Bibliography
Cardenas Angualo, T. (1998). Letters to my mother. Berkeley, Ca: Publishers Group West.
103 pages
Plot
Letters to My Mother is an epistolary novel about a young Afro-Cuban girl writing to her deceased mother. The young girl is living with her aunt and grandmother, in a small apartment. The girl must face issues with a negligent guardian, verbally abusive relatives, and a poverty-stricken life with little alternative. Writing letters to her mother allows the young girl to deal with her situation. The young girl is never named by her real name, but a derogatory nickname given to her by her grandmother. Although the young girl contemplates how life would be if she joined her mother, Letters to My Mother is a story of strength, and hope for a better life.
Review
Originally written in Spanish, Letters to My Mother tells an interesting story of a young girl’s life in rural Cuba. The girl’s voice is harrowing and real, as she writes about her life, religion, school, abuse, and poverty. In many ways readers who find this book will witness distinct differences between the young girl’s life and that of their own. Nevertheless, the girl’s growth throughout the novel shows one of promise. She learns to love and find solace in writing to her deceased mother. She is an intelligent girl who endeavors to do what is right. Ultimately, the novel reflects the effects of poverty, abuse, and the ability to overcome with love and self-realization.
Genre
Realistic Contemporary Fiction
Reading Level/Interest Level
Due to the content of the book, this book would be most suitable for readers in 6 – 8th grade.
Similar Content
Ludie’s Life by Cynthia Rylant
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Carver: A Life of Poems by Marilyn Nelson
Keeper of the Night by Kimberly Willis Holt
Personal thoughts
This book was a bit difficult to read in terms of theme and content. The young girl goes through numerous abuses and situations, but in the end she still has faith in her ability to survive.
Subjects/themes
Abuse
Poverty
Death
Racism
Multiculturalism
Awards
Reviews claim that the book has received major awards, however upon searching under Letters to My Mother and Cartas a mi Mama, no such awards have been found. That is not to say that this book did not receive awards, just that in my research, I did not find any.
Series information
No known series.
Character names/descriptions
Unnamed Narrator: A young girl trying to survive after the death of her mother and the abuse and neglect from her relatives.
Annotation
Sometimes writing letters is the only way you can stay alive. A young girl in Cuba must overcome her relatives’ abuse and resentment to learn what it means to survive.
Cardenas Angualo, T. (1998). Letters to my mother. Berkeley, Ca: Publishers Group West.
103 pages
Plot
Letters to My Mother is an epistolary novel about a young Afro-Cuban girl writing to her deceased mother. The young girl is living with her aunt and grandmother, in a small apartment. The girl must face issues with a negligent guardian, verbally abusive relatives, and a poverty-stricken life with little alternative. Writing letters to her mother allows the young girl to deal with her situation. The young girl is never named by her real name, but a derogatory nickname given to her by her grandmother. Although the young girl contemplates how life would be if she joined her mother, Letters to My Mother is a story of strength, and hope for a better life.
Review
Originally written in Spanish, Letters to My Mother tells an interesting story of a young girl’s life in rural Cuba. The girl’s voice is harrowing and real, as she writes about her life, religion, school, abuse, and poverty. In many ways readers who find this book will witness distinct differences between the young girl’s life and that of their own. Nevertheless, the girl’s growth throughout the novel shows one of promise. She learns to love and find solace in writing to her deceased mother. She is an intelligent girl who endeavors to do what is right. Ultimately, the novel reflects the effects of poverty, abuse, and the ability to overcome with love and self-realization.
Genre
Realistic Contemporary Fiction
Reading Level/Interest Level
Due to the content of the book, this book would be most suitable for readers in 6 – 8th grade.
Similar Content
Ludie’s Life by Cynthia Rylant
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Carver: A Life of Poems by Marilyn Nelson
Keeper of the Night by Kimberly Willis Holt
Personal thoughts
This book was a bit difficult to read in terms of theme and content. The young girl goes through numerous abuses and situations, but in the end she still has faith in her ability to survive.
Subjects/themes
Abuse
Poverty
Death
Racism
Multiculturalism
Awards
Reviews claim that the book has received major awards, however upon searching under Letters to My Mother and Cartas a mi Mama, no such awards have been found. That is not to say that this book did not receive awards, just that in my research, I did not find any.
Series information
No known series.
Character names/descriptions
Unnamed Narrator: A young girl trying to survive after the death of her mother and the abuse and neglect from her relatives.
Annotation
Sometimes writing letters is the only way you can stay alive. A young girl in Cuba must overcome her relatives’ abuse and resentment to learn what it means to survive.
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