Cuarto oscuro: Recuerdos en blanco y negro

Gr 4–8—The author's Darkroom: A Memoir in Black and White is now available in a remarkable Spanish translation. This graphic novel describes her life as an immigrant from Argentina living in Marion, AL, during the civil rights movement. Weaver does not tell her story chronologically; instead the narrative flits back and forth between indelible images from the present and the past. As a child, she tries to make sense of the protestors at a nearby church. The young Lila interacts with African American students as her school is slowly integrated. Her thoughts on racism is influenced by her point of view as a light-skinned Argentinian who is on the outside and on the receiving end of prejudice. As indicated by the title, the author uses the imagery of photography to tie the narrative together. Her father was an amateur photographer who built makeshift darkrooms wherever the family lived. Vázquez's translation is thoughtful and diligent. This is a stunning, original piece of work distinguished for its design but, more important, for its unique perspective on a very timely subject.