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zainub_reads's review against another edition
5.0
The search for an authentic Cuban story told by a Cuban led me to this book and I’m glad this historical middle grade fiction did not disappoint!
Set in 1961 during Fidel Castro’s turbulent revolution, this book follows the story of fourteen-year-old Lucía Álvarez, as she lives a happy and carefree life in a sleepy Cuban town with her younger brother, Frankie and her loving parents. As the revolution leads on, the world around Lucía slowly starts to cave in.
To protect the children, her parents are forced to make the most difficult of all decisions- to send Lucía and Frankie to America on their own, not knowing if they will ever get to see them again, if they will ever hold them close again.
This is a wonderfully written, tenderly told, moving tribute to some 14,000 unaccompanied children, and their parents who made the excruciating decision to part with them for their own good.
Set in 1961 during Fidel Castro’s turbulent revolution, this book follows the story of fourteen-year-old Lucía Álvarez, as she lives a happy and carefree life in a sleepy Cuban town with her younger brother, Frankie and her loving parents. As the revolution leads on, the world around Lucía slowly starts to cave in.
To protect the children, her parents are forced to make the most difficult of all decisions- to send Lucía and Frankie to America on their own, not knowing if they will ever get to see them again, if they will ever hold them close again.
This is a wonderfully written, tenderly told, moving tribute to some 14,000 unaccompanied children, and their parents who made the excruciating decision to part with them for their own good.
cjrayl's review against another edition
5.0
Gonzalez, Christina Diaz. 2010. The Red Umbrella. Alfred A. Knopf. New York: New York.
ISBN: 970375861901
Historical, realistic fiction
Grades 6 - 12
Lucia and her little brother are sent out of Cuba to escape the Cuba regime and being sent to camps for reeducation. Once in Miami, they are briefly separated but come back together when sent to live with an elderly couple in Nebraska. During this time they learn English, the ways of a farm, and what the United States is really like. Lucia finds that there isn’t much difference between boys and girls in Cuba and their counterparts in the United States. Slowly she begins to make decisions for herself, changes, and even wearing make up; doing things that would not be allowed by her more conservative parents. Feeling guilty, it isn’t until her parents escape Cuba and come to Nebraska that Lucia realizes it isn’t the outer trappings that are important, rather it is family and being together.
The emotional content in this novel is sure to capture the reader. The reader will read first hand what it is like to be forcibly separated from parents, let alone being sent to a strange country that you know nothing about! Quite heartbreaking at some points but it ends well and the smooth writing, excellent flow of events and superb editing carries the reader to the end of Lucia's wait. While verbal enrichment is minimal, the story works. Insights will come about more through the voyeuristic role of the reader in witnessing the events surrounding Lucia’s life: leaving all that she knows, the way politics can influence everyone’s life, struggling to fit within a new culture, language, as well as education. A must for any middle or high school collection, this novel provides a fantastic personal look at the Cuba uprising and its impact upon the population.
ISBN: 970375861901
Historical, realistic fiction
Grades 6 - 12
Lucia and her little brother are sent out of Cuba to escape the Cuba regime and being sent to camps for reeducation. Once in Miami, they are briefly separated but come back together when sent to live with an elderly couple in Nebraska. During this time they learn English, the ways of a farm, and what the United States is really like. Lucia finds that there isn’t much difference between boys and girls in Cuba and their counterparts in the United States. Slowly she begins to make decisions for herself, changes, and even wearing make up; doing things that would not be allowed by her more conservative parents. Feeling guilty, it isn’t until her parents escape Cuba and come to Nebraska that Lucia realizes it isn’t the outer trappings that are important, rather it is family and being together.
The emotional content in this novel is sure to capture the reader. The reader will read first hand what it is like to be forcibly separated from parents, let alone being sent to a strange country that you know nothing about! Quite heartbreaking at some points but it ends well and the smooth writing, excellent flow of events and superb editing carries the reader to the end of Lucia's wait. While verbal enrichment is minimal, the story works. Insights will come about more through the voyeuristic role of the reader in witnessing the events surrounding Lucia’s life: leaving all that she knows, the way politics can influence everyone’s life, struggling to fit within a new culture, language, as well as education. A must for any middle or high school collection, this novel provides a fantastic personal look at the Cuba uprising and its impact upon the population.
rhoetger's review against another edition
4.0
What a cute story! It reminded me of The War That Saved My Life. It was interesting to read about Cuba and Fidel Castroâs âRevolution.â I would definitely recommend this book, and especially the audiobook.
pkadams's review against another edition
4.0
I'm still digesting this book as I knew next to nothing about this period in history (Castro's revolutionary Cuba) and the author gives you a lot to think about.... Lucia is a 14 year old girl living in Cuba in 1961, who loves fashion magazines, day dreaming about boys, and dances, as Castro's revolution comes to her small village. Friendships, families, and ways of life are wretchedly changed. When it is no longer safe for Lucia and her brother, her parents send them to the US as part of Operation Pedro Pan. The story fills the reader with uncertainty and fear for the characters' safety. However, Gonzalez knows she is writing for children and keeps the action and direction of the book contained so it doesn't become overwhelming. The book illuminates an interesting time in Cuban American history. I could see it being shortlisted for the Newbery.
Gonzalez does an exquisite job with describing the richness of Cuban life and its environment. By doing so Lucia's feelings of homesickness really resonated with me and evoked empathetic feelings. I loved how vivid Lucia in particular is as a character. Gonzalez also does an excellent job exploring how friendships, families, and ways of life are wretchedly changed and laying bare the bewilderment of Lucia, her friends, and family. The evolution in the friendship between Lucia and Ivette was terrific and well done. The story fills the reader with uncertainty and fear for the characters' safety. However, Gonzalez knows she is writing for children and keeps the action and direction of the book contained so it doesn't become overwhelming.
Gonzalez does an exquisite job with describing the richness of Cuban life and its environment. By doing so Lucia's feelings of homesickness really resonated with me and evoked empathetic feelings. I loved how vivid Lucia in particular is as a character. Gonzalez also does an excellent job exploring how friendships, families, and ways of life are wretchedly changed and laying bare the bewilderment of Lucia, her friends, and family. The evolution in the friendship between Lucia and Ivette was terrific and well done. The story fills the reader with uncertainty and fear for the characters' safety. However, Gonzalez knows she is writing for children and keeps the action and direction of the book contained so it doesn't become overwhelming.
farkle's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit that I recall little US history from the 1960s era. (Sorry, mom and dad!) To imagine children being sent away from home to escape Castro's regime seems unthinkable today. (Can kids even fly alone anymore?) To imagine the difficulty a parent faced in making that decision is heartbreaking.
The story beautifully captures the struggles Lucia faced leaving her life behind and adjusting to a new home. And her lessons along the way resonate with any teenager.
The story beautifully captures the struggles Lucia faced leaving her life behind and adjusting to a new home. And her lessons along the way resonate with any teenager.
couillac's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed reading about a little-known aspect of the Cuba-US relationship, but felt it lacked a bit of complexity. Additionally, while I felt it was aimed at an older elementary audience, some parts of it seemed better suited or at least more easily understood by young teens. All in all, not bad.
amysbrittain's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting setting (Cuba and US as Castro takes over) for a book about a young girl coming to understand the world and how it works. Despite the challenges and confusion faced by the main protagonist, this felt more like a juvenile than a true young adult read because there isn't extensive depth or much delving into complex issues.
kseef's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a long while to get into this book, but once I connected with the narrator, it went much faster. Overall, I enjoyed it. I loved the historical perspective. The Cuban Revolution is not something I knew a lot about, and now I’m more interested to read more.
blissfuloctopus's review
5.0
Honestly an amazing, heart warming book with an outstanding ending. It kept my heart clenched until the very last words. Also a great way for me to keep my Spanish from getting rusty! Overall, a wonderful book to have read. I’ll have to read it again some time!
ryalcoll28's review against another edition
3.0
This would be a great read for level 2 or 3 ELL students.