Coming up Cuban

In Coming Up Cuban, "lo que significa buscar la identidad personal," meaning "the significance of finding our personal identity," is a theme that takes center stage. The story follows four children from Cuba who find themselves seeking solace and pondering what's next after Fidel Castro assumes power, an act that quickly leads to the 1959 Cuban Revolution. Ana, Miguel, Zulema, and Juan face the conflict from different circumstances, but all cling to hope for a better future. Over the course of the story, the characters face their fears, grow as individuals, and learn serious lessons during a difficult time in Cuba's history. As readers follow the characters, they will see the complexity inherent to issues that arise during times of political unrest, such as emigrating to another country and the lingering effects such life-altering decisions have. Featuring gorgeous cover art and a sprinkling of chapter illustrations, this novel is a fantastic choice for middle-school libraries. It gives history relevance and showcases how the characters' actions relate to hope, growth, and inner strength.

With insight and empathy, former Sesame Street actor Manzano (A World Together) explores the impact of Fidel Castro's rise and revolution through the eyes of four young people building new lives amid a climate of political turmoil. In separate but overlapping sections, Ana, Miguel, Zulema, and Juan offer various perspectives on the turbulent political uprising, highlighting intersectional nuances around class and race. Ana's segment concentrates on the revolution's tail end in 1959 Havana, where her father has returned from fighting for Castro. Miguel details challenges for immigrants and refugees in 1961 Miami after he is sent into care while waiting for his parents. Zulema's section, based in the Cuban countryside in 1961, delves into Castro's literacy campaign, while Juan's section considers youth radicalization in 1961 Havana through the lens of two friends. In stories that brim with love for Cuba while highlighting a difficult historical moment, Manzano employs graceful, straightforward prose, highlighting the experiences, and will, of Cuba's people as they navigate the events' fallout with alternating anguish and elation. Back matter includes a timeline of the book's events and resources. Ages 9--12. (Aug.)

Four young people deal with the harsh realities of Castro's Cuba in this novel by author and Sesame Street actress Manzano. In overlapping short stories, readers hear from Ana, Miguel, Zulema, and Juan about how Castro's revolution affected their lives. They come from different backgrounds, reflect Cuba's racial diversity, and suffer varied consequences in the aftermath of Castro's rise to power. Ana's father is home from fighting in the mountains with Fidel; her family, like many Cubans, wanted to build a better country only to realize too late that Fidel had fooled them. Miguel, on the other hand, is one of thousands of Pedro Pan children, sent to the U.S. alone to protect them; he arrives in Miami and goes to live in an orphanage. Zulema and her rural community learn to read thanks to young brigadistas--but they're only allowed access to state-sanctioned propaganda. In Havana, Juan loses his best friend, who eagerly participates in the militaristic pioneros; being on opposing sides wreaks havoc in their lives. Through these young people's experiences, the realities of Cubans' lives are presented in nuanced and complex ways in this thoroughly researched work. Many moments will ring true to young Cubans who have grown up on family stories, down to the slang and details of daily life at the time. A well-researched, thoughtful, and moving look at post-revolutionary Cuba. (author's note, historical notes, timeline, resources) (Fiction. 9-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.