Novel!! I read this during my study of Margarita Engle and truly learned so much about the history in Cuba. It was a fun book to read in spanish because it was written in poetry form. I thought the pace was slow at times but overall a good read. ( )

I'm not a huge fan of novels in verse, but this is a wonderful presentation about a part of history I knew nothing about, so I found it pretty fascinating. I was a little troubled by the multiple viewpoints -- the combination of that and the very short poems made the book feel more like a skimmed precis of a volatile time than a story I could really sink my teeth into. Great for reluctant readers, though. ( )

The engaging verses of this text are written from multiple perspectives of Cuban workers during Cuba’s fight for independence from Spain. It skillfully illustrates the history and multi-ethnic identities of the Cuban people. Historical Note, References, Information for Further Reading.

Oh no...Engle says this is the last of this quasi-series about the struggle to end forced labor in Cuba. So sad to see its end, but I look forward to reading her next endeavor. ( )