90 Miles to Havana

Flores-Galbis, Enrique. (2010). 90 Miles to Havana. New York, New York: Roaring Brook Press.

     

      Julian is a young boy swept up in a Cuban Revolution and sent by his parents to Miami, Florida,  where the government officials cannot touch him.  Here he is placed in a camp ruled over by a child-dictator, which calls for a mini-revolution carried out by the children.  In this way Julian learns about revolution and dictatorship first-hand and understands the implications of a democratic society.  Julian runs away from the camp and also learns what it means to live an unsheltered life while retaining his superior moral character.  Julian meets Tomas who is fixing up a boat to help reunite more families in Miami.  Can Julian help Tomas and will he find his family again?  After this experience, will Julian ever be able to be a boy again and will his family accept him for who he really is?  This is an excellent book and provides invaluable insight to a little known historical event. (Grades 5 and up).