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The Red Umbrella (2010)

by Christina Diaz Gonzalez(Favorite Author)

3.99 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0375861904 (ISBN13: 9780375861901)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Knopf Books for Young Readers

review 1: I know so little about the Cuban revolution and Castro's rise to power. This simple fictional tale based on the author's parents' and in- laws' experiences as children sent to the US by frightened Cuban parents in the early 1960s was moving and surprising. The government's actions seem like so many stories of early Nazi Germany, but there was freshness in hearing the similar stories from a new place, with a new setting. It is frightening and heart-rending to vicariously experience that darkness and know that no country, no government, no people are immune from the fallout of misguided actions from a powerful few. Ugh. It makes me fear even more for America. The book itself is a fairly light look at this darkness -- light enough for young teen or preteen readers. The story ... moreis told through a naive, conservative 14-year-old girls' eyes and, beyond what she sees, readers only see the Cuban revolution through newspaper headlines used as chapter headings. It is as much a coming-of-age tale as a historical lesson, actually more so. The writing is weak at times, amateurish, but serviceable, and it is a very quick read. I found it a valuable look at a little spoken of phenomenon of unaccompanied minor immigration and the Cuban revolution overall.
review 2: I enjoyed this book a lot because it was written about something that teaches you not to take everything for granted. Lucia, the main character is just a normal 14-year-old girl who thinks about boys and fashion and makeup, however, she is totally oblivious to the current events. Being this way can make life very hard for you, as it is proven in this great story. This book also educated me on the events during that time period. Overall, I really liked this book and recommend it highly. less

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