Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
This was a very touching and poignant book about Lucy and her family. Set in 1960s Cuba.
Summary:
The Red Umbrella is the moving tale of a 14-year-old girl's journey from Cuba to America as part of Operation Pedro Pan'an organized exodus of more than 14,000 unaccompanied children, whose parents sent them away to escape Fidel Castro's revolution. In 1961, two years after the Communist revolution, Lucia Alvarez still leads a carefree life, dreaming of parties and her first crush. But when the soldiers come to her sleepy Cuban town, everything begins to change. Freedoms are stripped away. Neighbors disappear. Her friends feel like strangers. And her family is being watched. As the revolution's impact becomes more oppressive, Lucia's parents make the heart-wrenching decision to send her and her little brother to the United States'on their own. Suddenly plunked down in Nebraska with well-meaning strangers, Lucia struggles to adapt to a new country, a new language, a new way of life. But what of her old life' Will she ever see her home or her parents again' And if she does, will she still be the same girl' The Red Umbrella is a moving story of country, culture, family, and the true meaning of home.
Summary:
The Red Umbrella is the moving tale of a 14-year-old girl's journey from Cuba to America as part of Operation Pedro Pan'an organized exodus of more than 14,000 unaccompanied children, whose parents sent them away to escape Fidel Castro's revolution. In 1961, two years after the Communist revolution, Lucia Alvarez still leads a carefree life, dreaming of parties and her first crush. But when the soldiers come to her sleepy Cuban town, everything begins to change. Freedoms are stripped away. Neighbors disappear. Her friends feel like strangers. And her family is being watched. As the revolution's impact becomes more oppressive, Lucia's parents make the heart-wrenching decision to send her and her little brother to the United States'on their own. Suddenly plunked down in Nebraska with well-meaning strangers, Lucia struggles to adapt to a new country, a new language, a new way of life. But what of her old life' Will she ever see her home or her parents again' And if she does, will she still be the same girl' The Red Umbrella is a moving story of country, culture, family, and the true meaning of home.
Lucia lives an idyllic life in Cuba. All she thinks about is her quinca, her friends and if Manuel will dance with her. Then Castro comes to power and everything changes. People start getting arrested, her parents become afraid, school is cancelled. Finally her parents decide to send her and her brother to America. They first go to Miami where they live in camps, then they are sent to live with the Baxters in Nebraska. Lucia and Frankie have to adjust to life in America, they have to learn English, they have to learn to live without their parents.
This is a wonderful book about a part of history I knew nothing about. I had never heard about the Pedro Pan Project. I had no idea 14000 Cuban children were sent to the United States when Castro came to power. I can't imagine the heartache and fear that the kids must have felt to leave everything they know behind and move to another country without knowing if they will even see their parents again. The afterward of the book states that the majority of the kids were reunited with their parents but some never saw them again.
At the beginning of this book Lucia is a your typical spoiled teenager who really only thinks of herself. She is not aware of what is going on around her and doesn't have a care in the world. As the book progresses she matures a lot and becomes someone who looks out for others and has an awareness of the world and what goes on. I think the book is a pretty realistic portrayal of what happened in Cuba, but it is shown in a kid friendly way. The violence is hinted at and shown but it is not thrown in the reader's faces or graphic. This was not a pleasant time in Cuba and that is not covered up, but this is also a children's book and that is taken into account which I appreciate.
The one thing I think is glossed over is the transition to America. Lucia and Frankie do have a very difficult time when they are in the camps in Miami, but there time in Nebraska seems almost too easy. They don't have language problems or problems fitting in at school or making friends. I would think that there would be more issues being the only Cuban/Latino people in the middle of Nebraska at a time when there are probably only white people in the town. I find it hard to believe that the kids were that accepting of them. I think it reads great for a kids book, but I don't find it that realistic. Still I think this was a wonderful book and I recommend it.
This is a wonderful book about a part of history I knew nothing about. I had never heard about the Pedro Pan Project. I had no idea 14000 Cuban children were sent to the United States when Castro came to power. I can't imagine the heartache and fear that the kids must have felt to leave everything they know behind and move to another country without knowing if they will even see their parents again. The afterward of the book states that the majority of the kids were reunited with their parents but some never saw them again.
At the beginning of this book Lucia is a your typical spoiled teenager who really only thinks of herself. She is not aware of what is going on around her and doesn't have a care in the world. As the book progresses she matures a lot and becomes someone who looks out for others and has an awareness of the world and what goes on. I think the book is a pretty realistic portrayal of what happened in Cuba, but it is shown in a kid friendly way. The violence is hinted at and shown but it is not thrown in the reader's faces or graphic. This was not a pleasant time in Cuba and that is not covered up, but this is also a children's book and that is taken into account which I appreciate.
The one thing I think is glossed over is the transition to America. Lucia and Frankie do have a very difficult time when they are in the camps in Miami, but there time in Nebraska seems almost too easy. They don't have language problems or problems fitting in at school or making friends. I would think that there would be more issues being the only Cuban/Latino people in the middle of Nebraska at a time when there are probably only white people in the town. I find it hard to believe that the kids were that accepting of them. I think it reads great for a kids book, but I don't find it that realistic. Still I think this was a wonderful book and I recommend it.
This has been the year of books written about the 1960's. But I'm not one to complain, I love historical fiction and the fact that it is written from a time period that was not that long ago is even better for me and for the kids at my library. Since this is history we all learn about in school to some extent.
I loved The Red Umbrella, Gonzalez did an amazing job penning this heartbreaking debut about Castro's rise to power in Cuba. This opens readers to an experience that is rarely discussed in high school history classes, Operation Pedro Pan. I vaguely had an understanding about the background to this book, but this really opened my eyes to what it must have been like to leave behind everything you know, because your parents wanted you to have a chance to get away from the Revolution. Highly Recommend, perfect book to go along with Deborah Wiles Countdown.
I loved The Red Umbrella, Gonzalez did an amazing job penning this heartbreaking debut about Castro's rise to power in Cuba. This opens readers to an experience that is rarely discussed in high school history classes, Operation Pedro Pan. I vaguely had an understanding about the background to this book, but this really opened my eyes to what it must have been like to leave behind everything you know, because your parents wanted you to have a chance to get away from the Revolution. Highly Recommend, perfect book to go along with Deborah Wiles Countdown.
I didn't realize this book was written with such a young audience in mind when I got it, but I liked learning more about this period in history and want to read more books about it -both literature and nonfiction.
LOVE these kinds of stories ❤❤❤
started slow for me. but it gets interesting especially because it's a historical event i'm not i'm not aware of. the ending is very expected, nothing new therr but still very good.
the narration was also well done. i like the accents and how well the narrator delivers everything in general 😀
started slow for me. but it gets interesting especially because it's a historical event i'm not i'm not aware of. the ending is very expected, nothing new therr but still very good.
the narration was also well done. i like the accents and how well the narrator delivers everything in general 😀
This is a YA novel, but our library had it marked "12-13" on the side and I would have to agree that this is the perfect book for a 12 - 13 year old. I also loved it as an adult too, but you know how there are some books that are marked YA and you think, "No way is this appropriate for a young YA"?....anyways. :)
This is the story of Lucia and her family, set during the Cuban revolution. Lucia and her brother are sent to the U.S. while their parents stay behind in Cuba. The author does a good job of showing the gradual changes in Cuban culture/politics and also does a good job of showing the perception of the changes through "Cuban eyes" and also "American eyes."
The story is very sweet without being too sweet or unbelievable. It is a great quick read. Would recommend to all...especially young readers who maybe haven't experienced historical fiction yet. This is a great introduction.
This is the story of Lucia and her family, set during the Cuban revolution. Lucia and her brother are sent to the U.S. while their parents stay behind in Cuba. The author does a good job of showing the gradual changes in Cuban culture/politics and also does a good job of showing the perception of the changes through "Cuban eyes" and also "American eyes."
The story is very sweet without being too sweet or unbelievable. It is a great quick read. Would recommend to all...especially young readers who maybe haven't experienced historical fiction yet. This is a great introduction.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
I loved this book. So glad I found it! A great YA book about a time I don’t know much about.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I really enjoyed reading this book with my 13-year old daughter.
Story of a pair of young children having to leave Cuba at the time of the revolution. Beautifully written and hankers to a more innocent time. I can't think what the modern day equivalent would look like. Good to pair with "Stormy Seas" and other displacement / refugee stories
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
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