic novel with plenty of illustrations to guide them through, sharing the story in more of a bite size style. I think that it’s a great educational resource.
This didn’t go as I was expecting at all, I knew it would be educational and sharing a piece of history I actually didn’t know anything about, but I just found myself struggling with it. It wasn’t engaging to me personally and it was so slow, it kept flicking between characters which got confusing and there was too much story that didn’t really seem overly relevant.
I was thinking it would be a story of a couple children that had to go through the experience in their lives, from the cause, the changes and then the difficult transitional move. But it took such a longer path to actually get to the point, there were way too many people and too many stories and it was really hard to find a connection with any of them.
I still think it’s a piece of history that is important to be shared about, Castros revolution and the Pedro Pan children. I honestly didn’t know anything about this and was hoping to learn about it from reading this, which I did; however as it felt very dry and boring and wasn’t very engaging I struggled to take in all the information.
I do think that though this wasn’t something I found enjoyment in, it offers something great for a teen audience with it being in a graphic novel with plenty of illustrations to guide them through, sharing the story in more of a bite size style. I think that it’s a great educational resource.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I didn’t know what to expect starting this book as I knew nothing about Operation Pedro Pan and my knowledge of the Cuban revolution is also limited. I liked how the book started on each child before Castro first as it gave us a real sense of the lives they had and lost due to the political climate. The multiple children also gave a better sense of the people in Cuba at that time, especially the one who joined the party and the one who had to leave against her fathers will. I also really liked the ending showing where the children ended up and the achievement each one made by being given a chance at a different life.
Favourite Quote:
“While Operation: Pedro Pan is very unique to Cuba, and uniquely belongs to that generation of Cubans sent here as children, it is a universal tale for any parent willing to sacrifice everything for their children to have a better life. A life without persecution, without poverty, without starvation, without loss of innocence. It’s also a cautionary tale that can effect any of us, anywhere, at any time. We can only hope that if or when it does happen to us, there is compassion on the other side, a boat or plane ride away.”
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I didn’t know what to expect starting this book as I knew nothing about Operation Pedro Pan and my knowledge of the Cuban revolution is also limited. I liked how the book started on each child before Castro first as it gave us a real sense of the lives they had and lost due to the political climate. The multiple children also gave a better sense of the people in Cuba at that time, especially the one who joined the party and the one who had to leave against her fathers will. I also really liked the ending showing where the children ended up and the achievement each one made by being given a chance at a different life.
Favourite Quote:
“While Operation: Pedro Pan is very unique to Cuba, and uniquely belongs to that generation of Cubans sent here as children, it is a universal tale for any parent willing to sacrifice everything for their children to have a better life. A life without persecution, without poverty, without starvation, without loss of innocence. It’s also a cautionary tale that can effect any of us, anywhere, at any time. We can only hope that if or when it does happen to us, there is compassion on the other side, a boat or plane ride away.”
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Before I started We Are Pan, I was unaware of Operation Pedro Pan and did not know what to expect.This graphic novel is beautifully illustrated and deeply emotional. It highlights the often overlooked story of Operación Pedro Pan, when over 14,000 Cuban children were sent alone to the United States between 1960 and 1962 to escape the Castro regime.
The story centers on the heartbreaking choices Cuban families faced—stay together under growing political danger or send their children away in hopes of a safer future. Through the experiences of these “Pedro Pan” children, the book explores themes of separation, resilience, and enduring love. The foreword by Alex Segura adds a personal touch, connecting the narrative to real family histories.
Yasmin Flores Montanez’s artwork is heartfelt and expressive, capturing both the fear of leaving home and the uncertainty of starting over in a new country.
Overall, We Are Pan is a powerful and compassionate graphic novel that sheds light on a painful chapter of history while honoring the strength of the children and families who lived through it.
The story centers on the heartbreaking choices Cuban families faced—stay together under growing political danger or send their children away in hopes of a safer future. Through the experiences of these “Pedro Pan” children, the book explores themes of separation, resilience, and enduring love. The foreword by Alex Segura adds a personal touch, connecting the narrative to real family histories.
Yasmin Flores Montanez’s artwork is heartfelt and expressive, capturing both the fear of leaving home and the uncertainty of starting over in a new country.
Overall, We Are Pan is a powerful and compassionate graphic novel that sheds light on a painful chapter of history while honoring the strength of the children and families who lived through it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
grateful to NetGalley, the Author, and Publishers for granting me this e-ARC!
this is a thoughtful and important graphic novel that clearly had a lot of love and care put into it. the story is one worth telling, and i appreciated the compassion with which it was presented.
the artwork and design were standout elements for me. the illustrations are beautiful and expressive, making this an informative and enjoyable read.
that said,i didn’t really love the structure of this and had some issues with the book as a whole.
my main issue was the pacing. some sections felt rushed, the transitions weren't always smooth, and i was a little confused at the beginning before things settled into place.
i feel like the main points about this real historical event could have been dissected a lot more and the themes could have been clearer/deeper. also, the final page felt a bit too corny for my taste; i could have done without it.
i also noticed a few graphical errors, though as this is an ARC, i expect those will be corrected in the final version.
overall, this was a lovely read with gorgeous art and a lot heart it has some ways to go to be as good as i would have liked it to.
this is a thoughtful and important graphic novel that clearly had a lot of love and care put into it. the story is one worth telling, and i appreciated the compassion with which it was presented.
the artwork and design were standout elements for me. the illustrations are beautiful and expressive, making this an informative and enjoyable read.
that said,i didn’t really love the structure of this and had some issues with the book as a whole.
my main issue was the pacing. some sections felt rushed, the transitions weren't always smooth, and i was a little confused at the beginning before things settled into place.
i feel like the main points about this real historical event could have been dissected a lot more and the themes could have been clearer/deeper. also, the final page felt a bit too corny for my taste; i could have done without it.
i also noticed a few graphical errors, though as this is an ARC, i expect those will be corrected in the final version.
overall, this was a lovely read with gorgeous art and a lot heart it has some ways to go to be as good as i would have liked it to.
June 9, 2026
His was an interesting story. I did not realize it was based on real people until the end. I did get bored with the story initially by too much everyday conversation. I would have appreciated the words to all be in English as it was understood that the characters were Cubans who spoke Spanish. None of the Cuban people I’ve met mix English and Spanish. That tends to be more of what I’ve heard Tex-Mex from Americans in the U.S. the story did begin to get interesting as Castro was taking over. I had never heard of Pedro Pan, but the story did not elaborate that it meant it was Operation Pedro Pan where kids were flown to America. In the story, things just happened without much explanation except that certain individuals were rescued, not their age range or the reason why certain populations were flown out of Cuba. The Afterword does provide some information that led me to further research. I do appreciate this story as it made me aware of Operation Pedro Pan, which I had never heard of before. Thanks for bringing that to light and thank you Net Galley for an advanced copy and for the opportunity of adding to my knowledge base of this historical event.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First of all, I want to say thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for gifting a free ecopy for me to read ahead of its June 2,2026 release. I’m excited to offer my honest review.
This is the first graphic novel I have read as an adult and I thought it was very well done. The topic was one that I wasn’t familiar with and wanted to learn more about it. I’m so glad I did. Tha story does a wonderful job relaying the emotions and struggles of the families and children who were involved with “Operation Pedro Pan.” Bases on true stories, it follows four teenagers who are in the midst of the turmoil and, because of the fears of the parents, are forced to flee to America to live with foster families. It is both inspiring and heartbreaking knowing that families actually had to experience this.
Not being a graphic novel reader, some of the content was a little hard to follow, but the message relayed was very clear. If you love graphic novels and want to learn about a part of history that isn’t as well known, this one is for you.
This is the first graphic novel I have read as an adult and I thought it was very well done. The topic was one that I wasn’t familiar with and wanted to learn more about it. I’m so glad I did. Tha story does a wonderful job relaying the emotions and struggles of the families and children who were involved with “Operation Pedro Pan.” Bases on true stories, it follows four teenagers who are in the midst of the turmoil and, because of the fears of the parents, are forced to flee to America to live with foster families. It is both inspiring and heartbreaking knowing that families actually had to experience this.
Not being a graphic novel reader, some of the content was a little hard to follow, but the message relayed was very clear. If you love graphic novels and want to learn about a part of history that isn’t as well known, this one is for you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you @netgalley for the copy of this graphic novel by @arfstudios
This graphic novel gave me a great perspective into what the rise of Fidel Castro led to in Cuba and how it changed the lives of many. I thought this story did an amazing job of telling the narrative of many citizens of Cuba, and how anyone from the wealthy to the poor could have faced negative consequences from not accepting the regime change. It was brave of all of these families to try and smuggle their children out of Cuba when rumors began of them being forced away from families into dangerous situations "in the name of a better country"
I thought the illustrations in this comic were beautifully done, being the perfect complement to the story. I loved the introduction which provided context to this story, preparing me for what I was about to read, and then the author's own story at the end which showed me why he decided to write this book. I thought it was a very touching story and would be a wonderful addition for school's libraries if not bought for personal ones!
This graphic novel gave me a great perspective into what the rise of Fidel Castro led to in Cuba and how it changed the lives of many. I thought this story did an amazing job of telling the narrative of many citizens of Cuba, and how anyone from the wealthy to the poor could have faced negative consequences from not accepting the regime change. It was brave of all of these families to try and smuggle their children out of Cuba when rumors began of them being forced away from families into dangerous situations "in the name of a better country"
I thought the illustrations in this comic were beautifully done, being the perfect complement to the story. I loved the introduction which provided context to this story, preparing me for what I was about to read, and then the author's own story at the end which showed me why he decided to write this book. I thought it was a very touching story and would be a wonderful addition for school's libraries if not bought for personal ones!
June 2, 2026
We Are Pan is a beautiful, intriguing graphic novel that depicts in vivid detail “Operacion Pedro Pan, a massive effort to evacuate thousands of children from Cuba to the United States during the early days of the Castro regime.” In a regular novel format, facts can be the focus. But in this graphic novel, you get to see the “‘why’ and ‘to whom’...the most important part of this story…the humanity…We Are Pan does an impressive job of not only informing the reader of what Pedro Pan was, but how it felt, and who it impacted.” (Alex Segura, forward)
This book is a new way to teach important history that must not be lost to the next generations. With well drawn and colored graphics, vivid emotions and thrilling actions, this book would make a great gift for any Cuban-Americans, or for anyone who wishes to know more about Cuban history. It’s a must-read for all the younger generations to know what their elders survived and overcame, and what their legacy is.
This book is a new way to teach important history that must not be lost to the next generations. With well drawn and colored graphics, vivid emotions and thrilling actions, this book would make a great gift for any Cuban-Americans, or for anyone who wishes to know more about Cuban history. It’s a must-read for all the younger generations to know what their elders survived and overcame, and what their legacy is.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Very decent graphic novel portraying the reality of being moved from Cuba to Miami, as 14,000 children were in a two-year spell at the start of the 1960s. It'll dismay many to see Castro and his gun-for-hire Che portrayed as so evil, but the communist state did a lot of people wrong, and many people wished for a better life – either for themselves or for their children. Here we see the build-up to the move, and speed through what happened afterwards, for a handful of fictionalised ones. It's billed as a YA comic, apparently, but it will work for all ages, as the breaking up of the family unit will impact all readers, and they'll be rooting for the ones that finally get to make the plane out. It can feel a little bitty at times, as it jumps from character to story to plot and back, but by the end we see the impact of the situation delivered quite effectively.
June 3, 2026
***ARC from NetGalley***
This graphic novel is based on/inspired by, the true stories of the children who were evacuated from Cuba via Operation Pedro Pan. The novel opens just before the Castro revolution, focusing on four different families and follows each through the early years of the Castro regime and the effects on everyday life and those of the four protagonists.
Beautifully illustrated and sensitively told, this novel shines a light on a program that many are unaware of. I am very grateful that I learned about Pedro Pan and the families that took in these young children until the majority of them could be reunited with their families. This story could have been easily told from the American perspective, but instead, we see it through the eyes of those who lived it.
An emotional and informative read that I highly recommend.
This graphic novel is based on/inspired by, the true stories of the children who were evacuated from Cuba via Operation Pedro Pan. The novel opens just before the Castro revolution, focusing on four different families and follows each through the early years of the Castro regime and the effects on everyday life and those of the four protagonists.
Beautifully illustrated and sensitively told, this novel shines a light on a program that many are unaware of. I am very grateful that I learned about Pedro Pan and the families that took in these young children until the majority of them could be reunited with their families. This story could have been easily told from the American perspective, but instead, we see it through the eyes of those who lived it.
An emotional and informative read that I highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley.
I liked this but I wanted to like it a lot more. My biggest qualm was there were so many characters, and I really had trouble keeping up. Operation Pan was something I only had a little previous knowledge on and getting to learn more about it was fascinating. The art style felt very classically Havana and I loved that.
It is labelled as children's fiction in Netgalley, but I'm wondering if YA gets lumped into that because Goodreads has it labelled as YA and it is definitely YA and not children's. No points off for that, just an observation!
I was given the opportunity to read this title by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this but I wanted to like it a lot more. My biggest qualm was there were so many characters, and I really had trouble keeping up. Operation Pan was something I only had a little previous knowledge on and getting to learn more about it was fascinating. The art style felt very classically Havana and I loved that.
It is labelled as children's fiction in Netgalley, but I'm wondering if YA gets lumped into that because Goodreads has it labelled as YA and it is definitely YA and not children's. No points off for that, just an observation!
I was given the opportunity to read this title by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
We Are Pan is a graphic novel telling the POV of four teenage children set when Fidel Castros Revolution took place across Cuba.
I was drawn to this book by the cover and the historic event that I don't know that much about.
However, this book is not for children as the cover may mislead - it is definitely for YA and has adult themes and events younger children may find upsetting.
The characters stories are inspired by true stories from this time during Operation Pedro Pan and is so heartbreaking to read about but very important too. With the state of the world today this is a must read to all to wake up and take action to prevent similar history re-happening in the world today.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
We Are Pan is a graphic novel telling the POV of four teenage children set when Fidel Castros Revolution took place across Cuba.
I was drawn to this book by the cover and the historic event that I don't know that much about.
However, this book is not for children as the cover may mislead - it is definitely for YA and has adult themes and events younger children may find upsetting.
The characters stories are inspired by true stories from this time during Operation Pedro Pan and is so heartbreaking to read about but very important too. With the state of the world today this is a must read to all to wake up and take action to prevent similar history re-happening in the world today.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was in my Manga/Graphic Novel era when I requested this but it took me a while to read it.
Story wise, it seemed well-researched and true to history. It's a history of which people from which tackled those period from Castro's regime. But felt like it didn't really fit in the proper category of Children's fiction, it felt like it was more appropriate for a Young Adult genre because of the topics it tackled. Plus it didn't feel like it was a fiction, it's more of a non-fiction or half fiction and half non-fiction but leaning more towards non-fiction.
Art wise, I don't know if it was just like that because of the watermark in the middle of the graphics, but it was a bit blurry. The conversations were sharp and clear but the outline of the graphics could have improved more.
Story wise, it seemed well-researched and true to history. It's a history of which people from which tackled those period from Castro's regime. But felt like it didn't really fit in the proper category of Children's fiction, it felt like it was more appropriate for a Young Adult genre because of the topics it tackled. Plus it didn't feel like it was a fiction, it's more of a non-fiction or half fiction and half non-fiction but leaning more towards non-fiction.
Art wise, I don't know if it was just like that because of the watermark in the middle of the graphics, but it was a bit blurry. The conversations were sharp and clear but the outline of the graphics could have improved more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This story took quite a while to grow on me. It was only after the Pedro Pan project was actually happening, that I felt something for the characters and the story.
I did find it a very interesting read though, as we, Europeans, are not well-taught in the history of any Latin-American country.
The Spanish inserts in the dialogue fit very well, and I did not mind they were left untranslated or explained in the rest of the dialogue.
It did make a certain scene slightly confusing, when one of the characters is shown to have not grasped the English language fully. But after having read 100 pages about her in English, this scene might not work as well.
I did find it a very interesting read though, as we, Europeans, are not well-taught in the history of any Latin-American country.
The Spanish inserts in the dialogue fit very well, and I did not mind they were left untranslated or explained in the rest of the dialogue.
It did make a certain scene slightly confusing, when one of the characters is shown to have not grasped the English language fully. But after having read 100 pages about her in English, this scene might not work as well.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Note: I received access to read this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
We Are Pan tells stories wrapped in the geopolitics of Fidel Castro's rise to power. These individual stories start strong but fizzle out by the end with not enough attention paid to the narratives' throughline in favor of a historical timeline. I wish more time could have been spent developing these characters. I wasn't very enamored with the artwork. It's especially evident during fistfights that characters are posed and reposed in the same poses.
We Are Pan tells stories wrapped in the geopolitics of Fidel Castro's rise to power. These individual stories start strong but fizzle out by the end with not enough attention paid to the narratives' throughline in favor of a historical timeline. I wish more time could have been spent developing these characters. I wasn't very enamored with the artwork. It's especially evident during fistfights that characters are posed and reposed in the same poses.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I admit I didn’t know anything about the events talked about in this book. I never heard about Project Pedro Pan or the Never Never children. I did know about Castro, a bit, but I was unaware of how he came to power.
This is both informative and easily consumed. Good for teens to adults. There is some eluding to r*pe or at least coercion for s*x, so consider that for the age groups you are showing this to. I’m grateful to books like this that open my eyes to something new and give me something more to begin reading more in depth on.
This is both informative and easily consumed. Good for teens to adults. There is some eluding to r*pe or at least coercion for s*x, so consider that for the age groups you are showing this to. I’m grateful to books like this that open my eyes to something new and give me something more to begin reading more in depth on.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Full of heart and emotion, this book shares much more than just facts. I'm very impressed by the amount of information and multiple stories that were told in just one graphic novel, though I found the timelines and changing narratives to be a bit confusing at times. The illustrations were beautifully done and portrayed so much emotion. Overall, a very heartfelt story that is so overdue - sharing the stories of those I never would have known otherwise! A huge thank you to Netgalley for the early copy!
June 3, 2026
Years ago when I lived in South Florida, a friend mentioned the Operación Pedro Pan flights. I had never heard of them, but as a history nerd, I stayed up late for weeks researching everything I could. To this day, I will read absolutely anything about this event.
This graphic novel did a fantastic job showing the emotional weight of what these kids went through. It is an incredibly moving and fast-paced look at a major piece of history that a lot of people still don't know about. I highly recommend it!
Thank you IDW Publishing | Top Shelf Productions and NetGalley.#WeArePan #NetGalley..
This graphic novel did a fantastic job showing the emotional weight of what these kids went through. It is an incredibly moving and fast-paced look at a major piece of history that a lot of people still don't know about. I highly recommend it!
Thank you IDW Publishing | Top Shelf Productions and NetGalley.#WeArePan #NetGalley..
April 30, 2026
We Are Pan by Andre R. Frattino and Yasmin Flores Montanez
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an interesting read, especially as someone who studied Fid Castro for GCSE and didn’t have any idea about Project Pan. It wasn’t hugely gripping though and took me quite a while to read. I think the reading experience definitely would have been more enjoyable with a physical copy as the art style was fantastic.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an interesting read, especially as someone who studied Fid Castro for GCSE and didn’t have any idea about Project Pan. It wasn’t hugely gripping though and took me quite a while to read. I think the reading experience definitely would have been more enjoyable with a physical copy as the art style was fantastic.
May 28, 2026
Inspired by the true events of Operation Pedro Pan, four teenagers and their families face heartbreaking decisions in the early days of Castro's Cuba. These four stories give voice to what many of the 14,000 youth would have gone through. Rescued by the Catholic Welfare Bureau from the Communist Regime, many parents sent their children ahead of them to the U.S. for protection. Most were able to join their children later, but some were killed by the regime.
This historical graphic novel is a great introduction to a period of history many will not be familiar with, at a time when it's more important than ever to remember our history, and protect the freedom we have in education, democracy, and the right to speak and read freely.
This historical graphic novel is a great introduction to a period of history many will not be familiar with, at a time when it's more important than ever to remember our history, and protect the freedom we have in education, democracy, and the right to speak and read freely.
May 26, 2026
We Are Pan tells of a time of when Castro rose to power in Cuba and some of what followed. This is the children’s story, the families stories and how one American helped.
I really enjoyed this story, the graphics and the characters. Thank you for sharing this story. I had never heard this side of history and am grateful to have heard it now.
Thanks to NetGalley for an e-ARC of the book.
I really enjoyed this story, the graphics and the characters. Thank you for sharing this story. I had never heard this side of history and am grateful to have heard it now.
Thanks to NetGalley for an e-ARC of the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley,thank you .
This was good and useful. The story was rich and beautifully conveyed. The art was excellent and did what was required to describe the characters and support the story.
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