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The Poet Slave of Cuba
The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano | Margarita Engle
6 posts | 5 read | 4 to read
A lyrical biography of a Cuban slave who escaped to become a celebrated poet. Born into the household of a wealthy slave owner in Cuba in 1797, Juan Francisco Manzano spent his early years by the side of a woman who made him call her Mama, even though he had a mama of his own. Denied an education, young Juan still showed an exceptional talent for poetry. His verses reflect the beauty of his world, but they also expose its hideous cruelty. Powerful, haunting poems and breathtaking illustrations create a portrait of a life in which even the pain of slavery could not extinguish the capacity for hope. The Poet Slave of Cuba is the winner of the 2008 Pura Belpre Medal for Narrative and a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year. Latino Interest.
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Eggs
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Written in verse, this is the biography of Juan Francisco Manzano, who, despite his tragic life, found hope in poetry, art, and nature. For author Engle, the overarching concepts are the evils of censorship within or without the scourge of slavery.

#Pantone2023 @Clwojick
#SummerEndReadathon Day 10 @TheSpineView
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Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 14mo
TheSpineView Fantastic! 14mo
Eggs @Andrew65 ☺️😍 14mo
Eggs @TheSpineView 😊🥰 14mo
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WanderingBookaneer
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WanderingBookaneer
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GatheringBooks
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#HeatOfJuly Day 17: #URemindMe of a childhood I never had, may be the refrain of the poet slave of Cuba. This is a powerful novel-in-verse reviewed by Fats: “Margarita creates a hauntingly beautiful albeit powerful novel-in-verse about the deathly grips of slavery and the healing power of poetry.” Full review: https://wp.me/pDlzr-2KW

Cathythoughts Great post .. 💫 6y
BarbaraBB Amen! 6y
Cinfhen Love the illustrations 6y
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Kristy_K
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Written in verse, this short biography tells the story of the tragic life of Juan Francisco Manzano as a slave in Cuba. It's heartbreaking and infuriating and yet somehow laced with hope.

I'm off to see if I can find any translated works of his (and hope the translations can do it justice).
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#biography #cuba #verse

Cinfhen Works for @JenP reading around the world challenge 7y
JenP Sounds interesting. I will also see if I can find some of the original Spanish works. Thanks for sharing your review. I think you are the first to complete a book this month! 7y
JenP Oops, sorry thought it was @Cinfhen who posted. But you're still the first to read even if you weren't reading for our challenge 😂 7y
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HippieChickHomeschool I've got to get this! Looks amazing! 7y
Kristy_K @JenP Haha. I'll take it. 7y
Cinfhen I'm really behind on your challenge @JenP 😣 7y
JenP @Cinfhen me too but I'm hoping to finish Botswana book today 7y
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Reese_Pearly.Pages
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Decided to read a nonfiction book this month. I didn't know anything about Juan Francisco Manzano, but I enjoyed this short biography. May check to see if any of his work has been translated. 🙂