Book Review of The Surrender Tree by Margarita Engle

 

1.      Bibliography

Engle, M. 2008. The surrender tree. Henry Holt and Company, LLC. ISBN: 9780805086744

2.      Plot Summary

In this story we follow Rosa as a child, being captured and used to heal people as the country of Cuba fights for freedom.  We begin with Rosa and her journey to start using plants and nature to help and heal the sick and wounded.  As the war continues her people finally become free but are not considered free by all.  Rosa fleas and starts to help people in secret on her own, she becomes wildly famous among refugees who seek her out for healing and comfort.  We follow her into adulthood where she gets married and together her and her husband fight for the life they want which is to heal and be truly free.

3.      Critical Analysis

Engle captures what it feels like to live in Cuba during the war for freedom.  Each page is arranged in stanzas and reads like a book but in short phrases.  You get the feel of a diary entry as you follow along each character and their journey.  We get some comparative language in the book like, “sometimes war feels like a lonely child’s game, one that explodes out of control.” There is also imagery in the book to give you a glimpse of the scenery, “green parrots swoop above the swollen trunks of potbellied palm trees.”  There is a deep emotion in this book that you can feel from the different viewpoints of the different people portrayed in this story.  Rosa’s emotions are fear, not knowing if she is helping or not, and worry.  Jose’s emotions are him being strong for his patients and wife, he is a protector and healer.  Silvia has moments of feeling defeated from losing her family, all of this is clearly defined in the poems of each character.  Each character’s name appears at the top of the page, so you know who is being referenced.  There is an author’s note at the end of the book as well as an introduction to build background knowledge.  This book is for older children and is a great book that talks about war, camps, and struggles of life choices. 

4.      Review Excerpt(s)

“Engle writes her new book in clear, short lines of stirring free verse. Caught by the compelling narrative voices, many readers will want to find out more.” ―Booklist, Starred Review

“Hauntingly beautiful, revealing pieces of Cuba's troubled past through the poetry of hidden moments.” ―School Library Journal

 

Winner, Americas Award, An ALA Best Book for Young Adults, A Bank Street College of Education Best Book, A New York Public Library Best Books for the Teen Age, A CCBC Choice, A Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Book, A Booklist Editor’s Choice

5.      Connections

*Older students can learn about different cultures during the war, we can compare this book to books on the Holocaust because both feature concentration camps and the struggles to survive.

*This book is a great way to teach perspective and viewpoints.  You can see both sides of the story and how each person thinks they are doing the right thing.