• Author: Emma Otheguy
  • Illustrator: Beatriz Vidal
  • Translator: Adriana Dominguez
  • Publisher: Lee & Low Books
  • Publication Date: July 16th, 2017
  • ISBN: 978-0892393756
  • Ages: 7-12
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"This is a gorgeous bilingual tribute to the life of Cuba’s hero-poet." — Horn Book

About the book

As a boy, José Martí was inspired by the natural world. He found freedom in the river that rushed to the sea and peace in the palmas reales that swayed in the wind. Freedom, he believed, was the inherent right of all men and women. But his home island of Cuba was colonized by Spain, and some of the people were enslaved by rich landowners. Enraged, Martí took up his pen and fought against this oppression through his writings. By age seventeen, he was declared an enemy of Spain and forced to leave his beloved island.

Martí traveled the world, speaking out for Cuba’s independence. But throughout his exile, he suffered from illness and homesickness. He found solace in New York’s Catskill Mountains, where nature inspired him once again to fight for independence.

Written in verse, with excerpts from Martí’s seminal Versos sencillos, this book is a beautiful tribute to a brilliant political writer and courageous fighter of freedom for all men and women.

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Praise for Martí’s Song for Freedom:

  • "A sensitive and poignant tribute to one of Latin America’s most important historical figures that will encourage readers of all ages to fight for freedom and peace." — School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
  • "In bringing an important life back into the conversation during divided political times, this book spotlights a steadfast hero and brilliant writer still worth admiring today." — Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
  • "Excerpts from Martí’s Versos sencillos thoughtfully underscore this moving account of his crusade for justice." — Publisher’s Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
  • "Otheguy and Vidal tell a timely story that will inspire many to fight for equality and sing songs for freedom." — Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
  • "Otheguy’s text (paired with the Spanish translations by author, editor and literary agent Adriana Domínguez) is clean and concise, direct and approachable." — Shelf Awareness, STARRED REVIEW
  • "This is a gorgeous bilingual tribute to the life of Cuba’s hero-poet." — Horn Book

Buy Now