Luci Soars

As a baby, Luci is surrounded by supportive, loving voices who praise her with the familiar Spanish phrase, “¡Qué linda!” They are so enraptured in their love for her that they don’t realize a remarkable aspect about her—in their world of black and white hues, Luci doesn’t cast a shadow. But as she grows, Luci becomes aware of her lack of a shadow, and she knows that others notice, too. Indeed, they don’t merely notice, but they stare, so she learns “to walk always in other people’s shadows.” But one day at school, she summons the courage and chooses to step into the sunlight. Though she’s met by derisive laughs and scorn from classmates, her courage helps her gain a new perspective—shadows merely keep people tethered to the ground—and she soars into a colorful sky. Delacre’s story is rich with meaning, and in the story’s closing lines, she makes sure readers understand what it is: “I can change how I look at things . . . and you can too.” Delacre skillfully uses the mostly gray-scale illustrations to create both vague discomfort about strangers and open hostility toward Luci, while also setting the stage for Luci’s impactful entry into a world of vibrant color when she gains her new perspective.

From the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Turning Pages by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor comes an emotionally resonant picture book about learning that what sets you apart is often what makes you great.

Luci was born without a shadow. Mama says no one notices. But Luci does. And sometimes others do too. Sometimes they stare, sometimes they tease Luci, and sometimes they make her cry. But when Luci learns to look at what makes her different as a strength, she realizes she has more power than she ever thought. And that her differences can even be a superpower.

From three-time Pura Belpré Award honoree Lulu Delacre comes a heartfelt and uplifting story with a timeless message: what sets you apart is often what makes you great.