Spring 2026

Red Stones

A Graphic Account of the Salvadoran Civil War

  • Interest Level: Grade 9 - Grade 12
  • Reading Level: Grade 8

In 1981, the Salvadoran Civil War reached Miriam’s village of Santa Marta.

After spending her days bringing tortillas to the guerilla fighters nearby, she watched government soldiers encroach on her town. Military intimidation turned to violence, and violence turned to the threat of a massacre. Miriam and the women of her town began a forced and desperate exodus.

In 2021, Ernesto Saade visited Santa Marta to hear Miriam’s story.

The result of that in-depth conversation is this graphic account of conflict, displacement, and the Red Stones massacre. This event, not known by all even within El Salvador, is one part of the scar its civil war left behind—a moment of tragedy and resilience seen through the eyes of someone who lived it.

Format Your Price Add
978-1-7284-9063-2
On pre-order until 03/03/2026
$23.99
979-8-7656-7136-8
On pre-order until 03/03/2026
$17.99
979-8-7656-7515-1
On pre-order until 03/03/2026
$35.99
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Interest Level Grade 9 - Grade 12
Reading Level Grade 8
Genre Graphic Novels, Social Studies, Young Adult
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction, Diverse Books: Immigration & Refugees, Diverse Books: Social Class, Diverse Books: Social Justice, Diversity, SEL: A Self-Awareness, SEL: B Self-Management, SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: D Relationship Skills, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2026
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Graphic Universe ™
Language English
Number of Pages 216
Publication Date 2026-03-03
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS YAN012020, YAN025060, YAN051260
Dewey 972.84/26052
Dimensions 7 x 9
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Author/Illustrator note, and Original artwork

Author, Illustrator: Ernesto Saade

Ernesto Saade is an El Salvador-born architect turned cartoonist. After years spent in the world of construction work, he left to pursue his master’s degree in illustration and comics from the Barcelona School of Design and Engineering. Now, he works at a non-governmental organization that allows him to devote 100% of his time to drawing comics.