Ambassador (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder | William Alexander |
| Products | Science fiction novel |
Ambassador is a science fiction novel released in 2015 by William Alexander, followed by its sequel, Nomad, also published in 2015. Both titles were issued by Simon & Schuster and serve as a complement to Alexander’s acclaimed fantasy works for young readers, including the National Book Award-winning Goblin Secrets (2013).
Plot
Gabe Fuentes, an average 11-year-old boy from Minneapolis, Minnesota, embarks on a remarkable adventure that spans multiple worlds. He is chosen by the alien Envoy, a purple extraterrestrial being, to act as Earth’s ambassador to the wider galaxy, where he must manage interstellar diplomacy and conflict resolution. Meanwhile, his Mexican-American family confronts significant struggles related to immigration and deportation.
Characters
The primary figures in the story include:
- Gabe Fuentes: The 11-year-old main character serving as Earth’s Ambassador
- Isabelle Fuentes: Gabe’s mother, a scholar and tutor originally from Guadalajara, Mexico
- Octavio Fuentes: Gabe’s father and professional chef from Guadalajara
- Guadalupe (Lupe) Fuentes: The eldest sibling attending high school
- Noemi and Andrés Fuentes: Twin toddlers aged three
- Envoy: The alien who recruits Gabe for his ambassadorial mission
- Frankie: Gabe’s closest friend, currently residing temporarily in California
- Zora, Garuda, Sir Toby: Gabe’s unusual pets—a parrot, an iguana, and a silver fox
Themes
Alexander delves into the idea of "otherness" through lenses of immigration and personal identity. Drawing from his own background as a second-generation Caribbean immigrant, he frames the narrative as an immigration story woven with science fiction elements. In a 2019 interview, Alexander mentioned that the concepts behind the words "ambassador" and "neoteny" significantly shaped the thematic core of the book, emphasizing ideas of belonging and transformation.
Neoteny
The biological term "neoteny" describes the retention of youthful characteristics into adulthood across various species, including humans. Alexander identifies empathy and curiosity as traits linked to neoteny. Within the novel, the Envoy informs Gabe that “ambassadors should be young...or at least neotenous” (page 36). This idea is used to rationalize unusual animal friendships portrayed through Gabe’s pets—Zora, Garuda, and Sir Toby. Alexander explains that children make ideal ambassadors because they have not yet established rigid social boundaries, making them uniquely suited for intergalactic representation.
Alien identity
The story addresses the notion of being "alien" by highlighting Gabe's family’s immigrant experiences. Gabe learns that his mother, father, and sister lack legal immigration status. His parents are detained by ICE following a traffic stop, while his sister Lupe reveals academic difficulties stemming from discouragement by a counselor biased against students with uncertain immigration status. Lupe self-identifies as "illegal," underscoring systemic obstacles faced by undocumented individuals. Gabe struggles to reconcile communicating with extraterrestrials while confronting his family’s marginalized status on Earth.
Immigration
Isabelle and Octavio Fuentes hail from Guadalajara, Mexico ("tapatíos"), and their household preserves Mexican customs such as favoring "Mexican Coke" and speaking a mix of Spanish, English, and Spanglish. As Gabe prepares for his role as Ambassador, he encounters U.S. immigration officials and gains awareness of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). He carries his birth certificate when visiting ICE offices to verify his citizenship. Through discussions with his father, Gabe learns about immigration processes: his mother’s release “on recognizance” and his father’s decade-long reentry ban following previous deportation. These experiences highlight the immigrant challenges central to the novel’s narrative.
Awards and Honors
- Recipient of the Eleanor Cameron Award
- Selected by the Junior Library Guild
- Finalist for the International Latino Book Award
- Minnesota Book Award Finalist
Reviews and Critiques
Hector Tobar from The New York Times characterizes the novel as "a compelling and insightful allegory reflecting the pain and alienation experienced by contemporary immigrants," noting its effective use of science fiction to explore American immigration issues. Tobar compares The Envoy, portrayed as an “alien” visitor to Earth, with Gabe’s family, who are considered “alien” within the United States, underscoring how both groups remain hidden and shielded from broader society. He further observes that although The Envoy's arrival was unforeseen, the immigration struggles faced by Gabe’s family proved to be even more disruptive.
Sarah Hunter of Booklist commends Ambassador for skillfully blending profound themes with an engaging sci-fi narrative, addressing the notion of alienation without resorting to overt moralizing. She emphasizes the novel’s intricate sci-fi components alongside its thoughtful engagement with politically charged topics related to American politics.