The Red Umbrella

By: Christina Diaz Gonzalez

Narrated by: Kyla Garcia

The Red Umbrella is a moving tale of a 14-year-old girl's journey from Cuba to America as part of Operation Pedro Pan - an organized exodus of more than 14,000 unaccompanied children, whose parents sent them away to escape Fidel Castro's revolution.

In 1961, two years after the Communist revolution, Lucía Álvarez still leads a carefree life, dreaming of parties and her first crush. But when the soldiers come to her sleepy Cuban town, everything begins to change. Freedoms are stripped away. Neighbors disappear. And soon, Lucía's parents make the heart-wrenching decision to send her and her little brother to the United States - on their own. Suddenly plunked down in Nebraska with well-meaning strangers, Lucía struggles to adapt to a new country, a new language, a new way of life. But what of her old life? Will she ever see her home or her parents again? And if she does, will she still be the same girl? The Red Umbrella is a touching story of country, culture, family, and the true meaning of home.

©2011 Christina Diaz Gonzalez (P)2016 Ideal Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Debut author Gonzalez excels at highlighting the cultural difficulties...memorable heroine and supporting cast offer a moving portrait of resilience and reinvention." ( Publishers Weekly)

the overall story

I love the voice and the story, the story taught me a lot of things and help me with my book reports, this story was wonderful

excellent book

great book that helps youth understand what happened during that time frame in terms they can understand.

Frankie’s voice was adorable. Love how the Badgers took in such great kids.

This story of immigrant children starting over in a new country is something very special.

Touching and true

I’m so glad that my daughter had to read this book in school. I’ve heard a version of this story from my Cuban friends, and this paints the picture so eloquently for children and preteens. This book was beautifully written and should be required reading in Miami-Dade county.

Excellent!!

I don’t normally write reviews, but I enjoyed this story immensely. And the narrator’s performance was superb (and I’m picky about that). Highly recommend. I hope this author and narrator will do more!