The Firefly Letters

 The Firefly Letters by Margarita Engle

1. Bibliography 

Engle, M. (2017). The firefly letters: a suffragette’s journey to Cuba. Square Fish. ISBN: 9781250110961 

2. Plot Summary 

This novel in verse involves 3 characters. Fredrika Bremer (a Swedish writer and social reformer), Cecilia (a young African Slave) and Elena (the daughter of the Magistrate). Fredrika comes to Cuba and stays in Elena’s home which is a mansion. While Fredrika explores the island with Cecilia, who is her translator, Elena is not allowed to explore the island because it is not proper. Elena watches from a window, as Fredrika and Cecilia interact and explore the island. As Fredrika begins to realize that even though the island is beautiful it is not open for everyone to enjoy freely. There are slaves, freed slaves and poor people. Fredrika writes and sketches about her findings. A turning point in the story is when we find out Cecilia is with a child. Fredrika is 

told for a fee, the unborn child could be born free. Elena who spends her day stitching lace flowers for her hope chest begins to give these lace flowers to Fredrika who sells them for Elena. The story ends with Cecilia going to the courthouse to pay for her unborn child to be born free and the person who paid for this was Elena from the sale of her lace. 

3. Critical Analysis 

Author Margarita Engle has done a wonderful job of creating an interwoven story of 3 women. Fredrika (the Swede), Elena (the daughter of the Magistrate) and Cecilia (The slave who works for Elena’s family). The three women have become friends and they each worry about each other in their own thoughts and words that Engle gives them. We know Fredrika is a strong woman, during school visits she would have Cecilia “translate while Fredrika scolds the schoolmistress for keeping girls in class only one hour a day and for teaching them nothing but embroidery, lacemaking, and saints' lives while boys study all day long learning mathematics and science.” Elena wants to be part of Fredrika and Cecilia’s world, but she is not allowed. Elena is strong too. "She has learned how to dream of a magical world without masters and slaves.” Those words give the reader many things to think about Elena’s character. It shows the change that she is going through. Cecilia character is one of loyalty. Even though she misses her home in Africa, she ia there for Fredrika when she becomes sick and she is there for Elena when she is needed. 

4. Review Excerpts 

Booklist (December 15, 2009 (Vol. 106, No. 8)) Through this moving combination of historical viewpoints, Engle creates dramatic tension among the characters, especially in the story of Elena, who makes a surprising sacrifice. 

Horn Book Guide starred (Fall 2010) Fictional Elena's story is thin, but Engle's deftly crafted narrative of historical fact is vibrant. 

Kirkus Reviews starred (January 1, 2010) And like the firefly light, Engle's poetry is a gossamer thread of subtle beauty weaving together three memorable characters who together find hope and courage. Another fine volume by a master of the novel in verse. 

Pura Belpré Honor Book 

American Library Association Notable Children's Book 

5. Connections 

• Before reading students can discuss freedoms that women have today. After reading the poem, the students can compare the difference of freedoms from The Firefly Letters and today. 

• Read Garvey’s Choice by Nikki Grimes what character trait does the main character in this book share with Elena in The Firefly Letters. 

• In the book The Firefly Letters, Fredrika sketches many things that she sees in Cuba. Sketch a scene from the book that stood out to you and be prepared to discuss the words that led to your sketch.