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keepingyouonread's review
5.0
“Hatred comes from ignorance. That’s why it’s good to learn about each other’s customs and traditions.”
This is a must read. Letters From Cuba is a juvenile fiction book told in letters that Esther is writing to younger sister, Malka. Esther starts her letters prior to leaving her home, mother and younger siblings in Poland to join her father in Cuba. Esther’s father has been trying to save enough money to get the family out ahead of WWII.
Things are tense in Poland in 1938 and Esther is surprised that Cubans consider her Polish, when her native country considers her Jewish. She learns how to stay true to her Jewish-roots while also embracing her new home and the cultures of her neighbors. It’s not all sunshine and roses as Esther must face Nazi-sympathizers and those that believe the Jewish immigrants are taking jobs from Cubans. She and her father also must work hard to save enough to get her family to Cuba, with the risk being that they may not be allowed into the country.
What I liked: I read this book in a day and it’s written pretty simply for a middle school reader but it’s so powerful. Through Esther, the reader is shown a slice of history but also taught to learn about other cultures and to love thy neighbor.
In a short period of time, Esther is able to bring together her neighbors: a white doctor and his wife, a family descendant of slaves and Chinese immigrants. When her father expressed unease over inviting them all to a Passover dinner, Esther believes kindness will persevere.
While Esther encounters anti-Semitism, I was surprised by the amount of people who were kind and gave freely when they had little. A quote on the front says this book “will reaffirm your faith in humanity” and it does. And the quote that I started this review with rings true, now more than ever, we can’t remain ignorant and we must be open to learn from each other and recognize that we all come from different places but want similar things. “They’re our neighbors and deserve to be treated with respect.”
I normally end with “read if” but in this case, I believe everyone should read this book. I read a news article recently that said a number of young people had little knowledge of the atrocities of the Holocaust. This only reiterates to me that the tragic events of the past cannot be forgotten or repeated; and through Esther perhaps we too can learn.
This is a must read. Letters From Cuba is a juvenile fiction book told in letters that Esther is writing to younger sister, Malka. Esther starts her letters prior to leaving her home, mother and younger siblings in Poland to join her father in Cuba. Esther’s father has been trying to save enough money to get the family out ahead of WWII.
Things are tense in Poland in 1938 and Esther is surprised that Cubans consider her Polish, when her native country considers her Jewish. She learns how to stay true to her Jewish-roots while also embracing her new home and the cultures of her neighbors. It’s not all sunshine and roses as Esther must face Nazi-sympathizers and those that believe the Jewish immigrants are taking jobs from Cubans. She and her father also must work hard to save enough to get her family to Cuba, with the risk being that they may not be allowed into the country.
What I liked: I read this book in a day and it’s written pretty simply for a middle school reader but it’s so powerful. Through Esther, the reader is shown a slice of history but also taught to learn about other cultures and to love thy neighbor.
In a short period of time, Esther is able to bring together her neighbors: a white doctor and his wife, a family descendant of slaves and Chinese immigrants. When her father expressed unease over inviting them all to a Passover dinner, Esther believes kindness will persevere.
While Esther encounters anti-Semitism, I was surprised by the amount of people who were kind and gave freely when they had little. A quote on the front says this book “will reaffirm your faith in humanity” and it does. And the quote that I started this review with rings true, now more than ever, we can’t remain ignorant and we must be open to learn from each other and recognize that we all come from different places but want similar things. “They’re our neighbors and deserve to be treated with respect.”
I normally end with “read if” but in this case, I believe everyone should read this book. I read a news article recently that said a number of young people had little knowledge of the atrocities of the Holocaust. This only reiterates to me that the tragic events of the past cannot be forgotten or repeated; and through Esther perhaps we too can learn.
rhodesee's review
4.0
Letters From Cuba is an epistolary novel that tells the story of a family separated due to the rise of Nazism and increasingly unsafe condition for Jews in Europe before the second world war. Esther and her father are in Cuba working to bring the rest of their family over from Poland. Esther find success making and selling dresses which gives them hope that the rest of the family will be able to join them sooner rather than later. We learn their story through letters that Esther is writing to her sister Malka. Through Esther's letters we learn about their lives in Cuba and the community that they have found there. In the author's note we learn that Esther is based on Ruth Behar's grandmother and that she was also inspired by 'Letter's From Rifka' by Karen Hesse which is a book I absolutely loved a kid. All in all I really enjoyed this story and think it is a great addition to the WWII set juvenile historical fiction fare.
jenifera2's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Such a wonderful story of a young Polish Jewish girl and her father as they make Cuba home as refugees. Different cultures coming together, supporting and loving one another during difficult times.
yapha's review
5.0
When I think of Jews fleeing Europe to escape the Holocaust, I don't really think of Cuba. However, when the United States closed its borders, many Jews chose to go to Cuba, as close to America as they could get. This book is based on the story of the author's grandmother who traveled alone to meet up with her father in Cuba. Together they worked to bring over the rest of the family from Poland. It is clearly written with love and brings the reader right into the heart of the Levin family. I would have loved to read it as a 5th grader and I'm grateful that it exists now. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley.
eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley.
crypticbutton's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
averyjane's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism
cedardleland's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
4.0
lrcartee's review
3.0
Esther’s father immigrated to Cuba as the persecution of Jews worsened in Poland pre-World War II. His goal was to work, save money and send for the rest of his family. As enough money was saved to send one family member to join him, Esther begged to be the one sent. Her father and mother eventually relented and she joined her father to help him work and save money so the rest of their family could join them.
I liked the premise of this story and did not realize Cuba was such a haven for the Jewish refugees. I did feel at times the storytelling aspect was a little stilted and convenient. Even as a Nazi sympathizer was introduced, that aspect of the story was glossed over and never really went anywhere. This is not enough of a reason not to read it, however. I just thought maybe the storytelling could have dug a little deeper.
I liked the premise of this story and did not realize Cuba was such a haven for the Jewish refugees. I did feel at times the storytelling aspect was a little stilted and convenient. Even as a Nazi sympathizer was introduced, that aspect of the story was glossed over and never really went anywhere. This is not enough of a reason not to read it, however. I just thought maybe the storytelling could have dug a little deeper.
aliebreads5's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25