(A powerful novel in verse about an early women’s rights p.)Ī powerful novel in verse about an early women’s rights pioneer and the journey to Cuba that transformed her life. The Firefly Letters: A Suffragette's Journey to Cuba Historical notes, excerpts, and source notes round out this exceptional tribute. In passionate, accessible verses of her own, Engle evokes the voice of this book-loving feminist and abolitionist who bravely resisted an arranged marriage at the age of fourteen, and was ultimately courageous enough to fight against injustice. Of these, the boldest was Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda, nicknamed Tula. The most daring abolitionists were poets who veiled their work in metaphor. “I find it so easy to forget / that I’m just a girl who is expected / to live / without thoughts.” Opposing slavery in Cuba in the nineteenth century was dangerous. (“I find it so easy to forget / that I’m just a girl who i.)

The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist How can the two countries she loves hate each other so much? And will she ever get to visit her beautiful island again?

When the hostility between Cuba and the United States erupts at the Bay of Pigs Invasion, Margarita’s worlds collide in the worst way possible. Words and images are her constant companions, friendly and comforting when the children at school are not. But most of the time she lives in Los Angeles, lonely in the noisy city and dreaming of the summers when she can take a plane through the enchanted air to her beloved island.

Her heart lies in Cuba, her mother’s tropical island country, a place so lush with vibrant life that it seems like a fairy tale kingdom. In this poetic memoir, which won the Pura Belpré Author Award, was a YALSA Nonfiction Finalist, and was named a Walter Dean Myers Award Honoree, acclaimed author Margarita Engle tells of growing up as a child of two cultures during the Cold War. (In this poetic memoir, which won the Pura Belpré Author A.) Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings: A Memoir

Summer Birds by Margarita Engle