The Firefly Letters

 Bibliography: Engle, M. (2010). The Firefly Letters: A Suffragette's Journey to Cuba. Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 9780805090826

Plot Summary: Based on the diaries of Fredrika Bremer, the first Swedish female writer, this novel in verse tells of her visit to Cuba. She shares her journey with two young girls, one a slave, the other, a Cuban from a wealthy family, neither who enjoy the freedom of a woman from Europe. The story is told in first-person narrative that alternates between the three women.

Critical Analysis: The story is told as a novel in verse from the perspective of three very different women. It is the author's interpretation of Fredrika Bremer's actual diaries, written during her visit to Cuba. Engle does an excellent job of contrasting  what she refers to as "Eden" with the sadness of slavery and the lack of women's freedom. Fireflies are used throughout as a symbol for the freedom Elena (the Cuban girl) and Cecilia (the slave girl) lack. She also has a knack for language and imagery.  Her word choice is definitely intentional. It allows the reader to become enveloped in the story and to easily visualize the characters and environment.  She uses symbolic phrases such as " in this garden where freedom does not grow" (70) and "Freedom is a wall. I cannot climb it" (130). The language is also very descriptive, such as when she talks about "...trees that are slowly being choked..." (79) and when she describes the ants at the party carrying away petals as resembling "colorful umbrellas". (102) It is a beautifully written story, and writing the story in verse was significant as it supported the flow of the story of the three women.

Reviews:

Kirkus Reviews: "Another fine volume by a master of the novel in verse."

Horn Book: "The imagistic, multiple first-person narrative works handily in revealing Bremer, an alert and intelligent woman in rebellion against her background of privilege.:

Awards:

ALSC Notable Children's Book, 2010

ALA Notable Children's Book, 2010

Jane Addams Award, 2010 

Pura Belpre Author Honor, 2010

Capitol Choices Noteworthy Title for Children and Teens, 2010

Bank Sheet Best Children's Book of the Year, 2010

Connections:

Use in middle or high school classrooms in a cross-curricular lesson in History and English.  In English, read together, discuss, and choose a verse to create a visual that includes student's written interpretation of the vers. Then in history discuss the historical aspects of slavery and women's rights and include a written analysis of how historically accurate those elements of the books are. 

In a middle school or high school English, can be used in a lesson to teach figurative language and symbolism.  Make a list of types of figurative language and symbolism, and have students find an example of each in the poetry.





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