Region: Cuba

The Wild Book

By Book Importer | Published: April 16, 2012

Fefa struggles with words. She has word blindness, or dyslexia, and the doctor says she will never read or write. Every time she tries, the letters jumble and spill off the page, leaping and hopping away like bullfrogs. How will she ever understand them? But her mother has an idea. She gives Fefa a blank [...]

Other Descriptors: Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Other Half of Life

By Book Importer | Published: December 12, 2011

A heartbreaking novel based on the true story of a World War II voyage.In May of 1939, the SS St. Francis sets sail from Germany, carrying German Jews and other refugees away from Hitler’s regime. The passengers believe they are bound for freedom in Cuba and eventually the United States, but not all of them [...]

Other Descriptors: Caribbean, Germany, Historical Fiction, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Themes: , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Old Dog

By Book Importer | Published: September 7, 2011

Perro Viejo was taken away from his mother at birth and has known no other life than that of servitude on a sugar plantation. His name, which means “Old Dog,” was given to him by the plantation master because, like the bloodhounds that chased fugitive slaves, Perro Viejo is always searching for the scent of [...]

Other Descriptors: Americas, Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Themes: , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

90 Miles To Havana

By Book Importer | Published: May 3, 2011

When Julian’s parents send him and his two brothers away from Cuba to Miami via the Pedro Pan Operation, the boys are thrust into a new world where bullies run rampant and it’s not always clear how best to protect themselves. By the author of Raining Sardines.

Other Descriptors: Caribbean, Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14) » Themes: , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Dance, Nana, Dance / Baila, Nana, Baila

By Book Importer | Published: March 17, 2011

These folk stories teach the deep-hearted wisdom of the Cuban people.

Other Descriptors: Americas, Caribbean, Folklore, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

The Red Umbrella

By Book Importer | Published: September 27, 2010

The Red Umbrellais 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, Luciacute;a Aacute;lvarez still leads a carefree life, [...]

Other Descriptors: Realistic Fiction, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Themes: , , » 4 Comments

The Rooster who went to his uncle’s wedding

By Book Importer | Published: June 17, 2010

Rooster, en route to his uncle’s wedding, struggles with the dilemma of whether he should risk of getting dirty in order to obtain a kernel of corn. His hunger overcomes his better judgment and, of course, he winds up “. . . with a beak full of mud.” This leads into a cumulative tale that [...]

Other Descriptors: Caribbean, Early Years (ages 2-6), Folklore, Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Raining Sardines

By Book Importer | Published: June 17, 2010

Wealthy landowner Don Rigol practically owns the town. To expand his coffee plantation, he will lay waste the mountain jungle and the secret valley where the ancient breed of Paso Fino horses roams wild. Best friends Enriquito and Ernestina search for a way to save the ponies, ensure justice at a trumped-up trial, and reclaim [...]

Other Descriptors: Caribbean, Fantasy, Intermediate (ages 9-14) » Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Firefly Letters

By Book Importer | Published: June 17, 2010

A stunning novel in verse by a Newbery Honor-winning author paints a portrait of early women’s right pioneer Frederika Bremer and the journey to Cuba that transformed her life. See the review at WOW Review, Volume 3, Issue 1

Other Descriptors: Caribbean, Historical Fiction, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Themes: , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Under The Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba

By Book Importer | Published: June 17, 2010

In this companion volume to Alma Flor Ada’s Where the Flame Trees Bloom, the author offers young readers another inspiring collection of stories and reminiscences drawn from her childhood on the island of Cuba. Through those stories we see how the many events and relationships she enjoyed helped shape who she is today. We learn [...]

Other Descriptors: Caribbean, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Nonfiction, Short Stories » Themes: , , , , , , , » Leave a comment