A Chicago Public Library Best Picture Book of 2025 Clara and her family are forced to leave everything behind in this poignant but hopeful story of forced migration, told through the eyes of a young refugee. "We all carry our special homes with us – in our backpacks and pockets, and in our hearts." Every day Clara and her family walk a long way. Sometimes they talk and joke, sometimes they must hide and keep silent. At night, in their village of tents, Clara visits her new friends to hear about their special homes: the things that light up the darkness for them. But Clara hopes someday soon their journey will end, and she can put down her backpack and find a safe place for her special home to stay. A Chicago Public Library Best Picture Book of 2025 'Both poignant and buoyant: a touching tribute to love and the endurance of the human spirit.' — Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review 'A family's forced migration prompts a new way of seeing home in this sensitively rendered tale of change. Arresting.' — Publishers Weekly, Starred Review 'A superb book that evokes empathy for families facing forced migration, examining the topic in an accessible way for children.' — BookPage, Starred Review 'The text, smoothly translated from Spanish, addresses a difficult topic in a hopeful, accessible way but touches on the journey's difficulties.' — Horn Book 'A picture book strong in family connections and positivity.' — Midwest Book Review 'Despite her trying journey, Clara is sweet and soft, and her love of art winds through the book, with her own drawings of the stories of the people she meets intertwining and dancing beautifully with the reality around her.' — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 'Celebrates family and connections which emerge even from seeing homelessness and nomadic travel, making for a picture book strong in family connections and positivity.' — Donovan's Literary Services 'A fantastic way to show children what migration is or to help children who had to migrate reflect on their journey. This story shows the difficulty of migration while also highlighting the beauty of community and family.' —Adrien Carter, YA Books Central 'Perrella's text and Salerno's illustrations capture the invisible: the things we carry within us.' — Words Without Borders A tender story... Students who have experienced transition will see themselves in Clara�s story, while others will gain insight into the sacrifices and hopes that come with leaving everything behind. Ultimately, the book affirms that home lives within us, wherever we may go. — Two Writing Teachers 'The story is told simply, and with empathy for the plight of so many in the world today. A reminder to children who hear the story that they have much in common with children of the world, despite their differing circumstances.' — Sal's Fiction Addiction 'Lovely. This is a good choice for the conditions in today's world.' — First Thursday Book Reviews Eugenia Perrella is a journalist and children's author from Buenos Aires, Argentina. She specializes in international news and brings her passion for keeping others informed into her writing for children. Eugenia is the author of more than a dozen children's books. Angela Salerno is a graphic designer and illustrator from Argentina, whose work often highlights social justice issues. Angela has illustrated several children's books. She lives in Valencia, Spain.