My Brigadista Year

Katherine Paterson's 'My Brigadista Year' transports readers to 1961 Cuba, where 13-year-old Lora eagerly joins Fidel Castro's ambitious literacy campaign. Leaving her comfortable Havana home, Lora journeys into the impoverished countryside to teach her fellow Cubans to read and write. This historical fiction novel explores themes of courage, social justice, and coming-of-age as Lora confronts the challenges of rural life, the dangers posed by counterrevolutionaries, and the profound impact of education. It offers a unique window into a pivotal moment in Cuban history and the power of individual action.