Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Atheneum Books for Young Readers (2016), Edition: Reprint, 224 pages
Description
In this poetic memoir Engle, the first Latina woman to receive a Newbery Honor, tells of growing up as a child of two cultures during the Cold War. Her heart was in Cuba, her mother's tropical island country, a place so lush with vibrant life that it seems like a fairy tale kingdom. But most of the time she lived in Los Angeles, lonely in the noisy city and dreaming of the summers when she can take a plane through the enchanted air to her beloved island. When the hostility between Cuba and the United States erupted at the Bay of Pigs Invasion, Engle's worlds collided in the worst way possible. Would she ever get to visit her beautiful island again?
Awards
William Allen White Children's Book Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2018)
Golden Kite Award (Winner — Nonfiction — 2016)
Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award (Winner — 2016)
Skipping Stones Honor Award (2016)
Américas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature (Commended Title — 2016)
Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award (Gold Award — 2015)
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction (Finalist — 2016)
NCTE Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels (Verse Novels — 2016)
Pura Belpré Award (Winner — 2016)
CCBC Choices (Biography and Autobiography — 2016)
Read Aloud Indiana Book Award (High School — 2017)
Notable Children's Book (Older Readers — 2016)
Nerdy Book Award (2015)
Tejas Star Reading List (2019)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Kids (Informational Books for Older Readers — 2015)
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member PeggyDean
A worthy addition to Engle's collection of free verse books about Cuba. Lyrical and sparse, Engle presents an aspect of the Cold War often neglected - the impact on ordinary families splintered by the ban on travel to Cuba. As the author grieves the childhood loss of her Cuban family and
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experiences, what shines through is the universal longing for belonging and freedom of expression. Show Less
LibraryThing member Debra_Armbruster
A memoir of a childhood spent between two cultures.
This would pair well with Jacqueline Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming.
This would pair well with Jacqueline Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming.
LibraryThing member rachel.mcconville
This story is told in verse. It is somewhat autobiographical as the author tells of us immigrating and living in both Cuba and LA. This takes place during the Bay of Pigs and the time of the Cuban revolution.
An easy read.
An easy read.
LibraryThing member trinityM82
This is an interesting look at how a kid copes with being part Cuban during the revolution and Cuban missile crisis. It was told in poems, but it is very simple, obviously for middle school - even upper elementary school students. It had some lovely moments, but overall, not something that could be
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assigned for a whole class Show Less
LibraryThing member Whisper1
This lovely book, written in poetry explores the thoughts and feelings of the author as a young child embracing both the cultures of Cuba, her mother's country, and the United States, the country where she resides.
Visiting Cuba when a child and documenting the rich culture, the air, the markets,
Returning to the United States and learning art, music and culture, the author compares and contrasts the countries.
Writing of her fears during the Cuban Missile crisis enables the reader to feel the pain of Cubans who are impacted dramatically, while focusing on the fears of the United States as Russia and the United States struggle for a peaceful resolution.
Beautiful, insightful and stunningly written, I highly recommend this book.
INVESTIGATED
One day Mami receives a phone call
that makes her look terrified
She calls Dad and begs him to rush hom.
A few minutes later, two men in suits
knock on our door.
Luckily, Dad is home by the time Mami
has to face two grim agents
from the Federal Fureau of Investigation.
FBI
Just like on TV.
Only somehow, now
we are suddenly the bad guys
What's wrong with receiving
phone calls, letters, and packages
from Cuba?
Are we supposed to care less
about Mami's family on the island
than Dad's family -- my grandma
and grandpa, aunts, uncles,
and cousins
who live so close
who live so close
that we see them
every Sunday?
Can one half of my family
really be so much worse
than the other?
If only I could just be myself,
instead of half puzzle
and half riddle.
Visiting Cuba when a child and documenting the rich culture, the air, the markets,
Show More
the colors and the freedom depicted in poetic form by the author lends to a stunningly beautiful rich feeling.Returning to the United States and learning art, music and culture, the author compares and contrasts the countries.
Writing of her fears during the Cuban Missile crisis enables the reader to feel the pain of Cubans who are impacted dramatically, while focusing on the fears of the United States as Russia and the United States struggle for a peaceful resolution.
Beautiful, insightful and stunningly written, I highly recommend this book.
INVESTIGATED
One day Mami receives a phone call
that makes her look terrified
She calls Dad and begs him to rush hom.
A few minutes later, two men in suits
knock on our door.
Luckily, Dad is home by the time Mami
has to face two grim agents
from the Federal Fureau of Investigation.
FBI
Just like on TV.
Only somehow, now
we are suddenly the bad guys
What's wrong with receiving
phone calls, letters, and packages
from Cuba?
Are we supposed to care less
about Mami's family on the island
than Dad's family -- my grandma
and grandpa, aunts, uncles,
and cousins
who live so close
who live so close
that we see them
every Sunday?
Can one half of my family
really be so much worse
than the other?
If only I could just be myself,
instead of half puzzle
and half riddle.
Show Less
LibraryThing member EllenH
I loved this book. It had been recommended to me by a fellow library employee, who told me that she also had loved it and there was so much to think about. True, I had to try to read it slowly as the writing was beautiful and so thoughtful, but also a great story. Engle captures Cuban history with
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rich storytelling so well. I kept trying to think of Mom/daughter friends to share this with. Show Less
ISBN
148143523X / 9781481435239