Silenced Voices

By Pablo Leon

Price: $26.99

Silenced Voices Book Cover Enlarge Book Cover

Silenced Voices

By Pablo Leon

Price: $26.99

About the Book

In this moving intergenerational tale perfect for fans of Messy Roots and Illegal, Eisner-nominated creator Pablo Leon combines historical research of the Guatemalan Civil War with his own experiences as a Guatemalan immigrant to depict a powerful story of family, sacrifice, survival, and hope.

Langley Park, Maryland, 2013

Brothers Jose and Charlie know very little about their mother’s life in Guatemala, until Jose grows curious about the ongoing genocide trial of Efrain Rios Montt. At first his mother, Clara, shuts his questions down. But as the trial progresses, she begins to open up to her sons about a time in her life that she’s left buried for years. 

Peten, Guatemala, 1982

Sisters Clara and Elena hear about the armed conflict every day, but the violence somehow seems far away from their small village. But the day the fight comes to their doorstep, the sisters are separated and are forced to flee through the mountains, leaving them to wonder…Have their paths diverged forever?


Product Details

ISBN: 9780063223561
Imprint: HarperAlley
On Sale: Sep 2, 2025
List price: $26.99
No of pages: 240
Trim Size: 6.450 in (w) x 9.300 in (h) x 0.800 in (d)
BISAC 1: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Historical
BISAC 2: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Coming of Age
BISAC 3: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Family / Siblings *
BISAC 4:
BISAC 5:
BISAC 6:

Pablo Leon

Biography

Pablo Leon is an author and artist from Guatemala, currently living in Los Angeles, California, and jumping between the TV animation and comics industries. His original comic, The Journey, an account of an unaccompanied child coming from Central America to the US, was a 2019 Eisner Award nominee, and he was the illustrator for the exciting middle grade graphic novel Miles Morales: Shock Waves and its follow-up, Stranger Tides. He’s worked with Disney, Warner Bros, and Nickelodeon, and when not working he enjoys cooking alongside his two helper cats, Agave and Moth.

Reviews

“A gripping tale across generations. Leon shows us all how the most harrowing memories should spark hope.” — Sara Alfageeh, bestselling creator of Squire

“A monumental work of historical memory.”  — Julio Anta, Eisner nominated author of Frontera and Speak Up, Santiago!

“A powerful story that gives voice to millions of forgotten and displaced people from Central America.” — Robin Ha, bestselling creator of Almost American Girl

“A heart wrenching tale of the brutality and healing that happens when we shed light on family trauma.” — Victoria Ying, author and illustrator of Harvey Award-winner Hungry Ghost

“A stirring story about the power of familial bonds and historical recollection in the face of grief, fear, and hopelessness.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A beautiful, timely reminder that hope is never out of reach.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

About the Book

In this moving intergenerational tale perfect for fans of Messy Roots and Illegal, Eisner-nominated creator Pablo Leon combines historical research of the Guatemalan Civil War with his own experiences as a Guatemalan immigrant to depict a powerful story of family, sacrifice, survival, and hope.

Langley Park, Maryland, 2013

Brothers Jose and Charlie know very little about their mother’s life in Guatemala, until Jose grows curious about the ongoing genocide trial of Efrain Rios Montt. At first his mother, Clara, shuts his questions down. But as the trial progresses, she begins to open up to her sons about a time in her life that she’s left buried for years. 

Peten, Guatemala, 1982

Sisters Clara and Elena hear about the armed conflict every day, but the violence somehow seems far away from their small village. But the day the fight comes to their doorstep, the sisters are separated and are forced to flee through the mountains, leaving them to wonder…Have their paths diverged forever?


Product Details

ISBN: 9780063223561
Imprint: HarperAlley
On Sale: Sep 2, 2025
List price: $26.99
No of pages: 240
Trim Size: 6.450 in (w) x 9.300 in (h) x 0.800 in (d)
BISAC 1: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Historical
BISAC 2: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Coming of Age
BISAC 3: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Family / Siblings *
BISAC 4:
BISAC 5:
BISAC 6:

Pablo Leon

Biography

Pablo Leon is an author and artist from Guatemala, currently living in Los Angeles, California, and jumping between the TV animation and comics industries. His original comic, The Journey, an account of an unaccompanied child coming from Central America to the US, was a 2019 Eisner Award nominee, and he was the illustrator for the exciting middle grade graphic novel Miles Morales: Shock Waves and its follow-up, Stranger Tides. He’s worked with Disney, Warner Bros, and Nickelodeon, and when not working he enjoys cooking alongside his two helper cats, Agave and Moth.

Reviews

“A gripping tale across generations. Leon shows us all how the most harrowing memories should spark hope.” — Sara Alfageeh, bestselling creator of Squire

“A monumental work of historical memory.”  — Julio Anta, Eisner nominated author of Frontera and Speak Up, Santiago!

“A powerful story that gives voice to millions of forgotten and displaced people from Central America.” — Robin Ha, bestselling creator of Almost American Girl

“A heart wrenching tale of the brutality and healing that happens when we shed light on family trauma.” — Victoria Ying, author and illustrator of Harvey Award-winner Hungry Ghost

“A stirring story about the power of familial bonds and historical recollection in the face of grief, fear, and hopelessness.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A beautiful, timely reminder that hope is never out of reach.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

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