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Katherine Paterson
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My Brigadista Year Hardcover – October 16, 2017

by Katherine Paterson (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 104 ratings
See all formats and editions
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In an engrossing historical novel, the Newbery Medal-winning author of Bridge to Terabithia follows a young Cuban teenager as she volunteers for Fidel Castro’s national literacy campaign and travels into the impoverished countryside to teach others how to read.

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. Lora 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 Lora is stubborn: didn’t her parents teach her to share what she has with someone in need? Surprisingly, Lora’s abuela takes her side, even as she makes Lora promise to come home if things get too hard. But how will Lora 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.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    10 - 14 years
  2. Print length
    160 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    5 - 9
  5. Lexile measure
    830L
  6. Dimensions
    5.56 x 0.73 x 8.13 inches
  7. Publisher
    Candlewick
  8. Publication date
    October 16, 2017
  9. ISBN-10
    0763695084
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0763695088
  11. See all details
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New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade. New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade.

From the Publisher

A Q&A With Author Katherine Paterson

What inspired your interest in this period of Cuba’s history?

When my friend Mary Leahy heard that I was planning a second trip to Cuba, she told me how envious she was. Her brother Senator Patrick Leahy had been there several times, seeking to mend relationships between our two countries, but she had never been. Early in her experience as the director of Central Vermont Adult Basic Education, Mary had learned of the amazingly successful literacy campaign that, in one year, turned Cuba into an illiteracy-free country. She tried to incorporate ideas from the Cuban model into her work in Vermont, especially the idea of enlisting volunteer teachers who would be humble enough to learn from their students as well as teach them.

I’d never heard about the campaign before, and this conversation with Mary sent me on a quest to find out about it.

Don't miss The Flint Heart

'Magical adventure. A grand tale skillfully updated and tightened up, this should win the hearts of a new generation.' —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

'Told in the voice of a storyteller in the style of A. A. Milne or J. M. Barrie, the tale will make an excellent read-aloud. . The Patersons have done a lovely job updating and abridging this tale for today's readers.' —School Library Journal (starred review)

'The Patersons have done a stellar job of maintaining the book's period feel while creating a fresher, tighter story that feels tailor-made for family reading.' —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Editorial Reviews

Review

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

About the Author

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.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Candlewick (October 16, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0763695084
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0763695088
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 - 14 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 830L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 5 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.56 x 0.73 x 8.13 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 104 ratings

About the author

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Katherine Paterson

Katherine Paterson

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Katherine Paterson is the internationally acclaimed author of over 35 books for children and young adults.

She has twice won both the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award. She received the 1998 Hans Christian Andersen Medal as well as the 2006 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for the body of her work, and was the National Ambassador for Children's Literature for the Library of Congress.

Two of her best-selling books have been made into feature films - "The Bridge to Terabithia" and "The Great Gilly Hopkins". An active promoter of reading, education and literacy, she lives in Barre, Vermont. She has four children and seven grandchildren, and her beloved dog, Pixie.

Visit Katherine Paterson on her web site at www.terabithia.com

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
104 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

S C
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great by Katherine Paterson
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2022
Verified Purchase
Ms. Paterson is one of my all-time favorite authors, for many reasons. Not only is she an amazing and sensitive storyteller (how does she find those perfect sentences?), but she chooses lesser-known settings and situations for her characters to grow in. And she challenges herself, you can see. Her protagonist here does not always see the USA in a rosy light, and Ms. Paterson has said, she wanted to put herself in the shoes of someone with a different perspective like that. This was a part of the history of Castro's Cuba that i did not know. Her historical research is wonderful, rare care taken with literature for young people. She manages to be honest about both the events, and the way a young person would see and relate to those events.
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Viviana
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2021
Verified Purchase
A beautiful true story of a young girl from the city who gets permission of her parents to go teach reading to peasants old enough to be her grandparents during the literacy program in early revolutionary Cuba. The book is beautifully written and sensitive to the feelings of a young girl. It is humbling and inspiring capturing her adventure and watching her grow , teach and be taught , love and be loved as she faces dangers and joys and social responsibiliies. participating in an amazing time in her country's history.
Loved by an 8 and a 11 year old I gave as gifts.
One person found this helpful
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Francesca Leone
4.0 out of 5 stars Another great tale from Katherine Paterson
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2024
Finally, a book that acknowledges that communism is a fiscal system, and doesn't rant against it! The great thing about this author is, she isn't afraid to immerse herself in the culture of the story. A really good, worthwhile read. Not Paterson's best, but nice.
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Khat
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is a historical novel about a 12-year old literacy worker in Cuba in the 1960's- it gave me and my children a great deal of information about the complexities of the government and culture of Cuba at the time. My children were shocked at how dangerous being a brigadista was. I didn't know about the government propaganda that was distributed through the program (probably the real reason for the program). I live in south Florida with many people who hailed from Cuba so I have a bit more of an understanding of the complexity of what happened during the revolution. This is definitely a recommended read- not heart-wrenching like Bridge to Terabithia- but still a "coming of age" story. How the main character matured warmed my heart. Thank you, Ms. Paterson!
5 people found this helpful
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Youlanda Elkins
5.0 out of 5 stars Great human connection story
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2020
Verified Purchase
Great book for young minds. If you're trying to help youngsters (10-13) learn about different cultures or just providing them with the opportunity to experience a human connection story, this is the perfect read.
2 people found this helpful
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Bruce A. Frishkoff
5.0 out of 5 stars Katherine Paterson at her best!
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2017
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed every page. It was nformative and inspirational. This would be a great present for any girl or boy over the age of ten.
2 people found this helpful
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Anonymous
3.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed learning about this part of history
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2017
First of all, thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars.

My Brigadista Year is a charming story about a piece of history I had never heard about: The campaign against illiteracy lead by Fidel Castro. I really enjoyed learning about this part of history, and as someone who has been teaching literacy for about a year now I deeply appreciated the touching depiction about how Lora taught reading but learned life.

The form of the book is actually the part I found less engaging. In the very end, it's implied that we are actually reading Lora's diary (or, at least, that she is drawing very heavily from it?), which explains why so much of the story is told to us instead of shown. I tend to prefer my stories very close to the protagonist and very active, so I found this distance between us and the narrator a bit uninteresting. However, Katherine Paterson captures the voice of her protagonist very well--it really did feel like reading someone's recollections, and looking back at the book as a whole I can see how that form helped the story (after all, we have one whole year contained in a relatively short book!). I think because the story landed somewhere between diary and normal first person past-tense, I ended up feeling a bit muddled and confused. But this whole paragraph is probably something only an adult reading would notice or possible be bothered by.

I'd definitely recommend this to children curious about adventures, teaching, and rural areas of the world.
One person found this helpful
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Pamela
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2018
Verified Purchase
Paterson always an excellent read.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
C. S. D. Robertson
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful little story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
Took a few hours to read ...lovely story, emotional ...and still relevant given the hundreds of millions who still can’t read and write from Pakistan to Senegal
One person found this helpful
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シマリス
5.0 out of 5 stars 爽快なYA小説
Reviewed in Japan on September 15, 2020
Verified Purchase
山村の人々（ほとんどが大人たち）にボランティアで読み書きを教えた少女の成長の物語。
教えることは学ぶことだと改めて思いました。
気持が爽快になるYA小説です。
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