The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle

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Bibliography
Engle, Margarita. The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom.  New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 2008. ISBN: 10-0-8050-8674-9

Plot Summary
This story takes place in Cuba following the life of a slave girl by the name of Rosa. She unlike other slaves is unique and has learned to nurse others back to health using natural remedies. The story follows Rosa’s life throughout Cuba’s three wars fighting for independence. Rosa is given her freedom during the first war and devotes her life to helping the rebel group through her nursing skills. This causes the Spaniards to put a price tag on Rosa’s head. Lieutenant Death searches most of his life for Rosa and comes close to capturing her, but never does. Rosa marries a man by the name of Jose and they both help cure the injured rebels.  Rosa’s reputation spreads through out Cuba for many years to come. She comes to believe that the United States would be Cuba’s salvation. Yet, even after the three wars Cuba was not able to acquire its freedom.

Critical Analysis
The award-winning book does not disappoint. It follows the struggles of Rosa, a free nurse slave, before and after the Spanish American war. She uses herbal remedies to heal the rebel group. She is kind and does not turn away anyone that might need help even those trying to cause her harm to her. The story follows Rosa’s journey from adolescence to adulthood showing how the war shaped her life. This book is based on true events and exposes some of the hardships Cubans had to endure during this ongoing war. Engle’s Cuban heritage is evident in the writing for she gives the reader a view into what it was really like in that era. She as well integrates phrases in other languages and every once in a while metaphors. The book is written in verse and told from the viewpoints of its main characters, Rosa, her husband Jose, Lieutenant Death, and an orphaned girl Silvia. The poems are strong and powerful even if they do not rhyme they tell tales of the hardships and emotions of people living during this difficult time.

Review Excerpts
Review in GOODREADS: “Acclaimed poet Margarita Engle has created another breathtaking portrait of Cuba.”
Review in KIRKUS: "Stretching from 1850 to 1899, these poems convey the fierce desire of the Cuban people to be free. Young readers will come away inspired by these portraits of courageous ordinary people.” 
Starred Review in BOOKLIST: “Engle writes her new book in clear, short lines of stirring free verse. Caught by the compelling narrative voices, many readers will want to find out more.”

Connections
—  This book can be integrated into a reading or history class. The book accounts for many important historical events. While in a reading class students could analysis the characters and it’s a great source of poetry. Other books with similar to this:
—  Engle, Margarita. The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano. ISBN0312659288
—  Engle, Margarita.The Firefly Letters: A Suffragette’s Journey to Cuba. ISBN 0805090827

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