Red Umbrella Book Trailer on Vimeo.
Knopf Books for Young Readers | 2010 | ASIN: B0036S4C1Q
Synopsis
The Red Umbrella describes the ordeal of Lucía Álvarez and her family during the years of Fidel Castro’s takeover in Cuba. The novel realistically portrays the agony of ordinary citizens as they watch their country being torn apart by propaganda and violence. The Álvarez family is middle class; Papá works at the bank, and Mamá cares for the children, Lucía who is 14, and Fernando, 7. Living in Puerto Mijares, the family initially escapes the political unrest sweeping the countryside but eventually it reaches even their small community. Exhausted by worry and betrayed by family and friend, Papá makes the decision to send Lucía and Frankie to Miami. He has managed to secure passage for them alone but he and Mamá must stay in Cuba. As the two children make their way in a foreign culture, they struggle to adapt and fit in. They are homesick and afraid, yet Lucía never wavers in her care for Frankie and in her determination to make her parents proud of her. She matures and begins to understand the sacrifice they have made; so despite her anger at times, she resolves to make the best of their situation. Eventually, the Álvarez family is reunited but not without a price paid, both in Cuba and in the United States. The novel ends with Lucía’s realization that some ideals, such as freedom of thought and action, are worth the price.
Rationale for Use in the English Classroom
This novel is well written and appropriate for use in the English classroom for grades 7 and up. The text is not difficult and Spanish words are related in context that is easy to understand. There is a Spanish glossary at the end of the novel, but it is not necessary for understanding most sections of the story. Lucía’s story is based upon the real life experiences of the author’s parents and builds upon younger immigrant stories such as Esperanza Rising. Good literature helps students make connections to their own lives and The Red Umbrella does that well. Lucía stumbles at times to do what is right; she argues with and disagrees with her parents. She believes at first that their fears are overreactions to inevitable change, but when she is confronted with graphic and public violence, she concedes that she is young and naïve about political matters. As a strong female protagonist, she overcomes many obstacles, yet she is betrayed by her best friend in Cuba and must come to terms with that disloyalty eventually. The nature of friendship remains an important topic for young readers and The Red Umbrella can be used to foster discussion and writing on that theme. Additionally, this book can be paired with other immigrant novels such as Life After by Sarah Darer Littman and Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe García McCall. Both of these novels also include themes of political discord that prohibits characters from returning to their homelands and the requirement of older daughters to care for younger siblings. These novels expose students to literature from Spanish speaking cultures and can help overcome any prejudicial attitudes about why or how immigrants come to live in the United States, the difficulties they face when arriving, and the losses they endure when they stay. Before/During/After Reading Activities
Before reading, students should be exposed to a short history of Cuba and the revolution orchestrated by Fidel Castro. This PBS website gives a good short analysis of the changes in Cuba between 1958 and 1961 when the novel takes place.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/castro/timeline/
During reading, debate the decision made by Mr. Álvarez to send his children to an unknown place at the mercy of foreign interests. Although students may not be able to entirely sympathize with the plight of a parent, (or they may consider the United States a better place to live anyway), teachers can encourage better critical thinking with well designed questions and role play where appropriate. Older students will empathize better with the responsibility of deciding what to do in a crisis, middle school readers may relate to Lucía and Frankie’s situation of being sent away from the family more.
After reading, create a “Teen Immigrant’s Guide to Surviving American High School” (can also be adapted to middle school). Students can use a variety of media to complete the project. They can write a blog, create a Tumblr page, produce a video, etc. Topics to be covered: common language (using vernacular language), grading systems, clothing choices, time management, social groups, food and communication. Students may include other ideas as well.
Connections to Other Content Areas The Red Umbrella makes obvious connections to both History and Social Studies curricula. Spanish language classes can also use the novel to explore how Spanish speaking immigrants have changed United States culture. Educators in private or parochial schools may have the flexibility to investigate how organized religion played a role in evacuating and placing the children of Cuba; human rights activism is highly visible today in other parts of the world as well as in Central America. Government classes could use the story as a starting point for examining the obligations of government to care for its citizens, how revolutionary governments fulfill their promises of reform, etc.
Submitted by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
