Lucia hates her mother's red umbrella. It is too bright and attracts too much attention. Attracting attention in 1961 Cuba is dangerous. Prominent citizens who criticize Castro's revolution are shot, hung, or disappear. Valuables are to be turned over to the government for the good of all. Schools are closed and the young people are encouraged to join the junior guards. Neighbors turn in neighbors and who knows who can be trusted. Lucia's parents send her and her brother to the United States under a program sponsored by the Catholic Church. They are first sent to a facility and then to the Baxter farm in Nebraska. Their parents are able to join them and their father, who has been injured, uses the red umbrella as a cane. Great descriptions of life in Cuba during the revolution, including what was eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, what holiday meals consisted of, and what were Lucia's favorite foods & snacks can be found in The Red Umbrella. Also included are descriptions of the different foods served in America and Mrs. Baxter's attempts to recreate Cuban favorites.
Teen Best of the Best
Truman Award Preliminary Nominee 2012-13
Food
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