★ 10/03/2022
With insight and empathy, former Sesame Street actor Manzano (A World Together) explores the impact of Fidel Castro’s rise and revolution through the eyes of four young people building new lives amid a climate of political turmoil. In separate but overlapping sections, Ana, Miguel, Zulema, and Juan offer various perspectives on the turbulent political uprising, highlighting intersectional nuances around class and race. Ana’s segment concentrates on the revolution’s tail end in 1959 Havana, where her father has returned from fighting for Castro. Miguel details challenges for immigrants and refugees in 1961 Miami after he is sent into care while waiting for his parents. Zulema’s section, based in the Cuban countryside in 1961, delves into Castro’s literacy campaign, while Juan’s section considers youth radicalization in 1961 Havana through the lens of two friends. In stories that brim with love for Cuba while highlighting a difficult historical moment, Manzano employs graceful, straightforward prose, highlighting the experiences, and will, of Cuba’s people as they navigate the events’ fallout with alternating anguish and elation. Back matter includes a timeline of the book’s events and resources. Ages 9–12. (Aug.)
Praise for THE REVOLUTION OF EVELYN SERRANO:*"This wry, moving debut novel does a great job of blending the personal and the political. . . while the family drama and revelations continue right up to the end."—BOOKLIST, starred review *"Characters of surprising dimension round out the plot and add to the novel's cultural authenticity. . . A stunning debut."—KIRKUS, starred reviewCELEBRITY ENDORSEMENTS "An important story about activism, acceptance, and love. Sonia Manzano vividly portrays a neighborhood in turmoil, with embraceable characters who change history."—Pam Munoz Ryan, Pura Belpre Award-winning author of The Dreamer and Esperanza Rising "The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano should be placed on proud display with the literature that enriches our multicultural America. History will come alive for young readers who will identify with how a great historic moment can affect one girl and her family."—Julia Alvarez, Pura Belpre Award-winning author of Before We Were Free and How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents"This novel is meant to be savored in delicious bites. I loved its snap and down-home-El Barrio-in-your-face-tell-it-like-it-is tone."—Oscar Hijuelos, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love "Thank you, Sonia Manzano, for capturing important moments for Puerto Ricans, and for reminding us that history doesn't just happen, we live with it and with its consequences."—Esmeralda Santiago, Alex Award-winning author of Almost a Woman and When I was Puerto Rican"The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano underscores the struggle that triumphed in the lives of Latinos. Here is a book that creates indelible political awareness."—Nicholasa Mohr, National Book Award Finalist, author of El Bronx Remembered"I love this book! It's smart, real, painfully funny, and filled with the wisdom of a writer who can get to the hearts and souls of her readers. Sonia Manzano, standing ovation! (Encore, please!)"—John Leguizamo, Emmy Award winning actor-comedian
★ 2022-05-25
Four young people deal with the harsh realities of Castro’s Cuba in this novel by author and Sesame Street actress Manzano.
In overlapping short stories, readers hear from Ana, Miguel, Zulema, and Juan about how Castro’s revolution affected their lives. They come from different backgrounds, reflect Cuba’s racial diversity, and suffer varied consequences in the aftermath of Castro’s rise to power. Ana’s father is home from fighting in the mountains with Fidel; her family, like many Cubans, wanted to build a better country only to realize too late that Fidel had fooled them. Miguel, on the other hand, is one of thousands of Pedro Pan children, sent to the U.S. alone to protect them; he arrives in Miami and goes to live in an orphanage. Zulema and her rural community learn to read thanks to young brigadistas—but they’re only allowed access to state-sanctioned propaganda. In Havana, Juan loses his best friend, who eagerly participates in the militaristic pioneros; being on opposing sides wreaks havoc in their lives. Through these young people’s experiences, the realities of Cubans’ lives are presented in nuanced and complex ways in this thoroughly researched work. Many moments will ring true to young Cubans who have grown up on family stories, down to the slang and details of daily life at the time.
A well-researched, thoughtful, and moving look at post-revolutionary Cuba. (author’s note, historical notes, timeline, resources) (Fiction. 9-13)
A quartet of narrators and the author beautifully perform this view of Cuba during the early years of Fidel Castro’s government. The interwoven stories of four children show how the Cuban Revolution impacted each of their lives. Listeners are taken to Havana, rural Cuba, New York City, and Miami as narrators Vivia Font, Gary Tiedemann, Rebecca Soler, and Giordan Diaz bring their characters' stories to life. All of the performers showcase their talents as they navigate the rise of communism through the eyes of the four children, capturing their progression from naïveté to maturity as their worlds are turned upside down. The author’s performance of her introduction and her postscript on why she wrote this book enhances the listening experience. A.L.S.M. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
A quartet of narrators and the author beautifully perform this view of Cuba during the early years of Fidel Castro’s government. The interwoven stories of four children show how the Cuban Revolution impacted each of their lives. Listeners are taken to Havana, rural Cuba, New York City, and Miami as narrators Vivia Font, Gary Tiedemann, Rebecca Soler, and Giordan Diaz bring their characters' stories to life. All of the performers showcase their talents as they navigate the rise of communism through the eyes of the four children, capturing their progression from naïveté to maturity as their worlds are turned upside down. The author’s performance of her introduction and her postscript on why she wrote this book enhances the listening experience. A.L.S.M. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
