Module 5: 90 Miles to Havana

a.       Julian is the youngest of three boys born to a wealthy family in Cuba during the revolution. He spend a lot of time with his family’s servant named Bebo. Bebo is described as a smart man who can fix anything and always takes the time to explain things to Julian, who is usually dismissed or teased by his family. After many questions, Bebo explain what this revolution means to his country. Bebo compared the revolution to eggs. Just as eggs are cracked and drained for their resources, so will Cuba be damaged and then reshaped into an omelet. Some will not like the new omelet and others will. Julian’s parents do not like what they see and try to get the family out but sadly, only the boys manage to leave first with one suitcase each, through fraudulent passports. His parents promise to follow soon after. The boys land in the United States and are shuffled into camp that is not as fun as it seems. They meet a few kids from their old neighborhood, some of which are friends as well as enemies. Julian and his brothers are targeted by El Caballo, a boy that resents them for being wealthy in their old neighborhood. The reader can tell that El Caballo was mistreated back then and is getting his payback now by making the boys’ lives miserable. After a series of arguments and accusations, Julian’ older brother get sent off to an orphanage in Colorado. Julian starts to fight El Caballo back by pulling several pranks, which makes him want to get rid of Julian too. Julian pulls his biggest prank in order to get to go to the city. When he gets there, he meets a friend who takes him on as a roommate. Julian learns that he has to do whatever work he can find in order to survive outside of the camp. His friend takes him on a crazy rescue mission that helps several families get out of Cuba as well. Soon after, his mother manages to get a hold of him and his brothers but they family is still incomplete without his family. Julian and family experience what many others went through in order to escape a country they no longer wanted to be a part of.

b.      Flores-Galbis, E. (2010) 90 miles to havana. New York: Roaring Book Press.

c.       90 Miles to Havana was an interesting read. I felt that some parts were a bit hard to believe but then again, I never went through something like that. For example, the part where he is included in the rescue mission seems to far-fetched. He is just a young boy! His tales of being a young boy in the city trying to find work reminded me of my father and his childhood. Julian and his brothers went through so much here in the U.S. without their parents and it was nice to see them reunited with their mom at the end.

d.      Regel, J. (2010). 90 miles to havana. Library Media Connection, 29(1), 76.

Flores-Galbis, Enrique

90 Miles to Havana

2010. 304pp. $16.99 be. Roaring Brook Press.

978-1-59643-168-3. Grade 6 & Up

The pampered lifestyle of young Julian and his brothers is abruptly halted when their parents make the difficult choice to send them to the United States after the rebellion in Cuba. Like many other children, they are separated from their parents and are forced to live in a Miami "camp" with other Cuban children while temporary homes are located for them. Julian holds the key to a promising future in America For his entire family-a jeweled heirloom hidden in a secret compartment in his suitcase. Overcoming obstacles such as a camp bully, separation from his brothers, lack of money, homelessness, a rescue mission to Cuba, and a relentless policeman, Julian is finally reunited with his mother and brothers. The book ends hopeful that the father will be able to join them in the United States. This easy-to-read, heartwarming piece of historical fiction is taken from the author's own childhood experience during the 1960s. 90 Miles to Havana will be enjoyed by readers who appreciate a coming of age story that captures a segment of Cuban and American history. Recommended.

Jennifer Regal Parker, NBCT, Librarian, Magee (Mississippi) High School.  

e.       90 Miles to Havana would be a good book to use for students to see a different sort of coming to America story. I would use it for a booktalk to get them interested in reading this story. I would like to invite students and staff to share their story if applicable in a display. This would be a great opportunity to get to know different experiences in entering our country.