We Are Pan

by Andre R. Frattino, Yasmín Flores Montañez (Illustrator)

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.

Genres: History, Graphic Novels, Historical, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels Comics

184 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 2, 2026

Reviews

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

*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 they had the cojones to show a scene of anti-Castro dissenters getting shot against a wall in the street. I mean, aren't we supposed to pretend that communist regimes are full of benevolence and kindness and never, ever, ever violently murder their citizens in broad daylight like that? We're all going to live on a communal farm and create art and dance in the flowers, right?

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.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[sniksnak · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[katescleanreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Joey Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Kira K · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.”

[Ashley Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Abby Aguilera · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Thom · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Ashleigh Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Charlotte Hendle · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Khadija · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Emily]

From Multiversity Comics: "a fictionalized account of children who were airlifted out of Cuba and taken into the US after Fidel Castro came to power."