The Red Umbrella is a moving tale of a 14-year-old girl's journey from Cuba to America as part of Operation Pedro Pan—an organized exodus of more than 14,000 unaccompanied children, whose parents sent them away to escape Fidel Castro's revolution.

In 1961, two years after the Communist revolution, Lucía Álvarez still leads a carefree life, dreaming of parties and her first crush. But when the soldiers come to her sleepy Cuban town, everything begins to change. Freedoms are stripped away. Neighbors disappear. And soon, Lucía's parents make the heart-wrenching decision to send her and her little brother to the United States—on their own.

Suddenly plunked down in Nebraska with well-meaning strangers, Lucía struggles to adapt to a new country, a new language, a new way of life. But what of her old life? Will she ever see her home or her parents again? And if she does, will she still be the same girl?

The Red Umbrella is a touching story of country, culture, family, and the true meaning of home.

“Captures the fervor, uncertainty and fear of the times. . . . Compelling.”The Washington Post
 
“Gonzalez deals effectively with separation, culture shock, homesickness, uncertainty and identity as she captures what is also a grand adventure.” –San Francisco Chronicle

CHRISTINA DIAZ GONZALEZ is the award-winning author of several books including The Red Umbrella, A Thunderous Whisper, Moving Target, Return Fire, and Stormspeaker. Her books have received numerous honors including the American Library Association's Best Fiction for Young Adults, the Florida Book Award, the Nebraska Book Award and the International Latino Book Award. Christina currently lives in Miami, Florida with her husband, sons, and a dog that can open doors. View titles by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

Classroom Activities for The Red Umbrella

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

  • WINNER
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • WINNER | 2011
    ALA Best Books for Young Adults
  • NOMINEE
    IRA Teachers' Choices
  • NOMINEE
    Nebraska Golden Sower Award
  • NOMINEE
    New York State Charlotte Award
  • FINALIST
    Bank Street Child Study Children's Book Award
An ALA-YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Book
A Top Ten Indie Next List Pick
An ABA New Voices Selection
The  Florida Book Award Gold Medal Winner for Young Adult Literature
A Latina Magazine Book of the Year
A Christian Science Monitor Book of the Year
A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year
A CCBC Choices Book
 
A remarkable debut novel.” –San Francisco Book Review
 
“The memorable heroine and supporting cast offer a moving portrait of resilience and reinvention.” –Publishers Weekly
 
“Through Lucia’s captivating voice, readers travel in time. . . . Gonzalez enters the literary scene with this exceptional historical novel that portrays the beginning of the Cuban exodus.” –Kirkus Reviews
 
“Based on the author’s parent’s story, Gonzalez’s first novel captures the heart-wrenching, personal drama of family separation.” –Booklist
 
“Through the eyes of (the) likeable young narrator, readers will understand a compelling part of history. Kudos to Christina Diaz Gonzalez for sharing her family’s story, and for telling it so well.” –The Christian Science Monitor
 

About

The Red Umbrella is a moving tale of a 14-year-old girl's journey from Cuba to America as part of Operation Pedro Pan—an organized exodus of more than 14,000 unaccompanied children, whose parents sent them away to escape Fidel Castro's revolution.

In 1961, two years after the Communist revolution, Lucía Álvarez still leads a carefree life, dreaming of parties and her first crush. But when the soldiers come to her sleepy Cuban town, everything begins to change. Freedoms are stripped away. Neighbors disappear. And soon, Lucía's parents make the heart-wrenching decision to send her and her little brother to the United States—on their own.

Suddenly plunked down in Nebraska with well-meaning strangers, Lucía struggles to adapt to a new country, a new language, a new way of life. But what of her old life? Will she ever see her home or her parents again? And if she does, will she still be the same girl?

The Red Umbrella is a touching story of country, culture, family, and the true meaning of home.

“Captures the fervor, uncertainty and fear of the times. . . . Compelling.”The Washington Post
 
“Gonzalez deals effectively with separation, culture shock, homesickness, uncertainty and identity as she captures what is also a grand adventure.” –San Francisco Chronicle

Author

CHRISTINA DIAZ GONZALEZ is the award-winning author of several books including The Red Umbrella, A Thunderous Whisper, Moving Target, Return Fire, and Stormspeaker. Her books have received numerous honors including the American Library Association's Best Fiction for Young Adults, the Florida Book Award, the Nebraska Book Award and the International Latino Book Award. Christina currently lives in Miami, Florida with her husband, sons, and a dog that can open doors. View titles by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

Guides

Classroom Activities for The Red Umbrella

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Awards

  • WINNER
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • WINNER | 2011
    ALA Best Books for Young Adults
  • NOMINEE
    IRA Teachers' Choices
  • NOMINEE
    Nebraska Golden Sower Award
  • NOMINEE
    New York State Charlotte Award
  • FINALIST
    Bank Street Child Study Children's Book Award

Praise

An ALA-YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Book
A Top Ten Indie Next List Pick
An ABA New Voices Selection
The  Florida Book Award Gold Medal Winner for Young Adult Literature
A Latina Magazine Book of the Year
A Christian Science Monitor Book of the Year
A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year
A CCBC Choices Book
 
A remarkable debut novel.” –San Francisco Book Review
 
“The memorable heroine and supporting cast offer a moving portrait of resilience and reinvention.” –Publishers Weekly
 
“Through Lucia’s captivating voice, readers travel in time. . . . Gonzalez enters the literary scene with this exceptional historical novel that portrays the beginning of the Cuban exodus.” –Kirkus Reviews
 
“Based on the author’s parent’s story, Gonzalez’s first novel captures the heart-wrenching, personal drama of family separation.” –Booklist
 
“Through the eyes of (the) likeable young narrator, readers will understand a compelling part of history. Kudos to Christina Diaz Gonzalez for sharing her family’s story, and for telling it so well.” –The Christian Science Monitor
 

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