Julia Alvarez's Before We Were Free is an outstanding work of storytelling.

The author populates her novel with a diverse cast of vividly described characters. Their voices and actions offer readers a detailed understanding of life in the Dominican Republic in 1960. What makes this book truly captivating is that it is based on real events, including the overthrow and death of dictator El Jefe Trujillo with the help of her own family members.

The story is told from the perspective of an 11-year-old girl on the verge of 12. She is a curious preteen, grappling with her identity, boys, and her likes and dislikes. In a country like the Dominican Republic, where the SIM and the dictator's iron-fisted control prevail, her innocent curiosity becomes a liability.

The book is divided into three parts. The first part introduces the extended family living in the compound. We meet Chucha, the wise grandmother, Mami, Papi, Uncle Tio, Lucinda, Mundin, and many other relatives and friends. Throughout the book, there are hints of the consequences of speaking out against El Jefe Trujillo.

The second part is a day-by-day diary account of the young girl's attempts to hide and survive during the country's turmoil. The unknown fate of Papi and Uncle Tio adds to the suspense. The use of the diary format effectively conveys the girl's hope and dread, as well as the daily surprises and banal experiences.

The conclusion is satisfying. The young girl has become an adolescent and has survived the assassination of El Jefe and the overthrow of his son. She is now living in New York, but the whereabouts of her father and uncle remain unknown. Alvarez provides an answer, and we see the family beginning to rebuild their lives in the United States.

Before We Were Free is a captivating story that intertwines the personal and the political. It would be a great addition to any 8th or 9th grade history curriculum, especially for students studying Caribbean and South American history. Other books that explore the Latino/a experience, such as The House on Mango Street, The Dreamer, and Return to Sender, would also interest young readers.

I selected this particular piece for my high school world literature co-op. To my pleasant surprise, it turned out to be an excellent read not only for the teenagers but also for me.

The writing style is youthful, which easily engages the students. However, the historical themes explored within are more suitable for high school level.

We had a remarkable discussion regarding the Trujillo dictatorship, the Dominican Republic, the Mirabal sisters, and the story itself. This discussion compelled us to delve deeper into our historical and geographical research.

It was truly an enriching experience as it not only enhanced our understanding of the literature but also broadened our knowledge of different historical events and geographical locations.

The students were actively involved in the discussion, sharing their thoughts and perspectives, which made the learning process even more dynamic and interesting.

Overall, this selection proved to be a great choice for our world literature co-op, and I look forward to more such engaging reads in the future.

A story of courage through a young girl’s eyes. Anita shares her harrowing tale of surviving a dictatorship during Trujillo’s rule in the Dominican Republic in the 1960s. Her family was deeply committed to the revolution for freedom and actively participated in the assassination of Trujillo. This heroic act, however, placed the family in extreme peril, and they had to evacuate to New York without delay. Sadly, loved ones were lost, including Anita’s dad and uncle. The journey was filled with trauma and will undoubtedly continue to cause emotional turmoil for Anita and her family, even after finding refuge in the US.

As a Dominican, I have a profound appreciation for hearing a historical perspective from this dark and troubled era. It gives me a better understanding of the sacrifices and hardships that my ancestors endured. Anita’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of freedom and the lengths that people are willing to go to achieve it. It also highlights the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Through her words, we can catch a glimpse of the past and be inspired by the courage of those who fought for a better future.

This novel truly reminded me a great deal of Diary of Anne Frank.

If we change the setting, we have Anita, a 12-year-old girl who resides in the Dominican Republic, a place that is dictated by El Jefe.

It was somewhat disturbing that the family planned his demise, which outright strikes anyone as immoral. However, as the story unfolds, we see the reasons behind it, and we are drawn in, hoping that they can kill the dictator and get out of town.

This is a novel that makes us think about what is right and wrong and whether circumstance affects morality.

I also liked how the author allowed Anita to be clueless about her surroundings, at least at the beginning. This helps make her real to young readers, and hopefully, as she begins to understand that El Jefe is not all she thought he was, the reader will learn with her.

Overall, it is an enjoyable novel and a great discussion starter.

Slow-going for a time, but also a fairly short read.

From the perspective of a young female protagonist, Alvarez presents a fictionalized portrayal of life in the Dominican Republic before and after Trujillo's assassination.

She weaves in memories from her own adolescence when she escaped the regime, accounts from relatives, and historical research.

I have always relished Alvarez as a writer and historical fiction seen through the eyes of children.

She makes a valid point in her end notes that while we often focus on the martyrs or freedom fighters in revolutions, there are numerous invisible victims as well, including children.

This book is worthy of recommendation. It would also be a great addition to a classroom library or potentially incorporated into the curriculum.

It offers a unique and engaging perspective on a significant historical period, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of Trujillo's regime on the lives of ordinary people, especially the younger generation.

The combination of personal experiences and historical facts makes it a compelling read that can spark discussions and further exploration of this important topic.

One of my goals for 2020 was to increase the number of books I read in Spanish, whether they were originals or translations.

So, I was extremely excited to join @latinxreadtoo's new Spanish language book club this month and pick up my very first Julia Alvarez book. It's an MG (middle grade) novel set in the Dominican Republic during the last years of the Trujillo dictatorship.

Note (for my English speaking friends): Julia Alvarez writes in English, and all her books are then translated into Spanish. So, if this post makes you want to read the book, be sure to check out the English original (Before We Were Free)!

In Spanish, I typically lean more towards reading adult books. Therefore, it was a refreshing change to read an MG, especially since historical fiction isn't a genre I usually choose for myself. This book reminded me a great deal of The Fruit of the Drunken Tree. It was a politically charged Latinx read, told from the perspective of a young girl who didn't always understand as much as the reader did.

So, if that's the kind of point of view you enjoy, this one is similar, although obviously simpler in terms of vocabulary and maturity, since it's aimed at children rather than adults.

All in all, I truly enjoyed the story and will definitely be exploring more books by this author. I can't wait to see what the club selects for next month!

I did not enjoy the novel Before We Were Free at all.

Perhaps it was the genre, as I must admit I have a strong bias against historical fiction. Anita has never questioned her family's freedom while living in the Dominican Republic in the 1960s.

However, relatives keep emigrating to the United States, and the government's secret police terrorize her remaining family due to their suspected opposition to the dictator.

This is a very classic tale of an adolescent girl attempting to understand adult circumstances.

Although it is written with sparing and beautiful prose, there is just something in me that can't seem to like it.

Perhaps if this type of book is more to your taste, you would enjoy it more than I did.

It might be that my personal preferences for other genres prevent me from fully appreciating the charm and significance of this historical fiction novel.

Nonetheless, it is important to recognize that different people have different literary tastes, and what doesn't appeal to me might be a favorite for someone else.

Maybe with a more open mind and a willingness to explore different genres, I could come to a better understanding and appreciation of books like Before We Were Free.

This story begins in a sweet and wonderful manner, yet it has darker undertones lurking beneath the surface.

As the narrative progresses, those initially hidden undertones gradually emerge as the main themes. By the end, my heart was truly breaking. It wasn't just for Anita and her family, but for all the people around the world who have endured events similar to those depicted in "Before We Were Free" - many of which are based on real happenings.

This book is truly remarkable and deserves every single award that it has received. It should most definitely be on the TBR (To Be Read) list of every individual who has not yet had the opportunity to read it. It offers a powerful and poignant exploration of a difficult and important topic, and it has the ability to touch the hearts and minds of readers everywhere.

Julia Alvarez, a Dominican-American poet and author, was born in 1950 in New York. She grew up in the Dominican Republic but at the age of 10, her family fled to the US after her father's involvement in the attempted assassination of the dictator Rafael Trujillo.

Struggling to transition into America, she found an outlet in writing and fell in love with it. She graduated from Middlebury College in 1971 and got a master's degree from Syracuse University in 1975.

Alvarez has written several books about the Dominican Republic during Trujillo's rule, based on fictional families like the 'Garcias' and the 'De La Torres', which are allegories to her own family. One of her prominent books is 'Before We Were Free', a young adult historical fiction novel.

This book is similar to 'The Diary of Anne Frank' but has its own unique aspects. Told in first person from the perspective of a non-native English speaker, it uses Spanish words and phrases, adding depth and intensity to the story. It is also layered, with fiction based on history and poetic license used while remaining true to real events.

The book does well in creating a sense of tension, with El Jefe's presence felt throughout. However, there are areas for improvement. Some climatic events are lackluster and unbalanced, and the transition between complex and blunt parts can be jarring.

Overall, 'Before We Were Free' is an interesting read that deals with the impact of a dictator on a country. It has multi-faceted characters, intense events, and is told in a unique way. Although it has its flaws, it is highly recommended for young adults and can broaden their worldviews.

An excellent perspective on the events of 1960 - 61 in the Dominican Republic is crucial for understanding the complex history of that nation during that time period.

These events were marked by political unrest, social change, and a struggle for power.

The Dominican Republic was going through a period of transformation, and the events of 1960 - 61 played a significant role in shaping its future.

From the perspective of those who lived through it, these events were a time of great uncertainty and upheaval.

However, looking back with hindsight, we can see the long-term impact that these events had on the Dominican Republic.

By examining this perspective, we can gain a deeper understanding of the country's history and the forces that have shaped it.

This knowledge can help us to better appreciate the challenges and opportunities that the Dominican Republic faces today.

This novel by Julia Alverez is not overly difficult to read, yet it holds a great deal of significance. As has been repeatedly mentioned in class, this book has multiple layers. From the very beginning, this story captured my interest. In many cases, America has brushed aside this time period in the D.R. under the rug, and it was fascinating to learn about the darker aspects of our past. With a bit of background research, we discovered that America had installed El Jefe in power and was once again interfering in the D.R. government. This intrigued me as it demonstrated America overstepping its bounds.

Anita is the main character in this book. Seeing the story through her eyes enables the reader to learn about the story at a suitable pace. Anita is depicted as growing as a person and is even entrusted with some responsibility for knowledge towards the end of the book. This helps the reader to relate because we have been learning along with her throughout. The feeling of being trapped makes Anita stronger and more resilient. "We're not free, we're trapped." (Pg.48) This quote shows how Anita opens up to the reader and helps us understand her pain.

I liked this book because it offered a different perspective. I believe anyone can relate to this book in that we all grow and our opinions change on the same subject. Something truly special about this book is the point of view of a young Dominican girl. This helps to shape the mood of how the D.R. was feeling during this time. By telling the story from Anita's point of view, I feel that we are sometimes spared details. I think this gives the reader the opportunity to fill in the blanks. I truly enjoyed this book and I think it is a great fit for most young adults.

Simple and yet powerful testament to freedom, and what it means living without.

The story is set in the Dominican Republic during Trujillo's dictatorship. However, it could just as easily be any other country where liberty is lacking.

I have perused several books on the same subject, and this one stood out for me as it narrates the tale through the eyes of a young girl named Anita.

Despite being only 11 years old, Anita is confronted with the harsh reality and horror of a dictatorship, something that no child should ever have to endure.

Julia Alvarez is one of my favorite authors, and I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Sadly, it portrays a reality that still holds true today.

It serves as a reminder of the importance of freedom and the need to fight for it, no matter where we are in the world.

The vivid descriptions and engaging narrative make it a captivating read that will leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the impact of dictatorship and the value of freedom.