Margarita Engle
Hardcover | Pages: 182 pages Rating: 3.92 | 1124 Users | 236 Reviews
Declare Books Concering The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist
| ISBN: | 0547807430 (ISBN13: 9780547807430) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Setting: | Cuba |
| Literary Awards: | Pura Belpré Award Nominee for Narrative (2014), PEN Center USA Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature (2014) |
Chronicle To Books The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist
“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. The most daring abolitionists were poets who veiled their work in metaphor. Of these, the boldest was Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda, nicknamed Tula. 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. Historical notes, excerpts, and source notes round out this exceptional tribute.
Itemize About Books The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist
| Title | : | The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist |
| Author | : | Margarita Engle |
| Book Format | : | Hardcover |
| Book Edition | : | Deluxe Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 182 pages |
| Published | : | March 19th 2013 by HMH Books for Young Readers |
| Categories | : | Poetry. Historical. Historical Fiction. Young Adult. Fiction |
Rating About Books The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist
Ratings: 3.92 From 1124 Users | 236 ReviewsAppraise About Books The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist
This is a very short but beautiful YA book written completely in verse and dedicated to "Young poets who are in search of words " Margarita Engle has written a fictional account based on the true story of Gertrudis Gomez de Avellanda, ( Tula) a 14 year old girl from the nineteenth century living in the Spanish colony of Cuba who had the courage to speak out with words disguised as poetry and metaphor against slavery, the common custom which forced 14 year old girls to marry wealthy older men inThe whole novel is set in poetic verse. Tula knows how to read and write but is forbidden by her mother to delve into written stories or poetry. It is a waste of time according to mother. Tula is a real historical figure. Engle offers a fictional account of how Tula came to realize her passion as a poet. Tula is Spanish and lives in Cuba. In the 19th century, Cuba was a colony of Spain. Slaves were used to do manual labor in homes and fields. Tula despised slavery at a young age. She also
In a country where both men and words are closely guarded, it is the poet who proved to be the boldest and most daring abolitionist. Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda (nicknamed Tula) is thirteen and enjoying her last year of personal freedom in Cuba. When she turns fourteen, she will be sold into matrimony to the highest bidder and her mother will use the proceeds from her marriage to buy more slaves. Tula abhors slavery and often feels enslaved herself by a society that denies her an education,
Read this with my first grade grandson and it led to some wonderful conversations about social justice. I would highly recommend it as an introduction to those hard discussions.
First picking up this book, I knew I was interested in poetry. I saw the title and was not sure what to expect. As I started reading, I learned that it was about a women's right to an education, to be treated equally and her right to choosing her own marriage. This was different than other poetry that I had read recently. I read about a girl named Tula who loved books, education and wanted equality. Living in Cuba, she would be seen as a rebel if this was known. I learned a lot about what women
I loved this little novel written in verse. Tula, real name Gertrudis Gomez de Avellaneda, is a 14-year-old Cuban girl living a life of wealth and ease. In 19th century Cuba, Tula was powerless: she had no money of her own, could not receive an education, and definitely was not invited to share her political philosophy. Tula's mother was eager to marry off Tula to a wealthy suitor so Tula's family could use the money brought in by the marriage to buy more slaves. This idea--as well as that of
The Lightning Dreamer, a historical novel written in Margarita Engle's notable verse, is meant as a fictional biography of the Cuban Writer Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda, known as Tula. Tula's mother and grandfather have arranged a marriage to an older man in exchange for wealth when she's fourteen years old. "He's promised Tula's hand to the most powerful man in town, a rich merchant who won't refuse such a beautiful young wife, along with the generous dowry my father offers in exchange for the
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