Letters from Cuba
by Ruth Behar
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About This Book
Pura Belpré Award Winner Ruth Behar's inspiring story of a Jewish girl who escapes Poland to make a new life in Cuba, where she works to rescue the rest of her family The situation is getting dire for Jews in Poland on the eve of World War II. Esther's father has fled to Cuba, and she is the first one to join him. It's heartbreaking to be separated from her beloved sister, so Esther promises to write down everything that happens until they're reunited. And she does, recording both the good--the
Our Review
This moving historical novel follows a young Jewish girl's journey from 1930s Poland to Cuba, where she documents her new life through letters to her sister left behind. As Esther adjusts to Caribbean culture while worrying about her family's safety in Europe, readers experience her dual perspective through vivid, heartfelt correspondence. The narrative beautifully captures both the warmth of her Cuban community and the looming threat of World War II, creating an accessible introduction to this little-known chapter of Jewish refugee history.
Behar's Pura Belpré Award-winning storytelling shines through Esther's observant voice, which notices everything from tropical fruits to religious traditions with equal curiosity. Young readers will connect with Esther's courage as she navigates language barriers and builds new friendships while never forgetting her promise to help her family escape. This immigrant story offers both cultural richness and emotional depth, making World War II history personally resonant for middle grade readers discovering historical fiction.
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