The Red Umbrella

Name: The Red Umbrella
Brand: Findaway
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (6 reviews)
Author: Christina Diaz Gonzalez
ISBN: 9781942907329

Author: Christina Diaz Gonzalez

Narrator: Kyla Garcia

Unabridged: 7 hr 13 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Ideal Audiobooks

Published: 11/10/2016

Categories: Children's Fiction, Children's Humor, Action & Adventure Stories

Synopsis

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 escapeFidel 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.

About Christina Diaz Gonzalez

Christina Diaz Gonzalez is the Edgar Award-winning author of Concealed, Moving Target, The Red Umbrella and A Thunderous Whisper. She is the author of the graphic novel Invisible, with Gabriela Epstein. Her books have received numerous honors and recognitions including the Florida Book Award and the Nebraska Book Award. They have also been named the American Library Association's Best Fiction for Young Adults, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, and the International Reading Association's Teachers' Choice. Learn more at christinagonzalez.com.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Olivia on October 19, 2019

I read this book in one sitting, which is rare for me considering I’m such a distracted reader. This is such a heart-wrenching novel chronicling the rise of Castro’s power to Lucía’s journey to America through Operación Pedro Pan. My neighbor is one of the children who went through the same thing Lu......more

Goodreads review by Kay on November 07, 2009

I've been wanting to read The Red Umbrella ever since I saw the deal announced and was lucky enough to get to read an ARC. There was something about the premise that struck a chord with me from that first announcement, and I knew it would be special. I just didn't realize why until I started reading......more

Goodreads review by ❤Marie on June 28, 2017

I enjoyed the Red Umbrella very much. It was really good historical fiction and I learned a lot about this period of history. It is the story of the Alvarez family and is told by 14-year old Lucia as she and her family live through Cuba changing from a democracy to an authoritarian state in 1961. It......more

Goodreads review by Moonkiszt on July 01, 2023

Lucia Alvarez is a 12-year old who loves Cuba and her family's place in it through many generations. Her little brother Frankie is a nuisance, but tolerable. Ok, loveable. Mama and Papa, too. Mama with her weird red umbrella, Lucia wishes she would quit using - it is so conspicuous, political even.......more

Goodreads review by Tara on July 21, 2010

This was great!!! It was a wonderful look at the early days of Castro's revolution and Cuban and American relations in 1961. The story is told from a 14 year old girl's point of view, Lucia. Lucia has normal 14 year old growing pains. She likes boys, wants to wear make up, is irritated by her younger......more