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sabinaleybold's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.25
nshemezis's review against another edition
4.0
Well I sure did finish this one quickly! I really wanted to know how it would end! I loved this story. It tells the story of the communist revolution in Cuba and how one family tries to escape from Castro's power! It's super sad at parts and super frightening, but i reccomend it!
cathydesi55's review against another edition
3.0
Another audiobook from Audiobook Sync. Takes place in the early 60's when Castro was taking over Cuba. About a family and how they get away from Cuba to live in the US.
scarlettletters's review against another edition
4.0
Ok, this was for the task to read a book written by an immigrant or with a central immigration narrative. In this case, the immigrant in question is Lucia Alvarez, who leaves Cuba during the rebellion, assuming she will return to her parents once everything settles down. Adult readers would presumably have some idea that this will not be the case.
What Gonzalez did really well was portraying the way that both Americans and Cubans were subject to propaganda that limited their understanding. When Lucia was in Cuba there were difficulties, but nowhere near the level that her foster parents assumed. And her friend in Cuba was convinced that Americans were in constant danger because of race riots and other unrest. Lucia found herself in the middle of two worlds, neither of which was what she had believed.
Lucia's innocence is frustrating but believable. She and her brother don't really understand the way they are being manipulated by the government and while an adult 50 years later can roll their eyes and say, "How could they be so naive?" I think it's important to realize that we don't always see what's going on until it's too late, especially when we are young and impressionable.
What Gonzalez did really well was portraying the way that both Americans and Cubans were subject to propaganda that limited their understanding. When Lucia was in Cuba there were difficulties, but nowhere near the level that her foster parents assumed. And her friend in Cuba was convinced that Americans were in constant danger because of race riots and other unrest. Lucia found herself in the middle of two worlds, neither of which was what she had believed.
Lucia's innocence is frustrating but believable. She and her brother don't really understand the way they are being manipulated by the government and while an adult 50 years later can roll their eyes and say, "How could they be so naive?" I think it's important to realize that we don't always see what's going on until it's too late, especially when we are young and impressionable.
srkennedy1218's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Death, and Violence
lindsayb's review against another edition
5.0
Why hasn’t this topic been covered more for the older kid/teen crowd? I absolutely adored this debut and immediately went searching for books involving Castro’s Cuba and Operation Pedro Pan, but I have found…sigh…two others. Yep. (Leaving Glorytown and Jumping off to Freedom, the former looking far more compelling; also, Countdown deals with the American side of the Cuban Missile Crisis.) This era is so highly charged politically and emotionally, it truly baffles me that it has been largely left untouched, especially now that enough time has passed. Anyhow.
What’s so great about The Red Umbrella? We get to see the intensity surrounding the rapid change Cuba went through in the communist takeover. Every chapter begins with a headline from a U.S. newspaper (which includes the date), and so we see how, on a daily basis, Lucia’s world spirals out of control starting from the time her school is temporarily closed to accommodate the new regime. The book spans almost a year, yet half of the book is devoted to just over a month’s worth of activity. The American headlines continue as chapter headings when Lucia and Frankie flee to the United States, which made me pause to think for a minute: Maybe it would be more effective if Gonzalez used Cuban headlines for this switch? Or maybe the focus should be exclusively on headlines of the U.S.’s efforts in dealing with Cuba? However, I soon realized the continuation to report the events in Cuba (albeit sometimes vague) served as both a reflection of Lucia’s efforts and interest in scouring the newspaper both to acquire language and news of her country as well as a way to demonstrate the drastic difference between Cuba and the U.S—what Lucia had managed to escape.
Lucia serves as a strong main character—we see her develop from her naïveté in coping with the devastating changes imposed by the new regime upon her country, friends, and family. Even though the years are 1961-62 and include enough popular culture and technological references/items in line with the era, Lucia’s experiences as a 14- and 15-year-old girl are absolutely sympathetic. She deals with losing friends and making them; standing up to aggressive boys as well as sweet ones; coping with the expectations of her parents for being a teenage girl; and making up her own mind on important political and social issues. On top of everything, Lucia, of course, must learn how to use the English language, and Gonzalez incorporates a fairly substantial amount of Spanish vocabulary (accompanied by a glossary) in the dialogue.
Once Lucia and Frankie were placed with the Baxters in Nebraska, I thought perhaps the story might slow down since they were so far removed geographically from the conflict; however, it only becomes more heart wrenching. I was incredibly moved by how Gonzalez handled the communication between Lucia and her parents and Ivette. I found myself holding my breath waiting for the phone line to connect. I was equally distressed by the gradual dissolution of Lucia’s friendship with Ivette due to Ivette’s allegiance to Castro (and thus, rejection of Lucia “choosing” to live in capitalist America) as written in her letters.
Lucia’s journey as a refugee is unique and compelling, and thankfully sheds light on a crucial point in American and world history barely covered by other juvenile memoir and historical fiction. My library has cataloged The Red Umbrella as YA, but I think it could be used with mature children as early as the upper grades of elementary school.
What’s so great about The Red Umbrella? We get to see the intensity surrounding the rapid change Cuba went through in the communist takeover. Every chapter begins with a headline from a U.S. newspaper (which includes the date), and so we see how, on a daily basis, Lucia’s world spirals out of control starting from the time her school is temporarily closed to accommodate the new regime. The book spans almost a year, yet half of the book is devoted to just over a month’s worth of activity. The American headlines continue as chapter headings when Lucia and Frankie flee to the United States, which made me pause to think for a minute: Maybe it would be more effective if Gonzalez used Cuban headlines for this switch? Or maybe the focus should be exclusively on headlines of the U.S.’s efforts in dealing with Cuba? However, I soon realized the continuation to report the events in Cuba (albeit sometimes vague) served as both a reflection of Lucia’s efforts and interest in scouring the newspaper both to acquire language and news of her country as well as a way to demonstrate the drastic difference between Cuba and the U.S—what Lucia had managed to escape.
Lucia serves as a strong main character—we see her develop from her naïveté in coping with the devastating changes imposed by the new regime upon her country, friends, and family. Even though the years are 1961-62 and include enough popular culture and technological references/items in line with the era, Lucia’s experiences as a 14- and 15-year-old girl are absolutely sympathetic. She deals with losing friends and making them; standing up to aggressive boys as well as sweet ones; coping with the expectations of her parents for being a teenage girl; and making up her own mind on important political and social issues. On top of everything, Lucia, of course, must learn how to use the English language, and Gonzalez incorporates a fairly substantial amount of Spanish vocabulary (accompanied by a glossary) in the dialogue.
Once Lucia and Frankie were placed with the Baxters in Nebraska, I thought perhaps the story might slow down since they were so far removed geographically from the conflict; however, it only becomes more heart wrenching. I was incredibly moved by how Gonzalez handled the communication between Lucia and her parents and Ivette. I found myself holding my breath waiting for the phone line to connect. I was equally distressed by the gradual dissolution of Lucia’s friendship with Ivette due to Ivette’s allegiance to Castro (and thus, rejection of Lucia “choosing” to live in capitalist America) as written in her letters.
Lucia’s journey as a refugee is unique and compelling, and thankfully sheds light on a crucial point in American and world history barely covered by other juvenile memoir and historical fiction. My library has cataloged The Red Umbrella as YA, but I think it could be used with mature children as early as the upper grades of elementary school.
virginiareads's review against another edition
5.0
I knew Spanish fluently at one time...that time is not now. I absolutely loved listening to this book. The Spanish woven throughout (not too much if you don't know any; it is translated), the writing, the progression of the story. The narrator was fabulous, going from Spanish to Minnesota accents seamlessly. Highly recommended.
robintheherrera's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
amdame1's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Set in Cuba, 1961. The revolution is drastically affecting Lucia and her family. Soldiers are everywhere. Her family is being watched. Finally, her parents make the difficult decision to send Lucia and her 7-year-old brother to the US - alone! They will try to come later. Lucia and Frankie end up with a lovely family in Nebraska, but nothing is like it was and they miss their parents, plus they don't know when or if they will ever be all together again.
I appreciated that the family who took the kids in was so genuine and warm, not a horrible foster family as is so often portrayed.
Set in Cuba, 1961. The revolution is drastically affecting Lucia and her family. Soldiers are everywhere. Her family is being watched. Finally, her parents make the difficult decision to send Lucia and her 7-year-old brother to the US - alone! They will try to come later. Lucia and Frankie end up with a lovely family in Nebraska, but nothing is like it was and they miss their parents, plus they don't know when or if they will ever be all together again.
I appreciated that the family who took the kids in was so genuine and warm, not a horrible foster family as is so often portrayed.