THE FIREFLY LETTERS - (Book Review for TWU LS 5603 class)

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Engle, Margarita.  2010.  THE FIREFLY LETTERS: A SUFFRAGETTE’S JOURNEY TO CUBA.  ISBN: 9780805090826

PLOT SUMMARY
Engle has written a free verse poetry novel based on the diaries of Fredricka Bremer, a suffragette from Sweden who travels to Cuba in 1851 to observe and learn of women’s issues there.  Her travels and encounters are told through the voices of three main characters: Fredricka, Cecilia – a 15-year old married and pregnant slave of an aristocratic family who is charged with translating and escorting Fredricka around Cuba, and Elena – the 12-year old aristocratic daughter.  These three women form a bond as they travel around the city and countryside, each of them learning, growing, or changing their beliefs about their own future roles in a society of slavery, male dominance,  and women’s rights. 

CRITICAL ANALYSISThe free verse style of writing allows a lot to be said in just a few words.  Some of it flows like a (death) sentence “at the ornately barred window,/embroidering curlicues/ like the fancy ironwork/ that separates me/ from the rest of the word”(110).  The staccato lines help to accentuate the emotions, “as people – the strangers/ who came with guns/ to seize children/ or with goods/ to buy children” (49).

This story takes the huge role of slavery and makes it appear to be something that a young person can ‘fix’ with a simple solution.  Elena’s desire to help Cecilia came about too quickly; the resolution to sell all her hope chest work was too handy; being able to collect enough money was too effortless. 

However, the storyline depicting life in Cuba at that time is fascinating.  The glimpses into the personal lives of the different classes of people are enlightening.  The changes that Fredricka wanted to enable are admirable.  It is a sweet story of three women who connect (despite age and social differences) and then achieve the ultimate accomplishment of securing freedom for one slave.

AWARDS
ALSC Notable Children's Book
IRA Notable Books for a Global Society
Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
Jane Addams Award
Pura Belpre 2011Author Honor
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens
Texas TAYSHAS High School Reading List

REVIEW EXCERPTS
KIRKUS REVIEWS – “effectively alternates the voices of the three protagonists … and demonstrates how each character affects the others, all learning a measure of freedom”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY- “opens the door to discussions of slavery, women's rights, and the economic disparity between rich and poor”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL – “. The easily digestible, poetic narrative makes this a perfect choice for reluctant readers, students of the women's movement, those interested in Cuba, and teens with biography assignments.”

 BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS - “The author has a gift for imbuing seemingly effortless text with powerful emotions. . . .This uncommon story will resonate when placed in the hands of the right reader.”

THE HORN BOOK -  “The imagistic, multiple first-person narrative works handily in revealing Bremer, an alert and intelligent woman in rebellion against her background of privilege.”

BOOKLIST - “Through this moving combination of historical viewpoints, Engle creates dramatic tension among the characters, especially in the story of Elena, who makes a surprising sacrifice.”

CONNECTIOINSAlcott, Louisa May.  LITTLE WOMEN (Classic Starts Series).  ISBN 978-1402712364 Engle, Margarita.  THE SURRENDER TREE: POEMS OF CUBA’S STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM.  ISBN 9780805033157 Flores-Galbis, Enrique.  90 MILES TO HAVANA.  ISBN 9781596431683 Frost, Helen.  DIAMOND WILLOW.  ISBN 9780312603830Nelson, Marilyn.  THE FREEDOM BUSINESS. ISBN 9781032425574 Preus, Margi.  HEART OF A SAMURAI.  ISBN 9780810989818 Reedy, Trent.  WORDS IN THE DUST.  ISBN 9780545261258