Tropical Secrets

Read. This. Book. True, it won't be released for a few more weeks. But make note of it now to get to this one when you get the chance. Written by Margarita Engle--an acclaimed verse novelist--the book is the story of Daniel, a Jewish refugee, and the friends he makes in Cuba--Paloma and David. Danie......more

Another success by Engle Honestly, the women is a maestro with the way she interweaves history with poetry. While there were some parts that were a bit slow, the story and meaning is there. This book is not only important to know the history of Jewish Refugees who were prevented from entering both Ame......more

There are multiple points of view in this novel, and not really enough time to get to know each one; in other words, character development was poor. I feel that the main character was Paloma - a Cuban native, and the daughter of a corrupt government official who is very greedy. She secretly helps Je......more

If children's authors were given superpowers upon the occasion of their first publication, I know what Margarita Engle's would be. Stealth. She's the kind of author you never see coming. You can pick up a book of hers, be it The Poet Slave of Cuba or The Surrender Tree and you'll never see her wordp......more

Hauntingly sad. Beware of lies and hatred being spewed toward a people group to incite rejection. This from a boy rescued from the clutches of evil in Germany and welcomed in Cuba before the propaganda against Jews shut down the benevolence: I will never understand the whole world or even one countr......more