The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom

The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom is a

John Newbery Honor

in 2009.

Plot

The novel opens in

Weyler's

concentration camps. Rosa does not discriminate against anyone needing help, and turns caves into hospitals that are hidden and known only to a few. The slave hunter, Lieutenant Death, has become obsessed with finding Rosa, and destroying the hospitals that she has created.

Characters

Rosa: once a slave and then turned into a nurse healer
Lieutenant Death: Slave hunter
Valeriano Weyler, 1st Duke of Rubí
: A ruthless army officer
Silvia: orphan child

Historical basis

The character of Rosa is based on a historical Cuban heroine, Rosa Castellanos, known as “La bayamesa”.^[1] However, the real Rosa was born in 1834 and would have been in her fifties and sixties in the period covered by the novel.

Critical reception

The Surrender Tree has been viewed by many and seen as a powerful book of poems. The Horn Book Magazine writes “A powerful narrative in free verse...haunting.”^[2] “Hauntingly beautiful, revealing pieces of Cuba’s troubled past through the poetry of hidden moments” said School Library Journal.^[3] Others may agree with Kirkus Reviews saying that “Young readers will come away inspired by these portraits of courageous ordinary people.”^[4] The author “Engle writes her new book in clear, short lines of stirring free verse caught by the compelling narrative voices, many readers will want to find out more.” Finally, “The Poems are short but incredibly evocative” according to Voice of Youth Advocates.^[5]

Awards

2009
Newbery Honor
2009 Pura Belpre Medal
2009 Claudia Lewis Award
2009 Jane Adams Children's Book
Michigan Great Lakes Great Books Award Master List
Lee Bennett Hopkins Honor
ALA Best Books for Young Adults
Americas Award
Booklist Editor's Choice
Junior Library Guild Selection
ALA Notable Book
NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book
Amelia Bloomer Book
Kansas State Reading Circle

References

^ Bardales, Aida (April 16, 2009). "Q & A with Margarita Engle". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
^ Jane, López-Santillana. The Surrender Tree: Poems Of Cuba's. Horn Book Magazine 84.4 (2008): 465-466. Academic Search Complete. Web. 25 Nov. 2014.
^ Maza, Jill Heritage. "The Surrender Tree: Poems Of Cuba's Struggle For Freedom." School Library Journal 54.6 (2008): 158-159. Academic Search Complete. Web. 25 Nov. 2014.
^ Rochman, Hazel. "The Surrender Tree: Poems Of Cuba's Struggle For Freedom." Booklist 104.14 (2008): 53. Academic Search Complete. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. Vancouver/ICMJEReferences
^ "Pure Poetry: VOYA's Poetry Picks For 2008." Voice Of Youth Advocates 32.1 (2009): 13. Library & Information Science Source. Web. 25 Nov. 2014

External links

Review at About.com

[1] Bardales, Aida (April 16, 2009). "Q & A with Margarita Engle". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved November 11, 2014.

[2] Jane, López-Santillana. The Surrender Tree: Poems Of Cuba's. Horn Book Magazine 84.4 (2008): 465-466. Academic Search Complete. Web. 25 Nov. 2014.

[3] Maza, Jill Heritage. "The Surrender Tree: Poems Of Cuba's Struggle For Freedom." School Library Journal 54.6 (2008): 158-159. Academic Search Complete. Web. 25 Nov. 2014.

[4] Rochman, Hazel. "The Surrender Tree: Poems Of Cuba's Struggle For Freedom." Booklist 104.14 (2008): 53. Academic Search Complete. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. Vancouver/ICMJEReferences

[5] "Pure Poetry: VOYA's Poetry Picks For 2008." Voice Of Youth Advocates 32.1 (2009): 13. Library & Information Science Source. Web. 25 Nov. 2014

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