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A review by lauriehnatiuk
Cuba in My Pocket by Adrianna Cuevas
5.0
As Fidel Castro has taken over Cuba, Cumba's parents take risks to send him to Florida rather than risk having him sent to Russia to become a soldier. Managing to avoid the local recruiter who arrives early to take Cumba, he sets foot in Miami to stay with Prima Benita, who is doing her best to take in as many Cubans attempting to make a better life. Cumba, as expected, is struggling, missing his family and the stress of representing Cuba with dignity as requested by his parents. Having the assistance of Alehandro Cumba's roommate, Arnold, a new friend at school, and Marvin, a man working at a soda shop, Cumba adjusts to his new life, learning English, trying American food and figuring out a new way of life. When Prima Benita has more family arrive, Cumba must move into foster care and again begin another adjustment while seeing how immigrants are viewed and wondering when and if his family will join him.
What struck me the most about Cuba in Your Pocket is the time that author Adrianna Cuevas took to set up and share the life of the main character Cumba before his family sent him to Florida after Fidel Castro overthrew Batista in the early sixties. In novels I am familiar with, the focus is on the characters' journeys and adjustments to a new life. Adrianna Cuevas spends a lot of time letting us see life for Cumba in Cuba surrounded by his parents, his younger brother, his abuelo and abuela and his friends. Readers get a clear picture of his daily life, the culture and the worries during this time in history. Starting the novel this way allows readers to have a deeper understanding and empathy when Cumba's family takes the risk to send him to America - alone. New country, language, culture leaving everything that he knows and loves behind. I cannot fathom doing this as an adult, never mind, as a preteen.
Upon his arrival in the States, we see how Cumba adapts, courage to embrace change and the resilience to face the many new challenges with a positive attitude. Cumba is a positive role model, leaving readers with a deeper understanding of the events during this time and another perspective that builds empathy. The story is based on the author's family experiences, providing opportunities for discussions. Although based on historical events, many will connect to this story today, and I highly recommend sharing it with middle-grade readers.
What struck me the most about Cuba in Your Pocket is the time that author Adrianna Cuevas took to set up and share the life of the main character Cumba before his family sent him to Florida after Fidel Castro overthrew Batista in the early sixties. In novels I am familiar with, the focus is on the characters' journeys and adjustments to a new life. Adrianna Cuevas spends a lot of time letting us see life for Cumba in Cuba surrounded by his parents, his younger brother, his abuelo and abuela and his friends. Readers get a clear picture of his daily life, the culture and the worries during this time in history. Starting the novel this way allows readers to have a deeper understanding and empathy when Cumba's family takes the risk to send him to America - alone. New country, language, culture leaving everything that he knows and loves behind. I cannot fathom doing this as an adult, never mind, as a preteen.
Upon his arrival in the States, we see how Cumba adapts, courage to embrace change and the resilience to face the many new challenges with a positive attitude. Cumba is a positive role model, leaving readers with a deeper understanding of the events during this time and another perspective that builds empathy. The story is based on the author's family experiences, providing opportunities for discussions. Although based on historical events, many will connect to this story today, and I highly recommend sharing it with middle-grade readers.