Engle, Margarita. THE SURRENDER TREE. 2008. New York, NY. Henry Hold and Company. ISBN 978-0-8050-8674-4.

 BIBLIOGRPAHY 

Engle, Margarita. THE SURRENDER TREE. 2008. New York, NY. Henry Hold and Company. ISBN 978-0-8050-8674-4. 

PLOT SUMMARY 

Through free verse poems Margarita Engle tells Cuban History. Three wars happen during this time as Cuba tried to gain independence. Rosa, known by some as a witch and others by a healer, works hard to treat and heal injured slaves. She heals the injured in caves and is on a list of slaves wanted by slave hunters.  She later marries a free man, Jose. He helps her further her calling for healing the sick by traveling to their many hospitals. Lieutenant Death tries to hunt her and other slaves down. Silvia, a young girl forced from her Cuban home that was set on fire, heard of Rosa and wishes to work alongside her. After she is left without family, she searches for and is treated by Rosa. Their stories show war, slavery, and the struggle for freedom for Cubans during this time. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS) 

The characters are described accurately in relation to this specific time period. Rosa and Jose work hard to keep themselves and their patients safe. Jose narrates their struggle of pressure in continuing their work of healing and caring for the runaway slaves “I picture the two of us, carved and polished, motionless, yet alive, holding up our roof of hope.” We see a great balance of good and evil as Liutenent Death works to collect ears of those he has captured and searches endlessly for Rosa and she works hard to learn the different natural remedies to heal the cases she comes across. She interacts with other cultures as she learns to communicate with few words from African tribes, Native Cuban Indian tribes and many dialects of Spain. Towards the end of the last war we see U.S. Cavalries assist in Cuba and Silvia interacts with the nurses inspiring her even more.  

The historical setting is representative of the environment in the story.  They spent time in secret villages and caves. Rosa and Jose have weapons that will not hold up against the equipment of the slave hunters. They’re constantly dreaming of life outside their oppression. Jose mentions, “I dream of a farm...and a view of green wilderness stretching, like time...” The gender roles are typical of these historic times as Rosa has the traditional mother-like role of caring for others. The Spanish language is present throughout the book with people's names, translations like gallina ciega (blind hen), Cuidado (beware) and many more words mentioned throughout. The theme of resilience is present throughout as they work to stay hidden, their travels to different locations to heal the injured, their strength to continue despite being sought after by their enemies all amount to their celebration upon becoming freed people.  

The three main characters give their own perspective from their time at war which helps the reader understand the different points of view. The free-verse poems are easy to read and understand. The poems meet the criteria for the history of Cuba as well as poetry for young adult nonfiction.  

REVIEW EXCERPTS 

ALA Notable Children’s Books, 2009 

Booklist, 11/15/09 

Booklist starred, 03/15/08 

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, 05/01/08 

Christian Library Journal, 04/01/10 

Horn Book Magazine, 07/01/08 

Kirkus Reviews, 03/15/08 

Newbery Honor, 2009 

Pura Belpre Author Award, 2009 

School Library Journal, 06/01/08 

Booklist starred (March 15, 2008 (Vol. 104, No. 14): “ Engle’s new book is written in clear, short lines of stirring free verse. This time she draws on her own Cuban American roots, including stories from her grandmother, to describe those who fought in the nineteenth-century Cuban struggle for independence.” 

Horn Book Guide Starred (September, 2008): “ Engle uses these historical events to craft a powerful free-verse narrative told through soliloquies of various revolutionary characters, including folk heroine Rosa la Bayamesa, a former slave and healer.” 

Kirkus Reviews (March 15, 2008): “Stretching from 1850 to 1899, these poems convey the fierce desire of the Cuban people to be free.” 

CONNECTIONS 

The free-verse poems in The Surrender Tree lend themselves for readers to write their own. Creating a free verse poem on a topic of interest can help them express the way they feel on a given topic.  

Looking into Margarita Engle through her website can give the readers a great look into her work and who she is.  

Displaying other books such as “The Slave Poet” by Margarita Engle would be a great way for readers to read more of her work. 

Mora, Pat. THE DESERT IS MY MOTHER=EL DESIERTO ES MI MADRE. ISBN 978-1-51850-462-4 

Alarcon, Francisco X. IGUANAS IN THE SNOW AND OTHER WINTER POEMS. ISBN 978-0-329-566073-7 

Alarcon, Francisco X. POEMS TO DREAM TOGETHER= POEMAS PARA SONAR JUNTOS. ISBN 978-0-329-84444-8