The Surrender Tree review by Sarah Bartholomew
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Engle, Margarita. The Surrender Tree. New York, NY: Henry Holt, 2008.
ISBN 9780805086744
2. PLOT SUMMARY
The setting is 19th century Cuba and revolves around Cuba’s decades of rebellion against Spain in hopes of independence. Since Rosa is able to heal the sick and the wounded, she provides physical support to the rebellion. Her incredible ability to heal others eventually turns her into a legend and a sort of symbol of hope for the rebels. She builds hospitals and trains others on how to use plants, herbs, and flowers to cure illnesses. This results in the loyalists hunting her. Rosa continues to hide and stay strong, constantly hoping and looking towards a better future.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Engle’s poems are written from the perspective of five different people and their experiences in 19th century Cuba. Most are rebels fighting for Cuban independence, but the perspective of a Spanish loyalist is also given. Each poem reads like a journal entry with personal thoughts and feelings the character has about the events occurring around them. These short poems from differing characters help to bring the revolution to life. The reader is able to feel as though they are in the middle of all the action; a front-row seat so to speak. The lack of rhyme and rhythm to the poems helps to better set a serious tone and better present the emotion of the character who is speaking/writing. The word choice is very deliberate as it helps to create a vivid image of the environment and the living conditions of Cuba at this time.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
2009 NEWBERY HONOR
2009 PURA BELPRE MEDAL
2009 CLAUDIA LEWIS AWARD
From School Library Journal: “Hauntingly beautiful, revealing pieces of Cuba's troubled past through the poetry of hidden moments.”
From Kirkus Review: “Young readers will come away inspired by these portraits of courageous ordinary people.”
5. CONNECTIONS
Gather other works by Margarita Engle
Light for All ISBN 9781534457270
Your Heart My Sky ISBN 9781534464964
A Song of Fritos ISBN 9781534444898
All the Way to Havana ISBN 9781627796422
Gather other stories about/from Cuba
Rodriguez, Patty and Stein, Ariana Vamanos a Havana. ISBN 9781947971424
Behar, Ruth. Letter from Cuba. ISBN 978-0525516491
Gather other stories about people who escaped slavery
Cline-Ransome, Lesa. Before She Was Harriett. ISBN 9780823444298
Lester, Julius. From Slave Ship to Freedom Road. ISBN 9780140566697
Levine, Ellen. Henry’s Freedom Box. ISBN 9780439777339
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