The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist

Bibliography:

Engle, M. (2015). The lightning dreamer: Cuba’s greatest abolitionist. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 

Plot Summary:

Tula is a 14 year old girl living in Cuba during the nineteenth century who resists an arranged marriage and bravely fights for justice.

Critical Analysis:

Margarita Engle creates a beautiful story that is written in verse. Throughout the story, the reader is given a sense of what life was like in nineteenth century Cuba. Engle’s powerful words describe and create an understanding of Cuban culture and later on the spanish culture when she lives in Spain. Engle includes spanish words within the poetry verses that gives constant reminders of the culture. Seeing 14 year old Tula have the courage to speak out for what she wants will encourage young readers to stand up for what they believe in. Although told mostly from Tula’s point of view, the reader also gets to see other character’s point of view as well, which gives them more of an understanding of these characters and their motivations. Although a short story, it will leave you wanting to read more.

Review Excerpts:

Pura Belpre Honor Book

Voya top Shelf for Middle School Readers 2013 list

2014 International Latino Book Award Honorable Mention

“A splendid novel that celebrates one brave woman who rejected a constrained existence with enduring words that continue to sing of freedom.” - Booklist

“An inspiring fictionalized verse biography of one of Cuba’s most influential writers… Fiery and engaging, a powerful portrait of the liberating power of art.” - Kirkus Reviews

Connections:

Read other books by Margarita Engle: Wild Dreamers, A Song of Frutas and Bravo!: Poems About Amazing Hispanics