The Firefly Letters: A Suffragettes Journey to Cuba by Margarita Engle

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Bibliography
Engle, M. (2017).The firefly letters: a suffragettes journey to cuba. Turtleback Books. ISBN 0805090827

Plot Summary
Fredrika Bremer is a traveler from Sweden writing about the discoveries she encounters on foreign lands. She spends some time in Cuba were she meets an African slave girl named Cecilia and Elena a rich heiress. Fredrika quickly learns that Cuba might look like paradise, but women are oppressed and slavery is prominent in the region. Fedrika unlike many women in the 1850s is very liberal and outspoken. She left her wealthy family in order to travel, learn, and experience the world.
She sketches and writes about her experiences with Cecilia helping her translate during her time in Cuba. Fedrika becomes found of Cecilia and cannot imagine leaving Cuba knowing that Cecilia and her unborn child will live in slavery the rest of their lives. The two go through many adventures together while Elena watches from afar wishing she could join them. Elena is influenced by Fredrika and wants to do a kind gesture for Cecilia since they have grown closer. Elena sells all her embroidery in order to get enough money to buy Cecilia’s unborn baby’s freedom. Fredrika eventually returns home, but with hope that there is a brighter future for both of the girls in Cuba.

Critical Analysis
Margarita Engle does a wonderful job in writing this story in three main different perspectives. The story is written in verse and goes over the experiences of three women during the 1850s in Cuba. The three ladies within the book all have their own views and as the story progresses one can see how they influence one another for the better. Fredrika is a liberal woman that believes that everyone should be treated as equals. Cecilia on the other hand, is an African slave girl that has never known freedom. Elena is wealthy and privileged with many rules that she most follow imposed by society. 
The book goes back and forth between the girls depicting how they feel about certain situations. The story exposes their dreams and aspirations for the future. There are a few pages in which the story is told in Beni’s viewpoint. I enjoyed reading the narrative from different perspectives for it gives the reader the opportunity to journey through the many emotions of the characters. The cover of the book is interesting and sparks curiosity. One does not understand the picture until the story unravels on how these fireflies represented the ability to be free and express oneself. This is for in the afternoon Fredrika and Cecilia would go around setting these fireflies free by paying pennies to the children. The book is written in verse, but it is very easy to comprehend. The events that occur transition very well amongst the narratives from the characters.

Review Excerpt(s)
A Pura Belpré Honor Book 
An American Library Association Notable Children's Book 
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
Review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "The easily digestible, poetic narrative makes this a perfect choice for reluctant readers, students of the women’s movement, those interested in Cuba, and teens with biography assignments."
Review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “This slim, elegant volume opens the door to discussions of slavery, women's rights, and the economic disparity between rich and poor.”

Connections
The story is written in verse and is a great read for students that are interested in poetry.  This story as well could be used for history purposes. Great book touches the issue of gender equality and feminism. Other books with similar message:
Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid's Tale. ISBN 038549081X
Alcott, Louisa May.  Little Women. ISBN 0451529308

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