The liars of Mariposa Island / Mathieu, Jennifer

"Every year, summer begins when the Callahans arrive on Mariposa Island. That's when Elena Finney gets to escape her unstable, controlling mother by babysitting for their two children. And the summer of 1986 promises to be extra special when she meets J.C., the new boy in town, whose kisses make Elena feel like she's been transported to a new world. Joaquin Finney can't imagine why anyone would want to come to Mariposa Island. He just graduated from high school and dreams about going to California to find his father and escape his mother's manipulation. 'The Liars of Mariposa Island' follows siblings Elena and Joaquin, with flashbacks to their mother's experience as a teenage refugee fleeing the Cuban revolution"--Amazon.com.

In 1986, siblings Elena and Joaquin Finney struggle with their manipulative, alcoholic mother and look for any way to escape Mariposa Island. Elena starts babysitting for a visiting family and sneaking off with a new boyfriend while Joaquin dreams of finding his estranged father in California. Meanwhile, their mother reflects on life in the 1950s as the daughter of wealthy white Cubans who sent her to the United States during the Cuban revolution where she experienced the turmoil of being an outcast immigrant in Texas. After Joaquin makes a startling discovery, the lies and secrets that have defined their family come to light.

"Every year, summer begins when the Callahans arrive on Mariposa Island. That's when Elena Finney gets to escape her unstable, controlling mother by babysitting for their two children. And the summer of 1986 promises to be extra special when she meets J.C., the new boy in town, whose kisses make Elena feel like she's been transported to a new world. Joaquin Finney can't imagine why anyone would want to come to Mariposa Island. He just graduated from high school and dreams about going to California to find his father and escape his mother's manipulation. 'The Liars of Mariposa Island' follows siblings Elena and Joaquin, with flashbacks to their mother's experience as a teenage refugee fleeing the Cuban revolution"--Amazon.com.