My Brigadista Year

When thirteen-year-old Lora tells her parents that she wants to join Premier Castro’s army of young literacy teachers, her mother screeches to high heaven, and her father roars like a lion. Nora has barely been outside of Havana — why would she throw away her life in a remote shack with no electricity, sleeping on a hammock in somebody’s kitchen? But Nora is stubborn: didn’t her parents teach her to share what she has with someone in need? Surprisingly, Nora’s abuela takes her side, even as she makes Nora promise to come home if things get too hard. But how will Nora know for sure when that time has come? Shining light on a little-known moment in history, Katherine Paterson traces a young teen’s coming-of-age journey from a sheltered life to a singular mission: teaching fellow Cubans of all ages to read and write, while helping with the work of their daily lives and sharing the dangers posed by counterrevolutionaries hiding in the hills nearby. Inspired by true accounts, the novel includes an author’s note and a timeline of Cuban history.

“Through Lora's nave but openhearted perspective, Paterson weaves in details about Cuban history and the events that led to the overthrow of the Batista regime and the rise of Communism...Paterson's story is without political agenda, focusing instead on an improbable (and successful) literacy campaign and how it dramatically expands the world of one sheltered but determined girl. --Publishers Weekly Paterson offers a glimpse of the daily life of a brigadista, redressing the cursory associations many have about Castro's Cuba. Hers is a positive study of an amazing moment in history that nonetheless acknowledges the darker political machinations at play...the themes of literacy, freedom, and community stay strong. Educational and inspiring. --Kirkus Reviews Readers will find that the strength of the book lies not in Lora's adventures but in the critical question she asks: Which country is truly perfect? A fascinating...portrayal of a turbulent time in history. --Booklist ...the issues and themes explored will raise questions, hopefully spark further research into Cuban history, and fuel discussion. Paterson offers a moving look at an episode in Cuban history. --School Library Journal Motivational and clearly written with purpose and historical interest, Paterson's tale about the need for societal change and the positive impacts volunteering has for young people is important and intriguing. --Creators (blog) Lora will engage tween and teen readers who may seek out Lora's inspiration, the work of Jos Mart, Versos Sencillos/Simple Verses (Arte Pblico Press, 1997). --VOYA”

Through Lora’s naïve but openhearted perspective, Paterson weaves in details about Cuban history and the events that led to the overthrow of the Batista regime and the rise of Communism...Paterson’s story is without political agenda, focusing instead on an improbable (and successful) literacy campaign and how it dramatically expands the world of one sheltered but determined girl.
—Publishers Weekly

Paterson offers a glimpse of the daily life of a brigadista, redressing the cursory associations many have about Castro's Cuba. Hers is a positive study of an amazing moment in history that nonetheless acknowledges the darker political machinations at play...the themes of literacy, freedom, and community stay strong. Educational and inspiring.
—Kirkus Reviews

Readers will find that the strength of the book lies not in Lora’s adventures but in the critical question she asks: Which country is truly perfect? A fascinating...portrayal of a turbulent time in history.
—Booklist

...the issues and themes explored will raise questions, hopefully spark further research into Cuban history, and fuel discussion. Paterson offers a moving look at an episode in Cuban history.
—School Library Journal

Motivational and clearly written with purpose and historical interest, Paterson's tale about the need for societal change and the positive impacts volunteering has for young people is important and intriguing.
—Creators (blog)

As always, Paterson eloquently delivers a fascinating slice of history, then gives her readers important points to ponder, making My Brigadista Year a gloriously timeless story.
—BookPage

Lora will engage tween and teen readers who may seek out Lora’s inspiration, the work of Josè Martí, Versos Sencillos/Simple Verses (Arte Público Press, 1997).
—VOYA

The story is well-written with a strong main character determined to show her worth in a world that has minimal expectations for a young teenager, let alone a young female teenager.
—School Library Connection

A story written in the beautiful way that only Katharine Paterson can achieve, I also learned a lot about Cuba’s history and got a taste of what life must have been like in 1960s Cuba.
—BookRiot Newsletter

This story is of the personal determination that risked comfort and safety to bring those desired changes for others. It’s an inspiring, eye-opening, and courageous story that will impact its readers and bring an awakening to each person’s place in society.
—Story Monsters Ink

In this idealistic and informative coming-of-age novel, readers experience alongside Lora her triumphs and challenges as she exchanges her sheltered city life for the experience of living on a farm and seeing how learning to read and write changes lives...Lora’s story helps readers see how the Cuban people’s resilience and fortitude overcame extreme hardship.
—Horn Book

This beautiful, powerful, and surprising book gives insight into a Cuba most Americans have never seen and into the life of a young girl willing to risk everything she has to share her love of the written word with others.
—Shelf Awareness Pro

A fascinating, insightful and exciting work of historical fiction, My Brigadista Year is thought-provoking and profound on many levels.
—Kendal A. Rautzhan's "Books to Borrow . . . Books to Buy"

Based on historical events and the accounts of actual brigadistas, this is a fascinating story that brings into focus the dramatic experiment which raised the literacy rate in Cuba from 60 per cent to 96 per cent in one year. Paterson, now living in Vermont, has written a novel which will inspire young readers by demonstrating the difference one committed person can make in a community.
—Winnipeg Free Press

Katherine Paterson is a former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Her international fame rests not only on her widely acclaimed novels but also on her efforts to promote literacy in the United States and abroad. A two-time winner of the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award, she has also received numerous other accolades, including the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, as well as the Vermont Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.With her late husband, John Paterson, she co-authored The Flint Heart, a wryly retold fantasy illustrated by John Rocco and published by Candlewick Press. In 2000, Katherine Paterson was named a Living Legend by the Library of Congress. She lives in Barre, Vermont.

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