In the heart of a child's imagination lies Kamchatka, a realm of escape and wonder that ten-year-old Harry clings to amidst the turmoil of Argentina's darkest era. Marcelo Figueras's novel unfolds through the eyes of Harry, whose life is irrevocably altered when his family goes into hiding to evade the menacing grasp of the 1976 coup d'état. With the word "Kamchatka," whispered by his father as their last shared secret, Harry constructs a sanctuary within his mind, a place as remote and untouchable as the real-life Kamchatka Peninsula. In this poignant journey, Figueras masterfully weaves the innocence of youth with the harrowing truths of an adult world torn apart by political violence, creating a narrative that is both deeply moving and filled with a child's unyielding hope. Through a tapestry of sweet and humorous characters, Figueras narrates not just a tale of survival, but an adventure that explores the resilience of the human spirit. As Harry navigates the complexities of his new reality, he learns that protection can sometimes be a prison, and that the stories we tell ourselves, however fantastical, can offer the strength to withstand life's harshest truths. "Kamchatka" becomes more than a story of childhood; it is an elegy to lost innocence and a testament to the enduring power of memory. Figueras invites readers on a journey that is as heartrending as it is uplifting, reminding us that amidst the backdrop of tragedy, there is always a place for wonder.