The Red Umbrella (Paperback)
The Red Umbrella is a moving tale of a 14-year-old girl's journey from Cuba to America as part of Operation Pedro Pan—an organized exodus of more than 14,000 unaccompanied children, whose parents sent them away to escape Fidel Castro's revolution.
In 1961, two years after the Communist revolution, Lucía Álvarez still leads a carefree life, dreaming of parties and her first crush. But when the soldiers come to her sleepy Cuban town, everything begins to change. Freedoms are stripped away. Neighbors disappear. And soon, Lucía's parents make the heart-wrenching decision to send her and her little brother to the United States—on their own.
Suddenly plunked down in Nebraska with well-meaning strangers, Lucía struggles to adapt to a new country, a new language, a new way of life. But what of her old life? Will she ever see her home or her parents again? And if she does, will she still be the same girl?
The Red Umbrella is a touching story of country, culture, family, and the true meaning of home.
“Captures the fervor, uncertainty and fear of the times. . . . Compelling.” –The Washington Post
“Gonzalez deals effectively with separation, culture shock, homesickness, uncertainty and identity as she captures what is also a grand adventure.” –San Francisco Chronicle
Christina Diaz Gonzalez based this powerful novel on the experiences of her parents, and of the more than 14,000 other unaccompanied minors who came to the United States through Operation Pedro Pan. This mass exodus of children is a little-known and fascinating piece of history, and Gonzalez has created a story that brings that history vibrantly to life.
Gonzalez practiced law for several years before returning to her childhood passion for stories and writing. The Red Umbrella is her first novel.
Christina Diaz Gonzalez lives in Miami, Florida, with her husband and two sons. You can visit her on the Web at www.christinagonzalez.com.
A Top Ten Indie Next List Pick
An ABA New Voices Selection
The Florida Book Award Gold Medal Winner for Young Adult Literature
A Latina Magazine Book of the Year
A Christian Science Monitor Book of the Year
A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year
A CCBC Choices Book
“A remarkable debut novel.” –San Francisco Book Review
“The memorable heroine and supporting cast offer a moving portrait of resilience and reinvention.” –Publishers Weekly
“Through Lucia’s captivating voice, readers travel in time. . . . Gonzalez enters the literary scene with this exceptional historical novel that portrays the beginning of the Cuban exodus.” –Kirkus Reviews
“Based on the author’s parent’s story, Gonzalez’s first novel captures the heart-wrenching, personal drama of family separation.” –Booklist
“Through the eyes of (the) likeable young narrator, readers will understand a compelling part of history. Kudos to Christina Diaz Gonzalez for sharing her family’s story, and for telling it so well.” –The Christian Science Monitor
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