Margarita Engle

In free verse, evokes the voice of Gertrudis Gomez de Avellaneda, a book-loving writer, feminist, and abolitionist who courageously fought injustice in nineteenth-century Cuba. Includes historical notes, excerpts from her writings, biographical information, and source notes.

In early twentieth-century Cuba, bandits terrorize the countryside as a young farm girl struggles with dyslexia. Based on the life of the author's grandmother.

A boy helps his father keep their very old car running as they make a trip to Havana for his newborn cousin's zero-year birthday. Includes author's note about cars in Cuba.

Cuba has fought three wars for independence, and still she is not free. This history in verse creates a lyrical portrait of Cuba.

In the Middle Ages, people believed that insects were evil, born from mud in a process called spontaneous generation. This is the story of one young girl who took the time to observe and learn, and in so doing disproved a theory that went all the way back to ancient Greece.

Eloísa's struggles fade away when she sits by the window and listens to the neighbor's radio, and one magical day young musicians gather outside and turn the neighborhood into a joyful orchestra of neighbors and strangers. Includes information on different instruments.

A small rabbit wishes with all his might to grow big--as big as the forest itself--until he discovers the advantage of being small and smart.

A girl and her community celebrate the arrival of the water man when he comes on his weekly visit to distribute water to a Cuban village. Includes author's note.

"Inspirado en historias de la infancia de su madre, la célebre autora Margarita Engle y el premiado artista John Parra, han creado un vibrante libro ilustrado sobre como una jovencita y su familia encuentran alegría en la música que entraba por su ventana. Eloísa ama la música, pero como su familia es muy humilde, solo puede escuchar los ritmos y melodías que entran cuando abre su ventana. Pajaritos y gatos, con sus voces, entonan coros a diario,...

"Six months before the famous Wright Brothers' first flight, Aída de Acosta became the first woman to fly a powered aircraft."--