Poetry_The Poet Slave of Cuba by Sean Qualls

1.BIBLIOGRAPHY
Engle, Margarita. 2006. THE POET SLAVE OF CUBA. Ill. by Sean Qualls. New York: Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 0805077065.

2. PLOT SUMMARY
The Poet Slave of Cuba is based on the life of Juan Francisco Manzano, a young boy born into slavery during eighteenth century Cuba. Juan’s innate disposition to recite poetry impresses “La Marqueza,” his affluent master, to the point of making him her puppet. The favoritism she has for Juan’s talent proves to be obsessive. Consequently, he endures the separation from his parents, extreme punishment from “La Marqueza,” and a longing for freedom.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The poetry within the pages of this book is unique in that it is written as a verse novel. Engle tells of Manzano’s genius and passion for poetry, the dichotomy of his hope and suffering, and the cruel hand of La Marqueza through the perspectives of five characters—Juan, La Marqueza, Maria Del Pilar—his mother, his father—Toribio, Don Nicolas—La Marqueza’s son, and the Overseer. Each of the character’s accounts build on the one that came before it. Juan’s poetic talents and his master’s inhumane acts are depicted throughout the book with a sense of eloquence and rawness. Sean Qualls’ charcoal-dark illustrations complement the harsh and often isolated realities Juan lived. The figurative language causes the reader to create mental images that at times are disturbing and make one feel a surge of different emotions. For example, Juan exclaims:
My mind is a brush made of feathers
painting pictures of words
I remember
all that I see
every syllable
each word a twin of itself
telling two stories
at the same time
one of sorrow
the other of hope (3).

Without hesitation, The Poet Slave of Cuba is a must for all libraries. Keeping this book away from the hands of young adults is like committing the same censorship La Marquez imposed on Juan.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “An absolutely lovely book…that should be read by young and old, black and white, Anglo and Latino.”
Starred review in BOOKLIST: “Readers will hear the stories—and never forget them.”
Starred review in Horn Book: “A work of literary imagination. Engle’s skillful portrait will spark readers;’ interest in Manzano’s own poetry.”
Starred review THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS: “The moving poetry and finely crafted story will draw readers in and leave them in tears and in awe.”

5. CONNECTIONS
*This book is versatile. It can be used to introduce students to verse novels. It can be used during Poetry Week/Month, and/or a discussion on slavery. A noteworthy Read Aloud.
*A study on the illustrator is another lesson that can evolve from this book.
*Comparing and contrasting Engle’s work in an author’s study would permit one to examine Engle’s choice of topics and possibly her style of writing.