A review by markat323
The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

3.0

The time is early 1960s Cuba when Castro has just taken control. The revolution has started and those who are "anti-revolution" are being punished in many different ways. The Alvarez parents chose to send their children Lucia and Frankie to the United States until the revolution ends. This is a part of history I didn't know about. Thousands of children were sent to the United States during the revolution. So, I liked reading about a time/event I knew nothing. The writing, though, seemed a little simplistic. I kept thinking it was for 4th grade but it is a teen novel. Certainly, it is a younger teen novel. I felt like it took a long time for much to happen. Lucia was believable in that as a 14 year old, the things most important to her were her friends, clothes, make-up, boys, and even her family, but she also came across a little young. It ended a bit abruptly and predictably. I liked the significance of the red umbrella (it shows up at 2 important parts in the book). I did enjoy the story but feel like the book could have been a bit more polished.