My Challenge Book Blog

   Hey guys! Today I finished my first book of the summer! The book I chose is The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz Gonzalez which will serve as my challenge book. I chose this book as my challenge book because it focuses on the communist revolution  in Cuba, in which before reading this book I knew nothing about. I usually read fiction books such as The Hunger Games or The Maze Runner so it was nice to switch it up and learn about something new. Not only was this book a challenge but it was also really fun to read! I loved this book so much that instead of jumping into the pool today, I sat in a lounge chair and read the day away! So if you're looking for a good book to read this Summer I definitely recommend this book.

   The Red Umbrella takes you through the heart wrenching story of fourteen-year-old Lucia, her younger brother Frankie, as well as her parents and the many hardships the family faces. This book takes place in 1961 after the communist revolution where a man named Castro and his soldiers are trying to change Cuba for what they think is for the best. While many people agree with Castro's ideas there are a few people who don't, but if they tried to disagree with him they could face huge consequences like being arrested or possibly even death. Many of the freedoms people held were taken away by Castro. When Lucia's family feels it is too dangerous for her and her brother to remain in Cuba, they are sent to the US where they will live until their family reunites with them. But that's the thing, will they reunite? Will Castro's revolution end? Will the Cubans ever regain their lost freedoms? To find out the answer to these questions and about the Cuban revolution read The Red Umbrella .

     As you can now see this book is really interesting and informative but also it helps you learn a little Spanish along the way. Since the family in the book is Cuban, their language is Spanish and the book includes some Spanish words and phrases plus a dictionary to define them. For example vida means life and pecera means fishbowl.
       The next book I plan on reading is Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson. It has won many awards and was written by the author of Fever 1793 which is one of my favorite books, so i have a good feeling that I will like this book. That concludes this blog post and thanks for reading!


     ~ Savannah:)

    

Hey Guys! So, I usually read at least three books over the summer anyways but I am excited about getting to blog about my readings and read other peoples blogs. There are so many good books on the list that I haven't even decided which ones to read first but I am sure I will find one that I love.  It seems when I start to read a good book I just can't seem to put it down! Here are some sure-fire ways to tell when I am reading a good book!

• Instead of diving into the pool or taking a dip in the ocean, I am sitting in a lounge chair reading.
• In between events at swim meets I am snuggled up in my towel reading
• I stay up way too late  at night cuddled up in my warm blankets and reading for hours straight!

As you can tell from the list above, when I am reading a really good book, it shows. Some people are amazed at how I get so absorbed in books! My family has even gave me the nickname "bookworm" which is actually a very fitting name for me!   This summer I see a lot of trips to the book store or the library in my future! Thanks for reading my first blog and I look forward to seeing everyone's blogs this summer!
                                            
    - Happy Reading!
         Savannah