"[Lion Island] tenderly exposes the rage and hope that can exist within the same heart. A fierce portrait of a young man's discovery of power through words."

– Kirkus Reviews

* “A beautifully written, thought-provoking work from a highly regarded author and poet.”

– School Library Journal, starred review

“Once again, Engle weaves fact and fiction to create a lyrical tale. Like Antonio, readers will discover the power of words and the importance of documenting stories.”

– Horn Book

“This poetic glimpse into Cuba’s troubled past shines a light on an important human-rights activist and will pique readers’ curiosity about Cuba’s complicated history.”

– Booklist

“An engaging historical novel written in verse [that] touches upon many different themes, including privilege, equity, racism, and the power of words, and offers an intriguing view of Cuban history parallel to our own in the United States. It would be an exemplary addition to any library collection. Highly Recommended.”

– School Library Connection

“Engle's characters speak eloquently about gender inequality, racial injustice, and becoming a "warrior of words" through diplomatic and written means.”

– Publishers Weekly