Thank you to #NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for allowing me to read a digital ARC of Cuba in My Pocket by Adrianna Cuevas. This middle grade historical fiction novel will be published on September 21, 2021. All opinions are my own.

After Castro's power is solidified following the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of 1961, twelve-year-old Cumba's life is turned upside down. He is no longer safe in Cuba. Staying would mean having to report to the local garrison to train as a soldier. His family makes the difficult decision to send him, alone, to the United States. Once in the U.S., Cumba struggles to navigate a new city and new freedom that is all his own. He's lost in a sea of English speakers and misses his family His only connections to Cuba are an unlucky domino he keeps in his pocket and the letters he receives from his little brother, Pepito. He wonders if he will ever see his family again or if they will remain just out reach, ninety miles across the ocean.

This is a beautifully written story of identity, family, home, and hope. Cuevas does an amazing job of conveying Cumba's feelings of loss and confusion. There is a huge focus on the importance of family and how family is not only the people you're related to by blood, but the people you choose to love and support. I found the book to be super engaging and loved the narrative voice. It gives insight into the refugee and immigrant experience as well as the period of Castro's reign in Cuba which many middle grade readers may not be familiar with. The story is based on the experiences of the author's father which makes this story even more inspiring and heart-wrenching. Cumba is an inspiration and a character readers will be able to relate to and root for. I can't wait to add this book to my classroom library.

When Fidel comes to power and starts requiring boys as young as twelve to enlist in the military, Cumba's parents make the gut-wrenching decision to send him alone to Miami to live with a distant relative. After falsifying government documents and barely escaping a neighborhood soldier who has singled out Cumba and his family, the young Cuban makes it to Florida where he begins a new life, attending junior high, learning English over hamburgers and french fries at a local diner, and trying desperately to move past the fear and anxiety he has been living with since Fidel started making a name for himself. This is a beautifully written, compelling story about identity, family, home, and hope.

Has a thematic approach, where the reader feels like they are actually in that timeframe of Castro's reign over Cuba, and the Bay of Pigs invasion. You really feel for the family, and what they are going through.

Set in the 1960's after the Bay of Pigs Invasion, twelve-year-old, Cumba flees Cuba in search of safety in the U.S. When he arrives in Miami, he must navigate a life in a different home and without his family. This was an engaging read, giving insight into the life of a refugee and providing information about Cuba's history. Cumba is a character readers will root for. This is an inspiring story of courage and hope.

I enjoyed this story about a Bay of Pigs era boy immigrating to Miami and the struggles he, and those around him, endured. While this has haver happened to me, I feel this is a realistic depiction of the hardships all immigrants face.

Cuba in My Pocket is the story of Cumba Fernandez and his unwanted journey to escape Cuba and the harsh life under Fidel Castro. Alone in American and being the only Cuban in his school. You struggle along with Cumba as he tries to navigate his new life. I enjoyed the feeling of found family in this book as well as the heartbreak of missing family and the only home you know. And give me a book with Cuban food references in it all day long! I felt like the speckling of Spanish throughout the book was a little heavy handed and possibly confusing for a young reader but once I discovered the glossary in the back, I felt a little better about. I enjoyed this historical fiction novel and would recommend it to middle grade readers.

Cuevas chronicles the journey of Cumba Fernandez from Cuban tween to US refugee immediately following the Cuban Revolution. There is little political analysis, save what 12-year old Cumba notices in his immediate vicinity.

He knows, however, that bad things are happening as Fidel's army draws the restrictions on his village tighter and tighter. The family begins to discuss the need for Cumba to go to the United States to escape having to enlist in the army when he turns 13. Cumba's traditional upbringing means he accepts this decision without argument. When he finally gets to Miami and is placed in the home of a distant relative, he begins the experience of being taken from everything he has known and loved, and placed where he knows no one, doesn't read or speak the language and doesn't know the food. His loneliness, his concern for his family and trying to learn to fit in are almost overwhelming.

While the emotional issues may be more intense than those confronting most elementary students, they may recognize Cumba in their classmates or relatives, and may may feel similar intensity about different issues. This is an intense but engaging book.

Diving into CUBA IN MY POCKET was a rewarding experience as a reader and elementary teacher. It's important to open up the world to children so that they see "others" as part of the collective "we." In 1961, Cumba comes from a warm and loving family who must make the difficult decision to send him off to America lest he be caught up in Castro's frightening grasp. Readers can relate to Cumba and his family in ways that bridge cultural differences and celebrate our diversity.

Just look at that vibrant cover! That is the first thing that drew me to this story. Amazingly, Adrianna Cuevas made Cumba's story of fleeing Castro's Cuba just as vibrant. The reader understands his terror of both leaving his family behind or staying and being conscripted into the Army at only 12 years old. Follow Cumba on his journey to America which is just as frightening and uncertain. This is an amazing story for anyone who has had to leave their country and just as amazing for anyone who hasn't so they can understand what it is like.

CUBA IN MY POCKET is a historical fiction story about a young boy’s journey from Cuba to the United States to escape conscription into service for Fidel Castro. He travels alone to Miami to live with a distant relative and other youth who also left Cuba, hoping for better circumstances. He worries about the family he left behind while also struggling to learn English, navigate the school system, and help his friends connect with lost family members.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and became invested in the story. The idea of a young person leaving their family to travel to a new country where they didn’t speak the language and assimilate without any assistance was mindboggling, especially when I knew the author’s family inspired the story. I really liked we started the story in Cuba and got a good glimpse into Cumba’s life and the family’s decision to send him to the US. I was glad he ended up in favourable living arrangements, but my heart still went out to him and all the things he needed to learn on his own. I loved the connections he made with other youth facing similar circumstances and how they supported each other. I felt like I learned so much and developed a better understanding of history presented to me in a very one-sided way.

This story reminded me of Barefoot of Petra Luna by Alda P. Dobbs, another story coming later this year, which also addresses escaping to the United States from a country filled with violence. I think these are timely stories as there is conflicting information about immigration in the news. Young readers need to understand the type of circumstances from which individuals are escaping to develop empathy, and I would recommend this book as a class read aloud to discuss for Gr. 5-7.

Many students today who are immigrants or refugees may find they relate to the main character, so representation in this book makes it perfect for a classroom booklist.

I just love Adrianna Cuevas and knew I needed to read this book during the summer when I could give myself time to love it and escape. Her debut The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez is one of my favorite books I’ve read and I am always talking about it.

Cuba in My Pocket did not let down. It was emotional and made my heart ache to know that this story is based on Cuevas’ father’s life. The story is set during the 1960's when the Bay of Pigs invasion failed and Castro took over Cuba. Since this event it has created turmoil and Cumba's family decides it is best for him to flee and head to the States. Though nearly not making it in time, Cumba ends up in Florida by himself with none of his family back home. His heart aches and he is quite home sick. Living in a new country, especially the US, is not as easy as one would think. Cumba struggles with communicating because of his lack of English, he as to live with a group of other immigrated kids, attends a new school, and has complete freedom, but lacks the comfort of his home and family. All he wants is to be able to see his family again. The raw emotion and perspective of this story was so moving. It was hard to see how this isn't truly "fiction" that this is reality (sadly). Even though Cumba is out on his own I loved how the author gave Cumba such great connections with others in the US. It was heartwarming to see some of the relationships he made flourish and how they made a lasting impact. The ending was quite emotional and made me have a loss of words.

Readers MUST read the author's note to get a true understanding of how this story came to fruition. I will read anything by Cuevas! I highly recommend this story for all middle grade libraries and would be a great read aloud in the classroom, too.

Reading the poignant story of a young boy who has to leave Cuba in the 1960's and come alone to the US was informative and interesting. I enjoyed the historical aspects and information about Cuban culture. It was a fun read that I know students would enjoy as well.

Cuba in My Pocket, the middle grades historical fiction chapter book by award-winning author, Adrianna Cuevas, tells the story of 12 year old Cumba who, in 1961, is forced to flee Santa Clara for the U.S. in order to avoid being drafted into the military for Fidel Castro. Based on the author's family history, the book is full of intimate details that can only be from the perspective of someone who lived it. The story is one that should be shared with middle grade readers on up because it tells the important part of history, how governments impact people's lives, and the real accounts of people who risked it all in order to have a chance at a future for themselves and their families.

Cumba's relationships with his family and friends in Cuba are the most memorable parts of the story. They play dominoes, cook delicious meals, go looking for flowers and even discuss how their lives have changed after Fidel came to power. Readers can continue with learning about these parts of Cuban history and culture by looking at photos and videos of Cuba prior to the 1960s and afterwards. Cumba relies on the strength of these relationships to propel him towards the unknown in the U.S. and holds on to the promise of reuniting with them again.

Cumba's journey to the U.S. is another important part of the story that readers will never forget. From his flight to Miami with another young girl traveling alone who doesn't understand the language or even how to put on a seat belt, they rely on the kindness of other passengers to guide them through. Cumba's school experience in Miami is like being pulled into a rip tide because of the cacophony of noise, not being able to practice his English, and his teachers not making any attempts to help him. This is especially gripping to me as a teacher. Thankfully he does make an American friend who makes going to school more tolerable, but the PTSD that Cumba has as a result of living in a militaristic society, is keeping him from moving on.

The reader also learns about the role the Catholic Church had in taking in young children from Cuba and sending them to foster families across the U.S. Cumba and his house-mates use the Catholic Welfare Services to help them locate their family and friends who were supposed to be coming to the U.S. If readers want to continue learning about this part of history there are many resources that offer more glimpses into how the church supported Cuban immigrants.

When Cumba gets sent to a foster family in Key Largo his story does change for the better. School is a complete change as his teachers help him learn the content through visuals and study tips. He even reunites with a friend from Santa Clara and they bond over being the only Cubans in school. Even when he gets bad news from home and feels helpless he knows he can rely on his friend to understand exactly what he's feeling: helpless and guilty. Here they are enjoying life in Key Largo while their families are experiencing torture in Cuba. I think other immigrants can relate to this feeling, too. We are grateful for being able to be here in the U.S. but also have guilt that our family members are struggling in our home countries.

I applaud Cuevas for writing this story and honoring her family's history. The photos and glossary at the end of the book offer more details about the Spanish language and why she chose to write her father's story. As an adult, I learned a lot about Cuba's history and how refugees were treated during this time. It would be a good book for grades 4 and up.

I enjoyed this semi-autobiographical historical fiction recounting of Cumba’s solo journey from Cuba to the U.S. to avoid joining Castro’s youth military. The reader learns much about pre and post Castro Cuba and gets a good perspective of what it was like to be an immigrant in the 1960’s. The book is quiet at times, not necessarily slow, so it might resonate well with kids who have read books such a Gratz’s “Refugee “ and have some knowledge of Cuba’s history or the struggles of a refugee.

Excellently written, vivid story of a teen boy during the rise of Fidel Castro, as well as his immigrant experience in the United States. Cuevas captures the fear, anxiety, and the way that this trauma lingers in your bones, while creating a portrait of family and friendship love and survival. I also appreciated the insight into how overwhelming school can feel -- especially when people are being unhelpful or even flat out racist. This book will surely spark conversations among young people.

This semi-biographical story follows Cumba during the turbulent time when Castro came to power in Cuba, Cuevas takes readers inside Cuba sixty years ago, feeling the fear as neighbor turns on neighbor, the love that powers families through this, and the day to day reality of living in such a world. She paints a picture of life in Cuba, playing dominoes, hiking in the forest for flowers, playing pranks with friends, all while living in fear of Castro's minions. Then, the reader feels what is it like to come as an immigrant, and attend school in a language you don't understand, while missing and fearing for your family. The characters and setting are vividly described, yet they also fade into the background as the reader is carried along on Cumba's journey, holding onto his domino in his pocket as he tries to find hope. I couldn't put this down and know my students will love this book.

Written by a child of immigrants, this excellent middle grade book provides a glimpse into the immigrant experience. Cumba is a Cuban boy who comes to the United States in the wake of Castro's coming to power in Cuba. He experiences uncertainty, homesickness, sadness, hopelessness, and misunderstanding and also much kindness from strangers, some of whom become found family. The ending of the book is hopeful and satisfying, and many readers will readily enjoy the book. However, the book is very realistically paced and will not grab young people used to the pace of superhero books and movies.

What an incredible, poignant story of a boy leaving Cuba for US when things were very bad there. Vivid descriptions will paint authentic pictures in your mind and grab your heart tight. Interesting juxtaposition with the story of Letters to Cuba by Ruth Behar, about a girl and her father who escape to Cuba from Poland just before WWII. How could a place which served as a refuge now become a place of danger and torment? Which reminded me of the book Echo, by Pam Muñoz Ryan...

During the time in history of the Bay of Pigs invasion, 12-year-old Cumba ventures to Florida alone. He is faced with a whole new set of challenges in the United States, but thinks of his family back home to get him through it. This one is a must read!