Author Published Graphic Novel About Pedro Pan Program

University of Florida alum Andre Frattino released a new work exploring the history of Cuban children in the 1960s.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Comic Books

Bold vector editorial illustration of a vintage suitcase and a ticket stub, evoking the history of the 1960s Pedro Pan program. — University of Florida alumnus Andre Frattino has released 'We Are Pan,' a new graphic novel documenting the historical experiences of Cuban children during the 1960s. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

University of Florida alumnus Andre Frattino has published a new graphic novel titled We Are Pan. The book offers a collection of fictionalized retellings based on the experiences of children involved in the Pedro Pan program.

Why it matters

The Pedro Pan program served as a conduit for tens of thousands of Cuban children to relocate to the United States during the 1960s. Many families sent their children abroad during this time to escape the threat of indoctrination by the Castro regime.

The graphic novel depicts events from the 1960s, a decade when tens of thousands of children were sent from Cuba to the United States.

The players

Andre Frattino

He is a University of Florida alumnus and the author of the new graphic novel We Are Pan.

Matheson History Museum

This Gainesville institution preserves local history and will host an author event for the release of the new graphic novel.

The details

The graphic novel features narratives that are fictionalized adaptations of historical accounts from the program. Families utilized the initiative to ensure their children were not subjected to the influence of the Cuban regime.

The Pedro Pan exodus occurred throughout the 1960s.
The author event at the Matheson History Museum takes place on October 1, 2026, at 7 p.m.

Culture Shift

This work aligns with a long-term cultural trend of using the graphic novel medium to preserve the oral histories and personal narratives of the Pedro Pan program for younger generations.

Residents of Gainesville have the opportunity to attend an author event at the Matheson History Museum to engage directly with the work. The book offers readers a new way to interact with the history of the 1960s Cuban exodus.

The takeaway

Graphic novels can transform complex historical events into accessible narratives that resonate with contemporary audiences. Readers interested in history may benefit from exploring these fictionalized accounts to better understand the personal struggles behind mass migration.