The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano

Written by: Margarita Engle

Retrieved from www.nassaulibrary.org on 3/29/2013

Illustrated by: Sean Qualls

Published by: Henry Holt and Company

Year: 2006

ISBN: 0805077065

Critical Analysis:

Hauntingly moving, tremendously powerful, emotionally excruciating yet hopeful; these are only a few of the phrases best used to describe this well written biography of the life of Juan Francisco Manzano, a poet slave of Cuba. Done in free verse, told in alternating points of view and enhanced by the charcoal drawings of Sean Qualls, this sparsely written yet extremely powerful verse novel by Margarita Engle immerses the reader into the life of slavery endured by one of Cuba’s most gifted poets. A word of caution is warranted as some portions may be too harsh for sensitive readers. But for those readers who can make it to the end of this emotion laden book, hope survives as the author ends on a positive note by writing of Juan’s escape to freedom.

                                                               

          So many voices

                                                          wishing me well, crying out

                                                          God be with you

                                                           hurry, hurry

                                                           don’t delay!

                                                               

                                                           So many voices, joined as one

                                                           so many eyes in the gloom

                                                           seeing through the darkness

                                                           watching me, singing out hopefully

                                                           as I escape! (Engle, p. 172).

                                                               

The acknowledgements at the end of the book give the reader further resources to peruse. Also included are excerpts from some of Manzano’s own poetry. Written in Spanish and translated into English these beautifully written verses are filled with Manzano’s feelings of beauty, hope, and love. This book is a thought provoking, emotionally charged, and beautiful work of art.

                                                          An excerpt from “Dreams” (“Illusiones”):

                                                          Si, you la vi una noche…Cuan hermosa

                                                          Me parecio esta vez entre otras bellas!

                                                          Mas de un afecto tierno que hasta entonces

                                                          Ignoraba me fue-senti en el alma

                                                          La dulce agitacion del seno

                                                          El placido latir, y el grato anhelo

                                                          De vivir para amar y ser dichoso…

                                                          Yes, I saw her one night… How beautiful

                                                          She seemed to me this time, as always!               

                                                          And from a tender affection up until then

                                                          Ignored- I felt in my soul

                                                          The sweet agitation of breath

                                                          The quiet pulse, and the pleasant desire

                                                          To live for love and to be happy….(Engle, p. 180).

Awards:

Booklist Starred Review, Feb. 15, 2006; American Library Association; United States

Notable Children’s Books, 2008; ALSC American Library Association; United States

Teachers’ Choices, 2007; International Reading Association; United States

Americas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, 2007 Winner United States

Pura Belpre Award, 2008 Winner Narrative United States

Patterson Prize for Books for Young People, 2007 Special Recognition United States

IRA Children’s and Young Adults’ Book Award, 2007 Winner Young Adult-Nonfiction International

Connections:

This work is definitely an excellent addition to a unit on slavery although it is not recommended for elementary school aged children. Read this together or assign it as required reading to introduce the fact that slavery was not just in the United States nor were African Americans the only race enslaved.

Provide copies of Poems by A Slave in the Island of Cuba, Recently Liberated: Translated From the Spanish, by R. R. Madden, M. D. With the History of the Early Life of the Negro Poet, Written by Himself; to Which Are Prefixed Two Pieces Descriptive of Cuban Slavery and the Slave-Traffic, by R. R. M.: Electronic Edition. Manzano, Juan Francisco, 1797-1854 and Madden, Richard Robert, 1798-1886. www.docsouth.unc.edu/neh/manzano/manzano.html

Have students research and find other poetry, artwork, and songs created by other slaves and former slaves. Create a wall sized timeline that includes names, times, country of origin, poetry, works of art, and photographs or paintings of writers and artists if available.