The Lightning Dreamer

Bibliography: Engle, M. (2013). The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba’s Greatest Abolitionist. Harcourt, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 978-0-547-80743-0

Plot Summary:  Tula is a young girl in Cuba whose mother has arranged for her to marry a wealthy older man. But Tula craves knowledge and freedom.  Not just for herself, but also for the enslaved on the island. She loves words, especially writing, where she feels she can express herself.  When she refuses to marry for anything other than love, her mother banishes her to her. Eventually she falls in love with a man who doesn't love her back. She leaves for Spain where she finally finds some of her freedom. 

Critical Analysis: This work of historical fiction is told in verse from multiple perspectives. Engle's use of poetry allows readers to see into Tula's thoughts and emotions, providing a clear picture of her life experiences. Throughout Tula's story, Engle paints a picture of Cuba's natural beauty and its vibrant mixed culture, placing the story in its appropriate context. Tula's struggle with her identity and the discrimination she faces because of her race and gender are important themes and serve to highlight Tula's oppression. Despite the challenges she faces, Tula's journey towards self-acceptance shows how strong communities, despite oppression, can be resilient. The novel also emphasizes the importance of writing in challenging these systems and preserving one's own cultural heritage. Through Tula's story, Engle encourages readers to embrace their own voices and stand up against injustice.

Reviews:

Kirkus Reviews: "Fiery and engaging, a powerful portrait of the liberating power of art."


Goodreads: "The Lightning Dreamer is a powerful and mesmerizing story. The verse flows smoothly and is never jarring. "


Awards:

Pura Belpre Award, 2014

Amelia Bloomer Booklist, 2014

Connections:

Use in a middle school or high school English class. Discuss authors' use of tone and mood. Have students identify various themes and use of figurative language as they read.  Follow up with students writing their own story as historical fiction in verse. 

In a middle or high school English class, have students create a Venn diagram comparing their own lives to Tula's. Challenge them to find similarities and differences, then write a reflective paragraph on the comparison. 

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