Antes de ser libres by julia alvarez

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

This book unfolds an enthralling narrative of a young girl's growth in the Dominican Republic during the 1960s.

I was completely captivated by this book and could hardly tear myself away from it.

Her story is so richly detailed and complex that you are仿佛right there with her, experiencing the confusion and hostility firsthand.

As an adolescent, she is largely in the dark about what is happening around her. No one bothers to inform her of anything, and she is strictly told not to ask questions.

Since the book is presented from her perspective, the readers share the same intense longing for information and explanations.

Julia Alvarez has crafted a suspenseful masterpiece that transports you to the Dominican Republic and makes you feel like a part of her family.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in reading a memoir or a historical novel.

It is not only attention-grabbing but also provides valuable insights into the history of their country during a tumultuous period in history.

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Simplicity1511

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

I highly recommend the book “Before We Were Free” to all book lovers. This captivating novel not only keeps the pages turning at a rapid pace but also creates a palpable sense of tension that leaves you on the edge of your seat, eagerly anticipating what will happen on the next page. Although I have not yet completed the book, I am confident in guaranteeing that it will provide a satisfying reading experience.

I can identify with the protagonist's feelings of fear and the desire to be brave, yet not knowing exactly what to do. The plot is filled with suspense and intrigue, making it impossible to put the book down. Additionally, the theme is developed with great finesse, adding depth and meaning to the story.

Personally, while I may not have learned anything new aside from the historical events that took place in the 1960s, the book has still managed to make an impact on me. There are several memorable quotes, such as the one by Oscar: “You can’t be brave if you’re not scared.” This simple yet profound statement has stuck with me and serves as a reminder that true bravery often stems from facing our fears.

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DiamondDimoDaddy

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

Amazing!

I am truly overjoyed that I discovered this book at the library. It makes me wish that the school I attended during my formative years had included something like this on the required reading list.

Yes, Alvarez crafted this as a novel, yet it indeed contains elements of the Dominican Republic's political history. Anita's extended family also grapples with the decision of emigrating from the Dominican Republic.

Anita's diary holds a significant role in the plot. She, like many in her family, uses both English and Spanish. Alvarez gives Anita the opportunity to mature, to be brave, and to be strong, all while still being afraid for her family amidst the political upheaval in her homeland. And all this while she is a preteen who simply desires to grow up.

This is an outstanding book - I would highly recommend it. Especially for teachers to share with their students. It covers a wide range of topics such as social justice, immigration issues, history, and the Spanish language, all within the pages of a relatively small book!

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bricolo101

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

Anita de la Torre resides with her extended family in the Dominican Republic.

During the愈发残酷的特鲁希略独裁统治时期, life there becomes increasingly difficult.

Most of her family members have managed to escape to the United States, seeking a better and safer life.

However, Anita and her immediate family choose to stay. They claim to be "taking care of the store", but Anita later discovers that this actually means they are involved in working with the underground resistance.

Anita finds herself in a dangerous and complex situation, as she has to balance the need to support the resistance and keep her family safe.

The dictatorship casts a dark shadow over their lives, but Anita and her family are determined to fight for freedom and justice.

Despite the many challenges and risks they face, they remain hopeful that one day, their efforts will pay off and the Dominican Republic will be a better place.

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Arziy

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

I truly relished reading this book, for it imparts a highly significant lesson to each and every one of us.

The principal antagonist is a dictator, namely El Jefe, who endeavors to seize control of the Dominican Republic.

Throughout the entire book, the protagonist, Anita, endures a life that is completely beyond her control.

She has to abide by the rules set by a single person.

The journey is both captivating, filled with numerous dark moments, yet also interspersed with lighter ones.

However, it becomes abundantly clear that in the story, there is no freedom in the DR as there is in the US.

Personally, this was truly an eye-opening experience.

We often take freedom for granted.

But in reality, there are individuals today who lead restricted lives, under the sway of one who misuses their power.

It makes us realize how precious and fragile freedom truly is and how fortunate we are to have it in our own lives.

We should never take it for granted and should always strive to protect and preserve it for ourselves and for others.

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Joshhhp

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

As a child, do you recall being filled with such excitement for your birthday to come that it was the sole thing占据 your mind? Anita, who is turning 12 years old, has this same intense anticipation during an extraordinary time of civil war and unrest in her country, the Dominican Republic.

Our protagonist, Anita, witnesses the events escalating as the story progresses. She realizes that the safety of her family holds the utmost importance. Anita's father and uncle are part of a group that manages to assassinate the dictator of the Dominican Republic successfully. However, just when they believe the trouble and turmoil have subsided, the dictator's son seizes power and takes revenge on Anita's father and uncle.

Anita and her mother ultimately flee to New York City. There, Anita discovers that freedom stems from within rather than being confined by the limitations that others may impose.

"Before We Were Free" is an excellent novel for middle school children who have an appreciation for history and can gain a perspective of a child their own age. These children can attempt to envision Anita's situation and perhaps find a way to relate it to themselves. It is a valuable resource for teachers as it enables them to discuss different viewpoints and the concept of freedom, while also delving into a historical period in another part of the world that is often overlooked. A possible unit could involve exploring how people strive to achieve freedom from a child's perspective. Many children may be able to identify with the sense of freedom that Anita yearns for.

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Takai

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

In Julia Alvarez’s first young adult novel, Before we were Free, we are introduced to 12-year-old Anita de la Torre. Just like many young children, she is filled with curiosity and is extremely talkative. Having led a life that has been protectively comfortable up until now, Anita is charmingly innocent and naïve. Her life appears to be rather ordinary. She pesters her older sister and has a crush on her new American neighbor, Sam. However, all of this is about to change rapidly.

The story is set in the Dominican Republic during the months preceding the assassination of the infamous dictator Trujillo. As the events of the story unfold, Anita’s life is altered forever. Anita comes to the realization that “El Jefe” is not the hero she had believed him to be, but rather a dictator who poses a threat to her family and friends, causing many Dominicans to disappear and be tortured. She is compelled to grapple with the concepts of right and wrong as family members flee the country and others are forced into hiding. Her life is literally invaded by El Jefe’s Secret Police, the SIM.

Anita’s diary, once a place where she could freely pour out her heart, now becomes a source of danger. She is forced to erase everything she has written so that it won't reveal anything if discovered by the SIM. This is where we encounter one of the most powerful aspects of the novel. As Anita attempts to cope with the fact that her world is crumbling around her, she loses her ability to express herself. She falls into a silence that she seems unable to break. She finds that she can no longer remember words and can't speak. The curious young girl who was nicknamed cotorrita (literally a chatterbox or parrot) is silenced by the events happening around her. When forced into hiding with her mother, Anita returns to her diary and begins writing again, so that if they don't survive, their story will be left behind. As Anita starts writing once more and sharing their story, her voice gradually returns.

Anita survives and eventually makes her way to the United States to join other family members in New York City. The overthrow of the Trujillo regime has come at a high cost for her. She is no longer the innocent child we met at the beginning of the story but has instead become a survivor – an example of how we must fight to regain our voices and persevere to piece our lives back together.

Although Anita’s life is very different from that of the average child in the United States, students will have no difficulty identifying with the engaging character that Alvarez presents to us. Her beautiful imagery, literary style, and historical content make this book well worth reading in our classrooms.

Check out our free Educator’s Guide for the book at http://teachinglatinamericathroughlit...

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Aileenam

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

These days, my reading has been rather limited. I haven't delved into a plethora of books, except for one particular title - The Shining, about which I have already written. The only other book that has managed to capture my attention is the school book, Before We Were Free.

Surprisingly, even though it is a school assignment, I have found this book to be truly captivating. It boasts a great storyline that is filled with numerous hints and symbols. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone with a desire to learn more about the Dominican Republic during the time when they were under the oppressive rule of the dictator El Jefe. It is also perfect for those, like me, who struggle to find an interesting book to read and are seeking something that will instantly grab their attention.

The story revolves around a girl and her family as they strive to break free from the clutches of El Jefe and pursue a better life. The book has such a compelling narrative that it has made me eager to read far beyond the assigned chapter. What I particularly enjoyed was the fact that the story is presented in the present tense and from the point of view of the main character. This allowed me to step into her shoes and vividly imagine myself in her situation.

Moreover, the book is rich in symbols, which I believe will be greatly appreciated by those who like to draw comparisons between the book and real life or other aspects. Frequently, there are important objects that symbolize the life of the main character, Anita. For instance, her diary reveals a great deal about the need for privacy and the act of erasing things to avoid detection. Overall, I firmly believe that this is an excellent book with a thought-provoking array of symbols that encourage readers to make connections with life and an engaging plot that will appeal to those who don't typically find reading enjoyable or fun. I would highly recommend it to anyone in search of a good read.

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Antes de ser libres

julia alvarez liliana valenzuela

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julia alvarez

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