by Margarita Engle
Flap Copy Description:
When Fredrika Bremer asked the Swedish Consulate to find her a quiet home in the Cuban countryside she expected a rustic thatched hut, not this luxurious mansion in Matanzas, where Elena, the daughter of the house, can barely step foot outside.
The freedom to roam is something that women and girls in Cuba do not have. Yet when Fredrika sets off to learn about the people of this magical island, she is accompanied by Cecelia, a young slave who longs for her lost home in Africa. Soon Elena sneaks out of the house to join them. As the three women explore the lush countryside, they form a bond that breaks the barriers of language and culture.
My Thoughts:
This novel in verse, by Cuban-American poet, Margarita Engle, is a Pura Belpre' Honor book. Ms. Engle's exquisite writing style is the perfect vehicle for her lovely story. This beautiful novel is not only written in heartfelt, poignant prose, but was inspired by the author, Fredrika Bremer's life. Ms. Bremer was Sweden's first female novelist, and was one of the earliest advocates for women's rights in the world. I would highly recommend The Firefly Letters to all females from the ages of eight to eighty.
To visit the website of the award-winning author, Margarita Engle, click here: http://margaritaengle.com/
To learn more about the life of Sweden's Fredrika Bremer, click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredrika_Bremer
