“Singing with elephants” Margarita Engle

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. Viking Books (Penguin Random House). 217 p. (Includes “Author’s note,” “Gabriela Mistral’s poetry for children,” and “Further reading.”) To be published May 31, 2022.

Oriol misses her grandmother and Cuba. She, her parents and older sister moved to California to get special treatment for her grandmother’s diabetes, but it didn’t work. Due to trouble mastering English, she’s bullied at school and has learned to keep herself closed to others. She can be herself with the animals she helps her veterinarian father to care for, as she remembers Cuba and time spent with her beloved grandmother.

On one of her daily walks she meets a friendly woman named Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, who helps her learn how to turn thoughts into poetry. Oriol is thrilled when she meets a friendly elephant who gives birth to twins, as spending time with them, writing poetry and singing with their elephant voices helps her feel better. Unfortunately their rich owner has other plans for the family. He believes elephants exist for his pleasure, so decides to take one of the twins to train for his own use. Without nourishment and love from its mother, Oriol knows the baby elephant will die. Can an eleven-year-old girl use her newly found voice to convince others they need to help her save its life?

Oriol’s words and thoughts flow through Margarita Engle’s poetic style of writing. As she learns to shape her poetic voice, and sing the song of elephants, young readers will also be excited to do so and learn how to sing too.

Recommended for ages 10-14.

I received an advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Sofía Acosta makes a scene” Emma Otheguy

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Alfred A. Knopf (Random House). To be published January 25, 2022.

Ten-year-old Sofía Acosta comes from a family of ballerinas. Her parents were famous dancers in Cuba before they came to the United States, while her thirteen-year-old sister is fated to become a star. Even her little brother is an amazing dancer. Only Sofía has two left feet, but has been dancing since kindergarten where she met her best friend Tricia. Together they plan to be cast as Party Scene dancers in the upcoming Nutcracker production.

Since the Acosta family are all ballerinas, Sofía believes she needs to become one too even though her joy lies in costume design. Burying what she really wants and not making scenes comes naturally to her, especially if it makes Tricia uncomfortable. When an affordable housing unit is proposed for their part of town Sofía is surprised at Tricia’s objections. She’s gotten so used to putting Tricia first that she starts to believe what she says about leaving American jobs for Americans and about not wanting change to come to their neighborhood. As Sofía learns about the difficulties faced by Latinos and others who come to this country, she begins to understand the importance of standing up for what she believes. It is only then that Sofía learns she and her family stand for more than ballet.

“Sofía Acosta makes a scene” has many similarities to Meg Medina’s 2019 Newbery winning title “Merci Suárez changes gears” with its themes of family, love and tough decisions that need to be made. Pairing Sofía with Merci would create interesting discussions with young readers.

Recommended for ages 10-14.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Rima’s rebellion: Courage in a time of tyranny” Margarita Engle

Rated 5 stars ***** Atheneum (Simon & Schuster). 195 p. (Includes “Historical note,” and “International timeline of women’s suffrage.”) To be published February 15, 2022.

It is 1923 and, though she’s only 12 years old, Rima has always been made to feel “less than” because her rich father refused to marry her mother. Without the required two last names that show legitimacy in Cuba, she and her mother have been reduced to scratching out a living. The constant ridicule from boys and men, calling her “bastard” as well as other hateful names, causes her to have anxiety attacks. The only thing that can combat her angst is riding Ala, her horse, alongside her grandmother and other heroic mambisa women. Galloping, weaving and dancing with Ala helps Rima forget her pathetic life as she escapes into the brave life of the mambisa.

Machado, Cuba’s president, turned his presidency into a dictatorships, refusing to grant women the right to vote and brutally terrorizing anyone who disagreed with his policies. Though some rich women formed clubs to win the vote, none were willing to tackle the problem of recognizing all of the many bastard children left behind by rich men in the country. Rima, her mother, grandmother and the mambisa are determined to leave a better world for their children and grandchildren, so engage in coded language to keep their fight for women’s rights alive. Despite Machado’s hard-handed tactics, they manage to stay the course and keep the fight for women’s suffrage alive in order to help severely oppressed Cuban women on the island.

Engle’s poetic style captures the voice of a brave girl who conquered her fears about her illegitimacy, and faced down one of the worst dictator’s in Cuba’s history.

Highly recommended for ages 11-14.

I received an advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“The total eclipse of Nestor Lopez” Adrianna Cuevas

Rated 5 stars ***** ebook. Farrar Straus Giroux. 2020.

Twelve-year-old Nestor’s dad is in the Army, so he and his mom have to move wherever the Army sends him. Now he’s stationed in Afghanistan, and Nestor misses him very much. When he arrives at his grandmother’s house on another of their moves he’s sure it will be a short visit like all their other moves. He’s prepared to hate it there, as distancing himself from everything and everyone helps him get over the disappointment of moving so frequently.

Early in his stay he learns animals have been disappearing from town, and a witch is rumored to be in the woods. At first his only friend is a raven he regularly talks to, since he has an ability of being able to talk to animals, but eventually Nestor finds himself making real friends at school. When his beloved Abuela is rumored to be the witch and animal thief Nestor knows he’ll have to stop the tule vieja – who can change into a wolverine, snake or spider. An eclipse is coming in a few days, when the tule vieja will gain even greater powers, so it’s up to Nestor and his friends to stop her before it’s too late.

I’m not a big fantasy fan, so was prepared to feel as if I was munching on shredded cardboard while reading this book. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Nestor was a very likable character, and his animal talking ways came across as totally natural. Cuevas even had me believing in the tule vieja as I cheered Nestor along on his quest. This book won a 2021 Pura Belpré Author Honor award. Congratulations Adrianna!

Highly recommended for ages 10-14.

“Your heart, my sky: Love in the time of hunger” Margarita Engle

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon & Schuster). To be published March 23, 2021.

In Margarita Engle’s signature poetic style, readers learn about the Cuban summer of 1991 where we meet fourteen-year-old Liana and fifteen-year-old Amada. The two of them, along with Paz their stray dog, are at the beginning of a period of almost 10 years of starvation the government mandated be called “El período especial en tiempos de paz” (The special period in times of peace). While thousands starve, visiting athletes from the Pan American games are being feted by Castro with food taken from their hungry mouths.

Liana and Amada decided not to attend the summer of teen labor, mandated by the government. Instead their decision to stay home to search for food means they will not be considered for future jobs with the government. As the summer drags on and their bellies cry out for relief, the only thing that gives them sustenance is their love for each other. Desperate for food, they will have to decide whether or not they should build a flimsy raft to brave the ocean and escape to the United States.

I remembered many Cubans arriving in the United States by sea during this period of time, but never knew they braved the ocean due to starving conditions in Cuba. Thank you Margarita for sharing another part of Cuba’s history with your readers.

Recommended for ages 14 and older.

I received an advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Find me in Havana” Serena Burdick

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Park Row Books. To be published January 12, 2021.

A rebellion led to a reversal of fortunes for Juana Maria Antonia Santurio y Canto Rodriguez and her five children in their town of Guanajay Cuba. One of her younger daughters was more musically talented than the other so, when Estelita turned 15, she and Mamá left the family behind and travelled to America so she could become a star.

Three years later Estelita was pregnant and, after giving birth to her daughter Nina, her husband wouldn’t let her perform. She wasn’t going to let anyone stand in the way of her career, so Estelita ran away from him. As Nina grew older she resented being forced into boarding school by her grandmother, and longed for time with her mother, but Estelita was focused on men and her career.

Over the years different husbands held her focus as they struggled to maintain a relationship through Nina’s drug fueled teen years. In 1966, before they could fully reconcile, it was too late. Estelita was dead, and Nina was certain her husband had murdered her.

This poignant story is based on the life of Cuban singer and actress Estelita Rodriguez, as told to the author by her daughter. Before reading it I had never heard of Estelita, though I knew the names of her peers Desi Arnaz, John Wayne, Sammy Davis Jr., and others mentioned in the book. During a time when women were supposed to bow to their husband’s wishes, both Mamá and Estelita were cut from a different cloth. Their strength comes out through the pages to inspire today’s women.

Highly recommended for Adults.

I received a digital advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Letters from Cuba” Ruth Behar

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin Random House). To be published August 25, 2020.

Esther’s father left his family behind in Poland and headed to Cuba, intent on earning enough money to give them a better life. Though he had been working for 3 years, he only had enough money for one of them to make the trip. Esther begged to be allowed to make the trip and, when she arrived, she was entranced. Cuba’s friendly neighbors made her feel welcome, everyone called her a little Polish girl instead of Jew, the weather was balmy, and the sea was breathtaking. It was wonderful!

Esther decided to tell her story in daily letters to her sister that she saved for when they’d be reunited. Though her father had been a peddler before she arrived, Esther was able to earn more money designing and selling her own dresses. As they worked to earn money to reunite the family, she learned about the heritages of the people in their small village. As Nazi beliefs began to invade their village, former slaves, Chinese Cubans, rich sugar mill owners and poor sugar cane workers were united in their belief that Esther and her father should be protected. Through faith and hope, they all learned that love could overcome evil.

This beautiful story told in letter form recounts many parts of Ruth Behar’s own family history, told from her grandmother Esther’s memories of leaving Poland and arriving in Cuba. Though Ruth and her mother were both born in Cuba, and they immigrated to the United States when it became Communist, Cuba is always in her heart. After reading Esther’s story, her memories will stay in her reader’s hearts too.

Highly recommended for ages 11 and older.

PS – I believe “Letters from Cuba” should be a contender for the treasured Pura Belpré Award, to be announced at the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards in January 2021. Remember when Ruth Behar wins an award there that you read it here first!

I received a digital advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

“Refugee” Alan Gratz

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. Published July 25, 2017. Scholastic. 337 p. (Includes Maps and Author’s note.)

Josef was almost thirteen-years-old in 1938 when Kristallnacht sent the strong message that Jews were not welcome in Germany. Soon afterwards, he, his father, mother and little sister, along with hundreds of other Jews, boarded the MS St. Louis bound for Cuba where they hoped to escape bigotry and start a new life.

In 1994 Isabel lived with her mother, father and grandfather in Cuba but, with the fall of the Soviet Union, food, gasoline and medicine had become scarce and people began to starve. After riots began, Castro allowed them to leave without fear of arrest. Knowing their only chance of survival was to flee to Miami, Isabel and her family joined their neighbors on a rickety homemade boat. Their 90-mile trip would be dangerous, but they were willing to risk everything to be free.

Twelve-year-old Mahmoud lived with his father, mother, little brother and baby sister in Aleppo Syria in 2015. Four years ago people revolted against their dictator president, which led to war and constant bombings. Their apartment building was blown apart and they had nowhere to go, so Mahmoud and his family joined thousands of other Syrians on a long march to Germany, hoping to start a new life without fear of war.

Real-life occurrences from World War II, the early 90’s, and current events are combined in alternating voices to tell the story of three children who all hope to grow older. This well-researched book will get conversation flowing about immigrants, xenophobia, acceptance and intolerance. It is excellent for book clubs, especially in middle schools.

Highly recommended for ages 11-15.

 

“Martí’s song for freedom: Martí y sus versos por la libertad” Emma Otheguy

Rated 5 stars ***** 2017. Children’s Book Press (Lee & Low). Includes “Afterword,” “Author’s Note,” and a “Selected Bibliography.”

José Martí (1853-1895) was born when Spain ruled Cuba with an iron fist. Slave labor on sugar plantations allowed the rich to become richer, oppressing natives of all races. Determined to free his people José advocated for freedom from Spain, which led to imprisonment and deportation. Despite being away from the island he loved, José continued his fight to abolish slavery from his new home in New York through poetry and speeches. Ultimately he gave his life for his country, remembered for the words he left behind which deeply illustrated his love for freedom and justice for all.

Otheguy’s well-researched bilingual picture book tells the story of Cuba’s greatest poet and patriot, as Vidal’s simply drawn, yet colorful paintings, illustrate his struggle in a clear, straightforward manner. It will appeal to older elementary readers, especially those in grades 3-6, and may well be a contender for the upcoming Pura Belpré award. If it wins or places, remember that you read it here first.

Recommended for ages 8-11.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Sofrito” Phillippe Diederich

Rated 1 star * Ebook. ARC. 2015. Cinco Punto Press.

Frank Delgado was born in the United States from parents who had fled Castro and the Cuban revolution. All his life he hated his father for being a boring, “typical” American, who didn’t seem to have any interest in life other than work and home, and who seemed to hate anything that had to do with his former homeland.

Frank is part owner of a failing restaurant in New York, (while also failing at relationships and college.) When his business partners convince him to go to a famous restaurant in Cuba to steal a recipe for chicken that had been stolen from his Uncle, Frank discovers that Cuba (and his father) are not what he had thought.

I didn’t find the plot line of “Sofrito” to be believable. I felt the things Frank did to try and get the recipe were very unlikely, his interactions with the secret police were not plausible, and the fact that he fell in love with a prostitute in less than a week was the final nail in “Sofrito’s” coffin. In addition, I am pretty sure Cuban people don’t start every sentence with the curse word “coño.” I lost track of how many times it was said while Frank was in Cuba.

I know this book was more a “take” on the political scene of Cuba and how exiles feel disconnected or connected to the island and its memories, while locals feel very patriotic or hate its leader. However I didn’t like it, as the unrealistic storyline kept me at arm’s length.

Though I wasn’t a fan of “Sofrito,” I will leave it up to you to decide if you want to read it or not.