In this companion volume to Alma Flor Ada's Where the Flame Trees Bloom, the author offers young readers another inspiring collection of stories and reminiscences drawn from her childhood on the island of Cuba. Through those stories we see how the many events and relationships she enjoyed helped shape who she is today.
We learn of a deep friendship with a beloved dance teacher that helped sustain young Alma Flor through a miserable year in school. We meet relatives, like her mysterious Uncle Manolo, whose secret, she later learns, is that he dedicated his life to healing lepers. We share the tragedy of another uncle whose spirited personality leads to his love of flying...and the crash that takes his life.
Heartwarming, poignant, and often humorous, this collection encourages children to discover the stories in their our own lives -- stories that can help inform their own values and celebrate the joys and struggles we all share no matter where or when we grew up.

 

This book was recognised in the Author category by the Pura Belpre Award. It was recognised in the Nonfiction - YA category by the Americas Award.

This book is aimed at children in primary school.

There are 85 pages in this book. This book was published 1999 by Simon & Schuster .

ALMA FLOR ADA is retired Professor of Education at the University of San Francisco. She is a well-known author of children's and professional books for teachers and with Isabel Campoy is the co-owner of Del Sol Books, a publishing company that specializes in Spanish language translations and materials for children.