The Book
“…a complex and moving coming-of-age that’s distinguished by vividly drawn characters and kinetic prose.”
young adult coming-of-age
Monarchs in the Wild
After witnessing the tragic death of a classmate, seventeen-year-old Cal desperately searches for a way out of his blink-and-you’ll-miss-it rural town of La Sombra, California–before he, too, becomes a nobody-migrant statistic.
In the summer of 1994, seventeen-year-old Cal ”California” Garcia can’t seem to escape the gossip and horrified looks of his fellow La Sombra residents. They judge him on nothing more than the long scar on his face, his beat up ’68 Mustang, and always being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Cal constantly feels like he’s been set up to fail. His father left his family after the tragic accident that gave him his scar. His mother spends all her time at church, enchanted by the words of a crooked pastor. And his new-old Mustang brings more trouble and chaos than it’s worth. Everything about being in La Sombra tells him he is and always will be a nothing. But as his senior year is coming to an end, his life is turned drastically upside down. Out by the railroad tracks, Cal finds Nora, valedictorian Nora, fallen off a bridge. The monarch butterflies stitched onto her jeans are seared into his memory forever. Having found her body, Cal becomes a person of interest in Nora’s suspicious death.
As Cal tries to escape suspicion, an opportunity for a way out of La Sombra emerges from nowhere, and Cal is forced to choose his own fate. Will Cal finally decide who he is and where he wants to be? Or will he let circumstance choose for him and live his life as just another statistic in a farm-worker town?
Reviews
“In Israel Moya’s engaging coming-of-age novel Monarchs in the Wild, an aimless teenage boy living in a place with few options considers life after high school.”
“Moya’s portrayal focuses on widespread racism toward Mexican immigrants, poor conditions for farmworkers, and a pervasive sense of hopelessness. . . . Conveys a strong sense of place.”
“Questions of family, religious faith, and belonging drive a complex and moving coming-of-age that’s distinguished by vividly drawn characters and kinetic prose.”
“An immersive story of feeling stuck in a migrant community and a young man’s resilient hope that things can change.”
“An intensely raw and introspective book with a character readers will root for.”
Readers are Saying
“This book is a fantastic journey of self-discovery at a critical time in a young man’s life. The main character, Cal, his struggles, triumphs and surprises make this a great and universally appealing read – but I also really loved how much I learned about life in a part of California where so much is grown! From smelling almond groves and throwing cotton tufts, to getting a view of the lives of the folks who work these fields… It’s got a Steinbeck sort of feel for California. And what an important time in the world to read a relatable story to illuminate the immigrant American and first generation experience.“
“Monarchs in the Wild is a poignant novel that immerses the reader in a quest for belonging and self-discovery in a small, rural town in Southern California. Israel Moya writes with empathy and care for his main character, Cal, and all those who touch his life in both positive and challenging ways. For some readers, this story will be a welcome but much too rare mirror that reflects their own experiences, angst, and fears; while for others, it will be window into a life experience they have yet, but most definitely need to acknowledge and feel.“
“Overall, Monarchs in the Wild is a compelling and thought-provoking debut novel. Its memorable characters, emotional depth, and strong themes make it an excellent read for young adults and anyone who enjoys realistic fiction. I would highly recommend this book because it offers both an engaging story and meaningful insights about growing up, overcoming adversity, and finding one’s place in the world.“
“Cal hopes to fix up his 1968 Mustang but every part he fixes uncovers another need. The disintegrating car is a compelling metaphor for Cal’s view of the future. An atmospheric meditation on growing up without hope and then finding insight in unexpected places.“
“Mr. Moya serves a scrumptious meal for the hungry, a hearty soup for the soul, and a look into life rarely glimpsed, understood, or fully appreciated by anyone considered middle class or above.“
“I don’t know what it’s like to grow up as an outsider in my ostensible home. But Cal, and the author’s writing, make these strange experiences familiar to me. And that’s what great writing should do–use empathy as a cudgel against distance. I’m so glad I read this.“
“Cal is a character any struggling youth can relate to. His inner conflicts and external threats send him on a path to maturity that spoke to my younger self. An amazing read that I cannot wait to share with my son and daughter. Hopefully, it will be required reading in schools by the time they reach of age.”
“His novel, featuring hints of magical realism, remains solidly grounded; patient readers will be treated to a satisfying transformation in which Cal decisively shifts out of neutral and into drive. Moya reaches for something beyond the typical coming-of-age narrative and mostly succeeds with style and immense heart.”
