Student Review: "The Poet Slave of Cuba," by Margarita Engle

Juan Francisco Manzano is a slave in Cuba owned by a wealthy woman. He was forced to call another woman mama when he had a mom of his own. His owner had him beaten and punished for doing the simplest things like talking, reading, crying, or sometimes bathing. As Juan grows up, he has a natural talent for poetry. He learns to read and write. His owner's son helps him and thinks that it is terrible how his mother is treating him. Juan's mother and father die. Juan eventually escapes his horrible life. This book was sad and hard to read because of the stuff described.

Review by Elliana G.

#biography #nonfiction #poetry #studentreview