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The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist
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The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist Hardcover - 2013

by Margarita Engle

Newbery Honor-winner Margarita Engle tells the story of Cuban folk hero, abolitionist, and women's rights pioneer Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda in this powerful new YA historical novel in verse.


Summary

“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.

Details

  • Title The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist
  • Author Margarita Engle
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Pages 192
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Houghton Mifflin, New York
  • Date 2013-03-19
  • ISBN 9780547807430 / 0547807430
  • Weight 0.65 lbs (0.29 kg)
  • Dimensions 8 x 5.6 x 0.9 in (20.32 x 14.22 x 2.29 cm)
  • Ages 13 to 17 years
  • Grade levels 8 - 12
  • Reading level 1070
  • Library of Congress subjects Novels in verse, Authors
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2013003913
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Media reviews

"This is the context for a splendid novel that celebrates one brave woman who rejected a constrained existence with enduring words that continue to sing of freedom."
Booklist, starred review

"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

"In these poems, their longings for freedom, their fears, their loves, and their heartaches are elegantly crafted through images that make the island of Cuba and its people vividly real and connect them to the hearts of contemporary readers."
Bulletin

"A quick and powerful read worthy of addition to any collection. The verses speak of tolerance and acceptance beyond the context of this story."
VOYA 4Q 2P M J S

"Engle adds another superb title to her lengthening list of historical novels in verse. . . . This is a must-have for collections where Engle's other works are known and loved or for anyone in need of a comparative study to our own country's struggle with slavery."
School Library Journal

About the author

Margarita Engle is a Cuban American poet and novelist whose work has been published in many countries. Her books include the Newbery Honor-winning Surrender Tree, The Poet Slave of Cuba, Tropical Secrets, The Firefly Letters, and Hurricane Dancers. She lives with her husband in Northern California. Visit her website at www.margaritaengle.com.

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The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist
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The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist

by Engle, Ms. Margarita

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by Engle, Margarita

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by Engle, Margarita

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The Lightning Dreamer : Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist
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The Lightning Dreamer : Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist

by Engle, Margarita

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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The Lightning Dreamer : Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist
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The Lightning Dreamer : Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist

by Engle, Margarita

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The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist
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by Engle, Margarita

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The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist
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The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist

by Engle, Margarita

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780547807430 / 0547807430
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The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist
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The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist

by Engle, Ms. Margarita

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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