Book Blurb {Before We Were Free}

Before We Were Free

By: Julia Alvarez

What a beautiful story to read. It was very interesting to read during our current situation (Covid Crisis) for there were moments that paralleled between this story and today.

The story focuses on a family living in the beautiful Dominican Republic during the 1960's and their dictator, "El Jefe". The book is from the view of a young teenage girl. It is a lovely combination of growing up, family dynamics, politics and war.

The author, Julia, grew up in the Dominican during this time and remembers how important it is to share the story. Although the book is not a biography, she shares that several of the events that took place also happened in her real life.

The author does state that a lot of Latin countries have experienced power-hungry dictators and similar events with trying to over throw the government. When the family flees to NYC for safety, it made me have a great appreciation for living here. Although not always pleased with the president, I am thankful that he's not a dictator and someone new can come along.

The book also made me realize how little I know about other countries and wish I could know it all.  The book is short, fast paced and from the perspective of a teenager.  Great read and highly recommend.

PS - One of my favorite characters was Chucha and if anything you should read the book to find out why!

******

Title: Before We Were Free

Author/Illutrator: Julia Alvarez

Does the story:

Relate to children’s interests? ✅
Provide various conflicts for readers to explore? ✅ 
Provide age-appropriate content? ✅ for pre-teens and teens (although I enjoyed it)
Encourage discussions/conversations? ✅
Distort history?  
Comments/Insights: The story is captivating and fast paced! It is based around historical events but it is not a biography. Written from the perspective a teen girl in the 1960's. 

Do the characters:

Represent a variety of people within cultural groups, age ranges and sizes and disabilities? ✅
Are the “good” characters a reflection of a variety of backgrounds? ✅ (American, Italians, the Embassy).
Include females as well as males in leadership and/or non-traditional roles? ✅ (her mother is helping!)
Represent diverse people at the same “level” of the white characters?
Are all characters depicted realistically and genuinely? ✅
Tend to be depicted as stereotypical?
Comments/Insights: The characters are well thought out. Focuses on a family and their close friends.

Does the theme:

Offer readers a variety of things to think about, question, and consider? ✅
Explore, instead of preach, values? ✅
Include lessons from which readers can learn? ✅
Tell the story of a diverse population in a condescending manner, whether contemporary or in the past? ✅
Comments/Insights: It would most definitely provide a discussion! See questions in back of book for more guidance.

Does the story’s setting:

Reflect a variety of places and spaces? ✅✅✅
Represent urban, suburban, and rural settings realistically? ✅
Represent cultural settings realistically? ✅
Comments/Insights: Very accurate I felt, the author lived this and I'd imagine she would be able to share her experience well. 

Do the story illustrations (if there are any): 
Include representation of diverse populations?
Contain diversity represented within cultural groups?
Include characters depicted realistically and genuinely?
Avoid reinforcing societal stereotypes?
Comments/Insights: not present

Book as a Whole 

Would you be embarrassed to read the book to children of a different culture, and their parents?
What is the author’s background for writing the book? Their first book, inspired by his own family I believe. 
What is the context of the book?

Comments/Insights:

Personal Insights
Your personal notes/insights about the book not covered in the previous sections: See blog!