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captainwinter's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
4.5****
Lucia Alvarez is at the beach with her little brother, Frankie, when she notices a loud rumble. She’s surprised to see a parade of large trucks, loaded with soldiers. Their small town of Puerto Mujares, Cuba has never seen such a military movement. But it is 1961 and the Revolution is changing everything in Cuba. Before long she’ll no longer be anticipating her quinceanera party, but wondering how her best friend could have turned on her, and worrying how she and her family will get through this. When her parents make the difficult decision to send Lucia and seven-year-old Frankie to the United States, Lucia must grow up quickly and take on the responsibility of keeping herself and her brother safe.
This children’s novel is a very good work of historical fiction. Lucia narration shows her growth from an innocent young girl, to a responsible young lady. The reader sees how she chafes against what she sees as her parent’s unnecessary restrictions, and lets her own teen-aged desires begin to lead her away from them. The effects of peer pressure are all too evident, as are the dangers of misplaced trust and fascination with adventure. But Gonzalez gives us a heroine who is able to think and decide on her own what path to follow. Lucia is intelligent, sensitive, kind and courageous. While she embraces the new life in America, she continues to recall the life lessons imparted by her mother and father. Chiefly she remembers her mother’s large red umbrella, which becomes a symbol for strength of family.
There’s a fair amount of Spanish used, but context will explain almost all of those words and phrases, and the book includes a glossary with translations. I think some of the situations – parents held at gunpoint, a hanging – are pretty heavy, but would definitely recommend it for middle-school readers.
Lucia Alvarez is at the beach with her little brother, Frankie, when she notices a loud rumble. She’s surprised to see a parade of large trucks, loaded with soldiers. Their small town of Puerto Mujares, Cuba has never seen such a military movement. But it is 1961 and the Revolution is changing everything in Cuba. Before long she’ll no longer be anticipating her quinceanera party, but wondering how her best friend could have turned on her, and worrying how she and her family will get through this. When her parents make the difficult decision to send Lucia and seven-year-old Frankie to the United States, Lucia must grow up quickly and take on the responsibility of keeping herself and her brother safe.
This children’s novel is a very good work of historical fiction. Lucia narration shows her growth from an innocent young girl, to a responsible young lady. The reader sees how she chafes against what she sees as her parent’s unnecessary restrictions, and lets her own teen-aged desires begin to lead her away from them. The effects of peer pressure are all too evident, as are the dangers of misplaced trust and fascination with adventure. But Gonzalez gives us a heroine who is able to think and decide on her own what path to follow. Lucia is intelligent, sensitive, kind and courageous. While she embraces the new life in America, she continues to recall the life lessons imparted by her mother and father. Chiefly she remembers her mother’s large red umbrella, which becomes a symbol for strength of family.
There’s a fair amount of Spanish used, but context will explain almost all of those words and phrases, and the book includes a glossary with translations. I think some of the situations – parents held at gunpoint, a hanging – are pretty heavy, but would definitely recommend it for middle-school readers.
gmamartha's review against another edition
3.0
Nope - never heard this aspect of the history either. I learn so much from middle school fiction!
shhchar's review against another edition
5.0
This is a really heart-warming and sad story at the same time. It taught me a lot of things from the revolution. 5/5 stars.
stephxsu's review against another edition
4.0
I have never read a novel like Christina Gonzalez’s debut, THE RED UMBRELLA. This is a necessary story about an aspect of Cuban American history that has not received enough attention in YA literature—and best of all, it’s extremely well written and engaging!
Gonzalez writes convincingly of all her characters. Lucia is partly your average teenager, desiring friendship, love, acceptance, and pretty things. Her parents are a believable blend of loving, strict, and worried, and Frankie is a cute and appropriately occasionally annoying younger brother. The way the story follows Lucia through this difficult time in her life, however, is a miraculous achievement: my heart ached as I read about the difficulties she faced, and I saw a distinct, yet subtle, growth in her as she realizes the extent to which Castro’s takeover would affect her life.
The pacing and plot were a little uneven, though, and thus not as fulfilling as it could’ve been. The first two-thirds of the book takes place within a few fast and furious months in Cuba, as the revolution starts taking over Cubans’ lives. This part of the book is great, as we see Lucia and her family struggling to remain true to themselves in the face of so much propaganda and pressure. However, when Lucia and Frankie spend time with the elderly white couple in Nebraska while they await news of their parents, time sees to stop and go in choppy bits, covering more than half a year in just a few dozen pages. As a result, I felt that Lucia’s adjustment to American life and subsequent maturation were rushed, and that the characters in this section of the book were underdeveloped.
Pacing aside, this was a fantastic read, great for everyone. The Alvarezes are a family to cheer for throughout the whole story. Never before have I seen this aspect of Cuban American history discussed in such an approachable and sympathetic manner. I am thankful for this book, hope others will strongly consider reading it when it comes out, and definitely look forward to anything Christina has next for us!
Gonzalez writes convincingly of all her characters. Lucia is partly your average teenager, desiring friendship, love, acceptance, and pretty things. Her parents are a believable blend of loving, strict, and worried, and Frankie is a cute and appropriately occasionally annoying younger brother. The way the story follows Lucia through this difficult time in her life, however, is a miraculous achievement: my heart ached as I read about the difficulties she faced, and I saw a distinct, yet subtle, growth in her as she realizes the extent to which Castro’s takeover would affect her life.
The pacing and plot were a little uneven, though, and thus not as fulfilling as it could’ve been. The first two-thirds of the book takes place within a few fast and furious months in Cuba, as the revolution starts taking over Cubans’ lives. This part of the book is great, as we see Lucia and her family struggling to remain true to themselves in the face of so much propaganda and pressure. However, when Lucia and Frankie spend time with the elderly white couple in Nebraska while they await news of their parents, time sees to stop and go in choppy bits, covering more than half a year in just a few dozen pages. As a result, I felt that Lucia’s adjustment to American life and subsequent maturation were rushed, and that the characters in this section of the book were underdeveloped.
Pacing aside, this was a fantastic read, great for everyone. The Alvarezes are a family to cheer for throughout the whole story. Never before have I seen this aspect of Cuban American history discussed in such an approachable and sympathetic manner. I am thankful for this book, hope others will strongly consider reading it when it comes out, and definitely look forward to anything Christina has next for us!
a_kira's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
5.0
Lucía Álvarez is your typical teenage girl. She has a crush on cute Manuel, she and her best friend Ivette are interested in all the latest fashions and movies, and she's trying to fit in at school. So when Fidel Castro cancels classes, her only thought is enjoying her unexpected freedom. She slowly realizes how dangerous things are becoming in her country. Finally, her parents break the news that Lucía and her younger brother Frankie are being sent to America, where they don't know anyone, all alone.
My father-in-law is Cuban and he was about Lucía's age when he left Cuba on one of the so-called Pedro Pan flights. He was fortunate to have family waiting for him in America. Because of him, I am fascinated by this country's history. To think that my father-in-law lived through a revolution and is part of a community that still in large part considers themselves to be exiles 50 years later. It just blows my mind. So when I came across this book, I knew I had to read it.
I loved it. It works precisely because Lucía is the girl next door. There's nothing that really stands out about her, and I don't mean that in a bad way at all. She's a nice girl just trying to grow up and worrying about her first dance. Most of us can probably relate. As the revolution insidiously intrudes on her life, she is horrified and terrified. She sees things that no 14-year-old girl should see.
And then she's in America alone with her seven-year-old brother. She speaks very little English and doesn't know anyone. So now there's the immigrant experience as she learns about a new culture and new people and tries her best to fit in at a new school. And she's still trying to grow up the best she can. She's also worried about her parents back home in Cuba, who are standing out because they aren't supporting the revolution. Dangerous choices.
The title The Red Umbrella is absolutely perfect. I thought it was kind of odd at first, but it's quickly explained and becomes one of the book's major themes. Its symbolism almost had me in tears a few times.
It was scary to see how Castro indoctrinated the children of Cuba so quickly. Seven-year-old Frankie already had some unusual ideas from his teachers at school. Parents were pressured into sending their children to volunteer to teach other children out in the country. This was really just an excuse to teach Castro's ideals to impressionable children/teens away from their parents for the first time. Lucía's friend Ivette has a difficult story arc to read. She's so young, how is she supposed to stand against this ideology being pushed at her on all sides?
I read Carlos Eire's memoir, [b:Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy|201113|Waiting for Snow in Havana Confessions of a Cuban Boy|Carlos Eire|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266494878s/201113.jpg|83317] several years ago and enjoyed that look into Cuban life. I related to The Red Umbrella a little easier because it's told from Lucía's point of view. I'm all about the girl next door, but I don't have much in common with overly-rambunctious boys telling the same story.
Still, I loved this and highly recommend it. Not only for the history, but to meet likable Lucía and to see how she deals with her new home.
My father-in-law is Cuban and he was about Lucía's age when he left Cuba on one of the so-called Pedro Pan flights. He was fortunate to have family waiting for him in America. Because of him, I am fascinated by this country's history. To think that my father-in-law lived through a revolution and is part of a community that still in large part considers themselves to be exiles 50 years later. It just blows my mind. So when I came across this book, I knew I had to read it.
I loved it. It works precisely because Lucía is the girl next door. There's nothing that really stands out about her, and I don't mean that in a bad way at all. She's a nice girl just trying to grow up and worrying about her first dance. Most of us can probably relate. As the revolution insidiously intrudes on her life, she is horrified and terrified. She sees things that no 14-year-old girl should see.
And then she's in America alone with her seven-year-old brother. She speaks very little English and doesn't know anyone. So now there's the immigrant experience as she learns about a new culture and new people and tries her best to fit in at a new school. And she's still trying to grow up the best she can. She's also worried about her parents back home in Cuba, who are standing out because they aren't supporting the revolution. Dangerous choices.
The title The Red Umbrella is absolutely perfect. I thought it was kind of odd at first, but it's quickly explained and becomes one of the book's major themes. Its symbolism almost had me in tears a few times.
It was scary to see how Castro indoctrinated the children of Cuba so quickly. Seven-year-old Frankie already had some unusual ideas from his teachers at school. Parents were pressured into sending their children to volunteer to teach other children out in the country. This was really just an excuse to teach Castro's ideals to impressionable children/teens away from their parents for the first time. Lucía's friend Ivette has a difficult story arc to read. She's so young, how is she supposed to stand against this ideology being pushed at her on all sides?
I read Carlos Eire's memoir, [b:Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy|201113|Waiting for Snow in Havana Confessions of a Cuban Boy|Carlos Eire|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266494878s/201113.jpg|83317] several years ago and enjoyed that look into Cuban life. I related to The Red Umbrella a little easier because it's told from Lucía's point of view. I'm all about the girl next door, but I don't have much in common with overly-rambunctious boys telling the same story.
Still, I loved this and highly recommend it. Not only for the history, but to meet likable Lucía and to see how she deals with her new home.
gkreads18's review against another edition
3.0
I read it for school and it wasn't as bad as people made it seem. It was good.