A middle grade historical novel about a twelve-year-old boy who leaves his family in Cuba to immigrate to the U.S. by himself, based on the author's family history.
When the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 solidifies Castro’s power in Cuba, twelve-year-old Cumba’s family makes the difficult decision to send him to Florida alone. Faced with the prospect of living in another country by himself, Cumba tries to remember the sound of his father’s clarinet, the smell of his mother’s lavender perfume.
Life in the United States presents a whole new set of challenges. Lost in a sea of English speakers, Cumba has to navigate a new city, a new school, and new freedom all on his own. With each day, Cumba feels more confident in his new surroundings, but he continues to wonder: Will his family ever be whole again? Or will they remain just out of reach, ninety miles across the sea?
Title alpha Con Cuba en el bolsillo (Cuba in My Pocket)
Category Spanish Middle
Pages Count 352
Topics Cuban Americans. Families. History of Cuba, 1959–1990. Immigration. Friendship. Miami, Florida. Spanish language materials.
Lexile 750L
Trim Size 7 3/4" x 5 1/4"
JLG Span Fall
Language Spanish
Rights type Print
Publication date 2023-04-03
JLG Release Date Oct 2023
Minimum grade 5
Maximum grade 8
Reading level Middle
Format Print
Spanish Middle (Grades 5-8)
Spanish Middle
Spanish Middle (Grades 5-8)
For Grades 5-8
This collection provides a mix of fiction and nonfiction, offering authentic Spanish-language literature and translations of popular books. Perfect for building fluency and deepening engagement with Spanish texts.