Island Treasures: Growing Up in Cuba

by Alma Flor Ada, Antonio Martorell (Illustrator), Edel Rodriguez (Illustrator)

The author of My Name Is María Isabel offers an inspiring look at her childhood in Cuba in this collection that includes Where the Flame Trees Bloom , Under the Royal Palms , five new stories, and more.

These true autobiographical tales from renowned Hispanic author and educator Alma Flor Ada are filled with family love and traditions, secrets and deep friendships, and a gorgeous, moving picture of the island of Cuba, where Alma Flor grew up. Told through the eyes of a child, a whole world comes to life in these the blind great-grandmother who never went to school but whose wisdom and generosity overflowed to those around her; the hired hand Samoné, whose love for music overcame all difficulties; the beloved dance teacher who helped sustain young Alma Flor through a miserable year in school; her dear and daring Uncle Medardo, who bravely flew airplanes; and more.

Heartwarming, poignant, and often humorous, this wonderful collection encourages readers to discover the stories in their own lives—and to celebrate the joys and struggles we all share, no matter where or when we grew up. Featuring the classic and award-winning books Where the Flame Trees Bloom and Under the Royal Palms , Island Treasures also includes a new collection, Days at La Quinta Simoni , many new family photographs, and a Spanish-to-English glossary.

Genres: Memoir, Middle Grade, Biography, Nonfiction, Family, Childrens, Latinx

240 pages, Hardcover

First published August 25, 2015

About the author

(http://facebook.com/almaflorada)

Dr. Ada was the founder and First Editor in Chief of :
NABE, Journal of the National Association for Bilingual Education

She has been active for many years in various professional associations including : IRA, International Reading Association
CRA, California Reading Association
CABE, California Association for Bilingual Education
USIBBY, US Branch of the International Board of Books for Young People

She is a member of :
Advisory Board of Loose Leaf Public Radio Programs
National Television Workshop
Between the Lines
Reading Up!, Natural Head Start Association

A frequent speaker at national and international conferences, Dr. Ada also works in school districts with children, teachers and parents.

The award-winning author of numerous children’s books and a prolific translator, Alma Flor Ada is a leading mentor and philosopher of bilingual education in the United States.

She has authored several reading programs, among them two Spanish reading programs :
Cielo abierto (K-6)
Vamos de fiesta! (K-3)

and of two English reading programs :
Signatures (K-6)
Collections (K- 6)

and is a series consultant for Relatos de la historia (1-5), a Spanish social studies program developed by Harcourt School Publishers.

Among her most substantive contributions to the transmission of Hispanic culture to children are :
Música amiga, a program for learning through songs, published by Del Sol Books
Puertas al Sol - Pathways to the Sun, published by Santillana
Latino poetry, Art, and Biographies for children, published by Santillana

Dr. Ada received her Ph.D. in Spanish Literature from the Pontifical Catholic University of Lima, Perú and did post-doctoral research at Harvard University as a Fellow of the Radcliffe Institute and a Fulbright Research Scholar.

Reviews

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and extremely enjoyable.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a while to read this book, savoring each part, a combination of three smaller ones by Alma Flor Ida, her memories of growing up in Cuba. The final one, Under The Royal Palms, won the Pura Belpré award. The writing was slow and easy, sweet times with mostly family, amazing stories like spending time with a great-grandmother who lived in a tiny house next door, one uncle’s reason for becoming a doctor, counting bats in the evening with a grandmother, Alma’s love for ballet and the special person, Gilda, and on. Each one introduced Spanish words (there is an extensive glossary), friends and family (noted also at the back), and a part I loved especially, the flora and fauna of Cuba. This will be a wonderful mentor text for writing memoirs.

[G just wont stop reading❤️📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all the little stories in it. I. Picked it up and finished it all in two days. 😍👍

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The prose in this book was beautiful and painted a vivid picture of life in Cuba many years ago (I actually wasn't sure the time period. I need to return to the book to piece that part together better.), but with no overarching plot or story, I kept wondering if a middle schooler would stick with this book. There were times I felt like I could quit reading and still have experienced the book well enough. (I did finish it, though.) It might be a good book to use for short readings, examples of superior and vivid short story writing, etc.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collects two previous books, plus a shorter one, giving stories of youth and family. They are written at a level that is easy for younger readers but still really beautiful and creating a strong picture of the time and place. Good for multicultural understanding, but also for multi-generational relationships.

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved listening to each story in all three books. They are all my favorites and had so much feeling in each one.

[Kori Weaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book full of stories from a girl who lived in Cuba. It is rich with Cuban traditions and with everything this young girl experienced within her family. Though I am not a non-fiction fan, I found the stories very interesting. What I was hoping to find were the political times of her life and what it looked like in Cuba with the regime in control. These are sweet stories, all of them about her and her family, but they just ended without any kind of glue to hold it together...such as when she grew up...how long she stayed in Cuba...anything about its rich history. 3 good solid stars for the stories. 2 lacking in what Cuba went through to hold it together as we are all getting to know it as a country "unattainable" for so many years. I honestly don't see a middle schooler holding onto this book and getting anything from it because it isn't "relatable" and it didn't have a plot to hold her stories together with a clear picture of what Cuba was like. Many sweet and sad stories of a family, but I just see them happening anywhere. Not a middle school favorite, for sure!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are not enough autobiographies/biographies for young readers that hold their interest for the entire book. Island Treasures is broken up into small sections and chapters that keep a young reader interested. Reading this book was like sitting with a close family member and asking them to "tell me a story" about someone in our family who had passed away. It keeps our loved ones alive. In the beginning of the novel, there is a note from the author where she states that writing about her family members and her childhood keeps those memories alive and honors those family members who have passed. It was a beautiful note to begin with. I would love to use this novel when teaching narrative writing. Many students (especially at 6th grade) feel like they do not have significant life stories or life events to write about, but this book can open their eyes to telling stories about their family, which in turn, is a part of them. It can open up conversations at home about their past and their long, lost relatives.

[Hellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such an interesting memoir collection and I think readers will enjoy it a great deal. The stories are brief and they paint a vivid picture of the author’s life and of life in Cuba in the 1940s. It reminded me of my grandfather and how he used to share stories about his childhood, complete with the nostalgia that often accompanied such reminiscing. The author shares stories of family, extended family, and community. Sometimes they are happy and humorous and sometimes they are sorrowful, but they are beautifully drawn and recounted. (The book also includes a glossary of Spanish terms.)

[Mark Will Never Cry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book felt extremely personal to the author and it felt very nicely written. It was easy to feel the amiliarity that the author would talk about. However, the book is written from the perspective of a child, so there are many things that are dumbed down for whatever reason. Also, if you are planning to read it in order to discover more about Cuban culture, you must keep in mind that the author mainly talks about their family and not culture overall.

Also, just a personal thing, I hate singing out of nowhere in audiobooks and this book had so much of it.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listed in CCBC Choices 2016 under Biography and Autobiography. Alma Flor Ada tells new stories about growing up in Cuba added to previously published stories. Readers enjoy the simple storytelling of childhood memories. So much so, that one can imagine writing some personal stories of their own. Couldn't help buy wonder as I was reading if this book wouldn't be more appreciated by adults. Sweet Spot: ?

[JennLynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little gem of a book about a girl growing up amid a loving family in small-town , mid-century Cuba. Heartens back to a sweeter, gentler, simpler time where most days are uneventful yet special and worth cherishing. A few bittersweet stories - and one real tragedy - in the final section of the book, but most paint a picture of a beautifully happy childhood. Introspective readers will enjoy savouring them a few at a time to make the book last as long as possible.

[Lizzy Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It was beautiful the way she described her grandfather. In the story choices I felt very nostalgic when the grandfather talked about his dyeing wife and how he had to stay for her. This part related to me very well. I loved every second of this short story. I can't wait to read the rest.

[Nancy Engle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alma is such a wonderful story teller. This would be a wonderful book to read to students each day for 10-15 minues as each chapter is a separate story. Many stories also can bring up great discussions on being a positive influence on others and looking at the good in people and situations.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

These touching vignettes of Alma Flor Ada’s Cuban childhood are filled with the warmth and strength she felt from her family and friends. Alvarado’s evocative narrative balances Ada’s young voice with those of her grandparents and many family friends. Truly delightful.

[Elizabeth Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the style of this book was not my favorite, the stories inside the book were very nice. Ada writes in a different style and is a little more formal than others. The stories she tells are very personal to her and tells a lot about her family, even though the readers have never met them.

[Evan Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a girls grandfather that moved to Cuba for the wealth. He then loses everything after moving a realizes that there is more to life than just wealth. This book shows that wealth is not everything.

[Elyssa DeAngulo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author tells about her own life through telling stories about her family. It creates great visuals of nature and life in Cuba. Students can learn about another culture. It teaches people are more important than wealth.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations, they are definitely in a unique style. A very detail-oriented book that shows life from one perspective. It's a recollection of a tale about a grandfather. It's a very traditional way for a story to be told and spread.

[Kären Marroquin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of short stories from Alma Flor Ada's childhood. She paints a clear picture of her life in Cuba and introduces us to various family members. This book contains three separate volumes (two that had been previously published) which can be a little off-putting.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, gentle stories of growing up in Cuba.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memoir of a Cuban childhood.

[Ms.Gaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version - it was very well done!

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the stories--but not the format. It was fun to learn about another persons experiences in another part of the world. I was touched by the love and generosity showed by her family.

[Caliana Berch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good but I don't think it is suited for younger kids. The way it is formatted is a little difficult for younger audiences.

[Stevie Cupp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really beautiful story. Has amazing pictures, and would be great to read to a class for some diversity. Depending on your class, it gives a look into a very different life.

[Sarah Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the colors used on the cover of the book I think they help draw in the reader. The author tells the tale of growing up in Cuba in a way that is interesting and enjoyable for all kids to read.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Upper elementary, discusses some tragic events.

[Chloe Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot wait to reread with my sons, a beautiful set of portraits of a love-filled life.

[Shannel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Top 5 Reasons to Read Island Treasures: Growing Up in Cuba by Alma Flor Ada

Reading Island Treasures: Growing Up in Cuba by Alma Flor Ada will have you very interested. Here are 5 reasons why you should read it.

1. Sharing Experiences: In this book, Alma shares her story about growing up in Cuba when she was younger.

2. Sharing Cultural Traditions: Along with sharing experiences, she also talks about the traditions that originated in Cuba

3. Shares Crazy Stories: In this book, Alma talks about the stories that her grandparents told her and explains how it affected her.

4. Realistic Characters: In the book, Alma talks about kids coming from different families (money wise) and they were all playing like it doesn't affect them. But in certain places, the social class matters and is effective in how people live their lives.

5. Important Themes: As Alma lives her life, she's learns some important lessons along the way and can be related in the real world as well.

Therefore, Island Treasures: Growing Up in Cuba by Alma Flor Ada is a really interesting book to read if you want to explore how other people in different cultures live their lives.