Letters from Cuba by Ruth Behar

How I Heard About It:

*This has been a busy time for me and my reading.  I seem to be getting a book a day from members of #bookexpedition.  Opening up the package that contained this title was quite exciting as I had heard such great comments about the new novel from author Ruth Behar.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:

1. *The entire story is told from a series of letter from one young girl to her sister.

2.  *Esther lives in Poland with her siblings and her mother.  Her father has fled Poland and is attempting to make a life in Cuba.

3.  *Esther promises her sister she will document everything that happens as she travels from Poland, across the sea, and in Cuba.  

4.  *Once in Cuba, she joins her father and adapts to a new way of life with a new group of people.  She experiences some exceptional highs and a few lows along the way.

5.  *While exploring the "gifts" she holds, Esther navigates her new world while never forgetting her old one.  
 

What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
1.  *I enjoyed the format of letters.  They didn't seem like letters and the story unfolded quite naturally as it would in prose fashion.

2.  *Esther's journey was powerful, thought-provoking, and emotional on many levels.

3.  *After reading the author's notes that the story came from her own family's history made the reading even more meaningful.

4. *Reading about life in Cuba in post WWII was fascinating.  As I read I could picture what Esther, her father, and the various other characters were going through.

5.  *To be honest, there were a few sections that dragged on a bit and I wondered if the young reader would have the attention for these slower moments. 


Who Should Read It:
*The story is a bit longer and can move at a slow pace in certain spots.  For these reasons, I would say the reader should be in grades five and/or six.  The middle-school reader might be better for the novel.  Of course adult readers that gravitate toward middle-grade will definitely want to put the title on their TBR list.  Happy Reading! 

Rating:   4 STARS out of 5 Stars