What If Fish

by Anika Fajardo

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

From Minnesota to Colombia
and back again

Half-Colombian Eddie Aguado has never really felt Colombian. Especially after Papa died. And since Mama keeps her memories of Papa locked up where Eddie can’t get to them, he only has Papa’s third-place fishing tournament medal to remember him by. He’ll have to figure out how to be more Colombian on his own.

2021 Minnesota Book Award Winner

2021 CCBC Choices selection

Finalist, International Latino Book Award 2021

Finalist, Rhode Island Latino Books Award 2022

NYPL’s Must-Read for Hispanic Heritage Month

What If a Fish — Cover illustration by Paola Escobar

“A captivating narrative voice, deftly managed plot, and complex characters propel a story exploring identity, grief, loss, friendship, and, above all, love and family.”

— CCBC

“Fajardo’s honest, heartfelt text evokes sorrow and grief but also understanding, navigating the many complexities of identity, friendship, family, loss, and death.”

— Booklist

“A gentle story that explores the depths of grief, the loss of loved ones, the expanses of family, and the building blocks that make all of us human.”

— Mr. Alex’s Bookshelf

Find the book

Amazon | IndieBound | S&S
WorldCat | Goodreads

Buy

Find activities

Printable teacher’s guides and activity sheets

Watch the book trailer!

“Minneapolis author Anika Fajardo’s first middle-grade novel mines painful life lessons and in its magical middle section, it sings. ”

— Star Tribune

“A whimsical and inviting #OwnVoices story of family, friendship, and identity.”

— School Library Journal

A little more about the author

Anika has kept a journal since she was in fourth grade. She started writing stories and poems after reading Little Women and Anne of Green Gables, two books that have main characters who like to write. A few of Anika’s favorite books back then were The Dark Is Rising series, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, and The Westing Game.

Her love of books brought her a career in words. She has taught elementary and middle school kids, college students, and adults. Anika likes reading so much, she eventually became a librarian for both adults and children. Some of her favorite books for children now are Raymie Nightingale, See You in the Cosmos, Mr. and Mrs. Bunny: Detectives Extraordinaire, and Moving Target.