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My Brigadista Year
My Brigadista Year | Katherine Paterson
7 posts | 4 read | 10 to read
In an engrossing historical novel, the Newbery Medal-winning author of Bridge to Terabithia follows a young Cuban teenager as she volunteers for Fidel Castro's national literacy campaign and travels into the impoverished countryside to teach others how to read. When thirteen-year-old Nora tells her parents that she wants to join Premier Castro's army of young literacy teachers, her mother screeches to high heaven, and her father roars like a lion. Nora has barely been outside of Havana -- why would she throw away her life in a remote shack with no electricity, sleeping on a hammock in somebody's kitchen? But Nora is stubborn: didn't her parents teach her to share what she has with someone in need? Surprisingly, Nora's abuela takes her side, even as she makes Nora promise to come home if things get too hard. But how will Nora know for sure when that time has come? Shining light on a little-known moment in history, Katherine Paterson traces a young teen's coming-of-age journey from a sheltered life to a singular mission: teaching fellow Cubans of all ages to read and write, while helping with the work of their daily lives and sharing the dangers posed by counterrevolutionaries hiding in the hills nearby. Inspired by true accounts, the novel includes an author's note and a timeline of Cuban history.
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WanderingBookaneer
My Brigadista Year | Katherine Paterson
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This article reminded me of tagged book:

https://apple.news/AthfGTqMgSB6_qSgwbRA9IQ

Chrissyreadit I suspect there is so much complexity to countries and regimes we have been “taught” to fear and hate- after all the lens of the US has many horror stories as well for BIPOC and LGBTQ. I‘m very curious about Cuba now. 3y
sarahbarnes My partner is Cuban - I‘m going to share this with her. Thanks for the post! ❤️ 3y
WanderingBookaneer I'm half-Cuban and heard stories of the brigadistas from my mom who lived in the countryside, @sarahbarnes 3y
sarahbarnes That‘s really cool! 3y
51 likes4 stack adds4 comments
review
marlenabea
My Brigadista Year | Katherine Paterson
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Pickpick

This novel taught me about a part of revolutionary Cuba I had not learned, the story of 700,000 Cubans being taught to read and write by over 200,000 Cubans in 1961. Interesting to read from the perspective of a 13-year-old literacy volunteer from a family who supported Castro's revolution. The author also included a brief timeline of Cuban history that was nice to have and an author's note that acknowledged the complexities of revolutionary Cuba.

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marlenabea
My Brigadista Year | Katherine Paterson
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"First of all, you must take that look of gloom off your face. Stand up straight and confront head-on whatever it is. Just standing taller will make you feel more confident. And that smile of yours is the greatest asset you have. Don't forget to include that."

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marlenabea
My Brigadista Year | Katherine Paterson
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Finally my sick baby is napping and I can begin a new book. My last purchase from the school book fair.

Andrew65 Love a good map in a book. Hope your baby gets well soon. (edited) 6y
81 likes1 comment
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GinEyre22
My Brigadista Year | Katherine Paterson
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Books gifts for my parents! Katherine Paterson and Fredrik Backman for my mom. David Baldacci for my dad #Christmas2017

CatLass007 I‘m in love with Fredrik Backman‘s writing! 6y
20 likes1 comment
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monalyisha
My Brigadista Year | Katherine Paterson
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I expect to love each of these titles. I tend to reserve my 5 star ratings for my absolute favorite books... but you never know!#fivestarpredictions

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (3/17)
Forest Dark by Nicole Krauss (9/17)
Reincarnation Blues by Michael Poore (8/17)
My Brigadista Year by Katherine Paterson (10/17)
The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer (4/18)
Laser Moose & Rabbit Boy: Disco Fever by Doug Savage (10/17)

Tagging @Megann886

readordierachel Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy! I love that title. 🦌🐇 7y
monalyisha @ReadOrDieRachel It's a follow-up title. The first one just killed me. 🙌🏻 7y
30 likes2 comments
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lilredhen
My Brigadista Year | Katherine Paterson
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Pickpick

This is a great chapter book for middle grade readers 😁 Looking forward to my daughter finishing it so we can discuss it.