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shaundell's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent book about the struggles that Cubans face during the revolution and the lengths they go to to leave the country.
kelleemoye's review against another edition
5.0
And my Cuban history knowledge grew even more with this book which is a companion to The Red Umbrella but in a way that makes them both standalones but with a secret connection. The Bluest Sky, which comes out next week, is another historical fiction masterpiece by Gonzalez which once again tells us a moving story within the context of engaging history.
mrs_bookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
What a powerful and emotional book! I loved every page.
xangemthelibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was really hard to read. Not hard in the sense that I struggled through it, because I didn't. I finished this in less than a day. This was emotionally difficult to read. This may be a middle grade book, but it pulls zero punches about how scary it was for Cuban people who did not agree with communism. And as people fled their home for America, seeking refuge, the Cuban government did everything it possibly could to make those fleeing miserable.
The one person I felt the most sorry for, however, was a minor character that didn't even get a full page dedicated to him. He had been in prison in Cuba because he was gay. And because Cuba decided to get rid of him, he was put onto a ship with out main character. When he finally set his feet onto American shores, he cried out, "Freedom!" But I know America. And America in the 80's was not friendly to the LGBTQIAP+ community. It still isn't; not really. Especially in red states like Texas and Florida. And this super minor character is stuck in my head because... I can't help but wonder if he ended up feeling cheated once he learned that he wouldn't be safe, even in America: the land of the "free."
The one person I felt the most sorry for, however, was a minor character that didn't even get a full page dedicated to him. He had been in prison in Cuba because he was gay. And because Cuba decided to get rid of him, he was put onto a ship with out main character. When he finally set his feet onto American shores, he cried out, "Freedom!" But I know America. And America in the 80's was not friendly to the LGBTQIAP+ community. It still isn't; not really. Especially in red states like Texas and Florida. And this super minor character is stuck in my head because... I can't help but wonder if he ended up feeling cheated once he learned that he wouldn't be safe, even in America: the land of the "free."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
steffany's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
paperbacks_and_ponytails's review against another edition
4.0
This story is set during the 1980s in Cuba. What started out as a slow beginning, quickly turned into a run for your life kind of story. I really enjoyed learning more about a time that I don't know too much about when some of the Cuban population was trying to leave their own country to come to Florida for freedom. The main character I wasn't a fan of in the beginning, but I did really like the understanding that he learned throughout the book on what was happening to his country.
A story of friendship and family. An emotional rollercoaster.
Almost a 5 star read for me, but I found the beginning a little slow and there were two instances, that the book didn't need to make it a great story.
A story of friendship and family. An emotional rollercoaster.
Almost a 5 star read for me, but I found the beginning a little slow and there were two instances, that the book didn't need to make it a great story.
missprint's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
alissabar's review against another edition
4.0
Well written historical fiction on a topic most people have no clue about.
marianeedstoread's review against another edition
5.0
Set in Cuba in 1980, Hector's life seems to be ordinary. He enjoys hanging with his 2 best friends, Teo and Isabel, he mostly gets along with his older brother, and he's a math whiz working his way to join the Cuban National Math Olympiad Team. Under the surface, tensions are bubbling in Communist Cuba and anyone who denounces the government or tries to leave is publicly shamed and even worse, like his father who has been exiled to the United States. Unbeknownst to Hector, when the Cuban government allows those who wish to leave exit visas, his mother plans to get their family out of Cuba to reunite with his father. But for Hector, this means leaving his home, his friends and destroys the likelihood of his ever making the Math Olympiad team. But when tragedy strikes, Hector's life changes in an instant and so does his perspective on what's important.
This middle grade novel provides an insight perspective on how life in Communist Cuba might be perceived from a child's point of view. When you don't know anything different, you just accept the world as it is. This is a coming of age story of a young naive boy who is just learning about his world and the larger world outside his bubble. He has dreams and hopes and is fiercely loyal to those he loves. I read this with my 6th grade son and it was a gem of a book to share together.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House and Knopf Books for this early review copy. This review can also be found on IG @maria.needs.to.read and on Goodreads.
This middle grade novel provides an insight perspective on how life in Communist Cuba might be perceived from a child's point of view. When you don't know anything different, you just accept the world as it is. This is a coming of age story of a young naive boy who is just learning about his world and the larger world outside his bubble. He has dreams and hopes and is fiercely loyal to those he loves. I read this with my 6th grade son and it was a gem of a book to share together.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House and Knopf Books for this early review copy. This review can also be found on IG @maria.needs.to.read and on Goodreads.