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El Lector
Thirteen-year-old Bella wants to be a lector just like her grandfather. All day long he sits on a special platform in the cigar factory in Ybor City, Florida, reading books, newspapers, and current events to workers as they roll the cigars. Lectors have always been highly respected members of their Cuban American community.
But now times are changing. When the factory workers clash with the owners, violence erupts and the lectors start losing their jobs. And then there’s the radio. Could this small device replace the lector? It’s up to Bella to determine her future and help her people preserve their history.
But now times are changing. When the factory workers clash with the owners, violence erupts and the lectors start losing their jobs. And then there’s the radio. Could this small device replace the lector? It’s up to Bella to determine her future and help her people preserve their history.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
4 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
William Durbin
59 books56 followersWilliam Durbin lives on Lake Vermilion at the edge of Minnesota's Boundary Waters Wilderness. A winner of the Great Lakes Book Award and a two-time winner of the Minnesota Book award, he has published short stories, essays, and poetry, as well as fourteen novels for young readers, including The Broken Blade, Wintering, Blackwater Ben, The Darkest Evening, The Journal of Otto Peltonen, and El Lector, which has been optioned for film by Jane Starz Productions. His latest novel, co-authored with his wife, Barbara is The Hidden Room. For more information visit his website at williamdurbin.com.
Durbin's honors include a Junior Library Guild Selection, Bank Street College Children’s Book of Year list, the ALA’s Amelia Bloomer list, New York Library Books for the Teen Age list, Maud Hart Lovelace nomination, Jefferson Cup Series of Note Award, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award, America’s Award commended title, Book Sense Summer Pick, Boy’s Life magazine serialization, St. Petersburg Times serialization, nominations for numerous state awards lists, and starred reviews in the major journals.
“William Durbin’s attention to detail—both historical and fictional—make him one of today’s masters of historical YA fiction.” -- David Gill of the NCTE
Durbin's honors include a Junior Library Guild Selection, Bank Street College Children’s Book of Year list, the ALA’s Amelia Bloomer list, New York Library Books for the Teen Age list, Maud Hart Lovelace nomination, Jefferson Cup Series of Note Award, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award, America’s Award commended title, Book Sense Summer Pick, Boy’s Life magazine serialization, St. Petersburg Times serialization, nominations for numerous state awards lists, and starred reviews in the major journals.
“William Durbin’s attention to detail—both historical and fictional—make him one of today’s masters of historical YA fiction.” -- David Gill of the NCTE
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 23, 2007
I liked El Lector better than the 3 star rating might suggest, mainly because it takes on labor issues and that is apparently a tough topic to write about for children without sounding too strident. Or too ambivalent. This book veered a bit toward the didactic before reining in.
The character of Tia Lola was wonderful. There is such a tendency to characterize female workers during the Depression as downtrodden drudges in sunbonnets, but in fact, many of the younger ones were thoroughly modern with bobbed hair, lipstick, and a pretty darn insouciant attitude toward the opposite sex. Lola let the reader see what that might look like.
It was refreshing to read a book set in Florida during the Great Depression, and Durbin did a wonderful job of explaining the culture of the tobacco workers and the practice of el lector. Like the main character, Bella, I want to be el lector!!
The character of Tia Lola was wonderful. There is such a tendency to characterize female workers during the Depression as downtrodden drudges in sunbonnets, but in fact, many of the younger ones were thoroughly modern with bobbed hair, lipstick, and a pretty darn insouciant attitude toward the opposite sex. Lola let the reader see what that might look like.
It was refreshing to read a book set in Florida during the Great Depression, and Durbin did a wonderful job of explaining the culture of the tobacco workers and the practice of el lector. Like the main character, Bella, I want to be el lector!!
August 13, 2024
The main story line is interesting. I found the little information about lector's very interesting, and appreciated the character development. The grandfather is especially lovable and is a source of wisdom. It was good to see the growth in each of the characters, some of which were surprising. There were a few times that I wish the author would have "showed instead of told" some of the nuggets applicable to life. He obviously did not want his young readers to miss the point, so I can grace that because of the intended audience.
Concerns: For a middle school audience it holds interest. But not always in the ways that a parent may hope. Two considerations stand out to me. The 3-4 times the mother responds to one of her children's misbehavior is disturbing as she references hanging herself on the clothes line. And the aunt's loose morals and encouragement of teen girl to present herself more sexually is also disturbing to include in a book intended towards the similar age girls who already have enough of that in our culture. That said, the aunt also takes protective verbal measures for same girl in that matter. But that fact does not redeem that this is even a detailed substory. Other potential triggers that are not overly dwelled upon: father murdered, lynching, KKK, grief, hunger, depression, brief violence, physically missing father, bullying, and?? I do not recall any swearing, alphabet, sorcery, witchcraft, abuse in family, drug use, abortion, etc.
IMO: this is a fine read for mature teens that will not be negatively influenced or effected by concerns above.
Concerns: For a middle school audience it holds interest. But not always in the ways that a parent may hope. Two considerations stand out to me. The 3-4 times the mother responds to one of her children's misbehavior is disturbing as she references hanging herself on the clothes line. And the aunt's loose morals and encouragement of teen girl to present herself more sexually is also disturbing to include in a book intended towards the similar age girls who already have enough of that in our culture. That said, the aunt also takes protective verbal measures for same girl in that matter. But that fact does not redeem that this is even a detailed substory. Other potential triggers that are not overly dwelled upon: father murdered, lynching, KKK, grief, hunger, depression, brief violence, physically missing father, bullying, and?? I do not recall any swearing, alphabet, sorcery, witchcraft, abuse in family, drug use, abortion, etc.
IMO: this is a fine read for mature teens that will not be negatively influenced or effected by concerns above.
February 4, 2016
In 1931 Ybor City, FL, 13-year-old Bella wants to be a respected lector like her grandfather. He is a lector at the cigar factory, reading aloud to the workers from the newspapers, literary classics and union news. Bella knows she must be educated to be a lector and she hopes to attend high school with her best friend Mary. But with her father dead and her mother supporting the family with laundry jobs, Bella ends up working in the cigar factory stripping room. Change is afoot; the union and the workers are agitating for better pay and working conditions. Bella’s Tia Lola tries to get her involved. At the same time, the radio is making inroads in the community and factories, threatening grandfather’s livelihood. Bella comes to make her peace with the changes: the union is working for the good of the workers and she gets grandfather a job at the radio station presenting its Spanish story hour.
April 12, 2008
The author does an excellent job of leading the reader into a time and place that has not been addressed in children's lit. The cigar factories in southern Florida were an entree into the US for many new immigrants, but the working conditions were hard for many. The idea of having a "lector" or a person who keeps the factory workers entertained and enlightened while they are working is a wonderful image. This story is set when radios are being introduced and the labor movement is becoming more active. We see these changes through the eyes of Bella, who hopes to be a lector like her grandfather. The characters are well drawn, particularly her aunt and her grandfather. This is well worth reading.
April 30, 2012
It was interesting to read about the lectores and what life was like for cigar rollers in Florida back in the day; but the story was boring. I don't know why I torture myself and keep reading a book to the end even if I find it boring, but I just have to, hoping a book gets better. The story just lacked the intrigue to make me want to keep turning the pages. Finally, the last three chapters were interesting enough to help me finish the book. We all dream of writing a book that will make it big and make us rich, but this is probably what most of us would end up writing. Somehow, this one got published.
July 12, 2008
El Lector means the reader in english. Bella and everyone else in Ybor city Florida love to hear her grandfather read books. He stands at a lecturn in a cigar factory to read to the workers. This book really captures life in 1931 florida. I can't do this book justice with my review, just read it, you'll love it too.
June 13, 2014
El Lector brings to life Ybor City, Florida, 1931. The author's research is evident, as he paints a picture of a family struggling to manage after a number of hardships. Bella, who finishes eighth grade during the novel, is smart and caring. Her grandfather is a man of honor, and el lector that Bella hopes to someday be.
April 7, 2016
Another good book from Will Durbin. Set in Tampa Bay FL in the early 1930s in the cigar rolling factories and the labor movement taking place. A YA novel with a great historical setting. Not sure about some of the Spanish in the book, as my Spanish speaking friends had no idea what some of the Spanish words were. Perhaps they were from old Spain? I have no idea, neither did they.
February 2, 2013
Not something I'd have picked up and read unless it had been 'forced' on me by the library as a challenge book for Hot Reads for Cold Nights.
But, well written and it deals with a part of twentieth century history I had very limited exposure to.
But, well written and it deals with a part of twentieth century history I had very limited exposure to.
April 6, 2014
middle grades
third person POV
AR test
Set in Ybor City (outside Tampa) in 1931, tells the story of 13-yr-old Bella's Cuban family who work in the cigar factories, and Bella's dream of continuing her schooling and becoming a lector like her grandfather.
third person POV
AR test
Set in Ybor City (outside Tampa) in 1931, tells the story of 13-yr-old Bella's Cuban family who work in the cigar factories, and Bella's dream of continuing her schooling and becoming a lector like her grandfather.
April 23, 2008
It was interesting to learn more about what life was like in Ybor City back in the heyday of the cigar factories, but the book lacked real suspense and intrigue.
April 5, 2009
I read this with my students for a field trip we're going on. It's set in historic Tampa (Ybor City). Very interesting young adult novel.
October 9, 2017
It was a pretty good book if you’re not into much suspense and action. Personally I felt there were places were the writer could have added a bit more action. Thought the last two-thirds of the book there was a little more of a want to keep reading. Still recommend reading if you’re into historical fiction.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews