Reviews

Letters from Cuba by Ruth Behar

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.

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

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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

mkharris's review

fast-paced

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.

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

sashubey's review

emotional hopeful fast-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

4.5

adriaweger's review

2.0

This is a sweet story that seems well researched and stems from family experiences. My main problem with the book is with the epistolary delivery. It really wasn’t believable and seemed lazy story telling. I wish the letters were a starting off point for actual narrative. It was very difficult to want to keep reading because the story was so slowly paced. Even the conflict with a nazi-sympathizer couldn’t be fully developed because of the letter format. For such interesting content and untold stories, I wish this had been presented differently.