The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist


Bibliography
Engle, Margarita, 2013. THE LIGHTNING DREAMER: CUBA'S GREATEST ABOLITIONIST. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 9780544541122.

Plot Summary
It's 1827 in Cuba, thirteen year old Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda (nicknamed Tula) is tired of the ongoing slavery and treatment of women. Her family is busy arranging her upcoming marriage much to Tula's disappointment. All she wants to do is read, write, and learn, but society wants her to stay quiet and not have original thoughts of her own. Refusing to stay quiet and confined, Tula uses her strong voice to speak up about arranged marriages, slavery, and equality rights through her poetry. 

Critical Analysis
Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda was very much a real person in Cuba's history during the 1800's. Despite not knowing Tula personally and creating realistic details, Engle has captured the fiery, bold passion of Tula and shared her powerful story to readers everywhere. During this time in Cuba, it was forbidden for women to receive a full education, learning how to read and write; basically having free thoughts. Their freedom did not exist, many families who had money arranged their daughter's marriages. It was also a time where Cuban land owners imprisoned slaves and punished them for any mishaps. These true, heartbreaking events inspired Tula to risk her life and eventually do what she thought was best; writing free verse poems, releasing all the bottled up emotions she had felt in her life. Engle does a phenomenal job creating the secrecy, uncertainty, and anger building up in Tula. It's what drives her to seek out her independence and passion in life, not settling for anything less, becoming one of the most daring female abolitionists in Cuba's history. Engle's work will capture reader's hearts and continue the celebration of this brave woman fighting for equal rights and freedom. 

Review Excerpt(s)
Pura Belpré Honor Book
Winner of the 2014 PEN Literary Award for Best Young Adult Book
VOYA Top Shelf for Middle School Readers 2013 list
2014 International Latino Book Award Honorable Mention
YALSA 2014 Best Fiction for Young Adults
Starred review in BOOKLIST: "A splendid novel that celebrates one brave woman who rejected a constrained existence with enduring words that continue to sing of freedom."
Starred review in KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Fiery and engaging, a powerful portrait of the liberating power of art." 

Connections
- For fans of historical fiction, told from the point of view of a brave, coming of age girl living in Cuba. 
- Any readers interested in learning about the Cuba's history in the 1800's, regarding woman's rights and slavery. 
- Readers will be inspired by Tula to speak up for what they believe in and share their powerful emotions.
- Similar book recommendations:
Engle, Margarita, 2017. THE FIREFLY LETTERS: A SUFFRAGETTE'S JOURNEY TO CUBA. ISBN 9781250110961
Engle, Margarita, 2010. THE SURRENDER TREE: POEMS OF CUBA'S STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM. ISBN 9780312608712

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