For the young reader grappling with identity and finding their voice, this verse novel explores a Cuban-American girl's journey to become a poet during the Cold War.
A parent might reach for this book when their thoughtful, creative child feels torn between two cultures or struggles to find their voice amidst the pressures of the world. Soaring Earth is a beautiful memoir in verse about author Margarita Engle's teenage years as a Cuban-American girl in California during the turbulent 1960s. As she navigates high school, first love, and the anxieties of the Vietnam War, she uses poetry to make sense of her split identity and her longing for the Cuban half of her family. For readers 10 to 14, this book gently explores themes of self-confidence, resilience, and the power of art to create belonging. It’s an excellent choice for a child who appreciates lyrical language and introspective stories, offering a powerful model for channeling complex feelings into creative expression and activism.
Mentions prejudice and anti-Cuban sentiment during the Cold War.
Cultural Content GapMild
Some historical context on the Cold War and Vietnam War is helpful for full comprehension.
Sensitive Topics
The core topic is cultural identity and the feeling of being an outsider, which is handled directly and with great personal insight. The book addresses the anxieties of war (Vietnam, the Cold War) and mentions prejudice against Cubans in a secular context. The resolution is hopeful, focusing on the protagonist's empowerment through education, activism, and art. It is a story of integration and self-acceptance.
Ideal Reader
An introspective 11 to 13-year-old who feels like they have a foot in two different worlds, whether culturally, socially, or emotionally. It is perfect for a young writer, artist, or activist who is starting to grapple with big world problems and is looking for a way to make a difference and understand their own feelings.
Parent Prep
No specific pages require previewing, but a brief conversation about the historical context of the late 1960s (the Cold War, the Vietnam War, anti-war protests, the Civil Rights Movement) would greatly enrich the reading experience. The verse format is also worth mentioning beforehand as a unique and poetic way to tell a story. A parent overhears their child expressing a feeling of not belonging: "I don't feel American enough," or "I don't know where I fit in." The child might also be showing early signs of social consciousness, expressing anxiety about war or injustice and feeling powerless.
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-11) will connect strongly with the personal story of feeling different, the family relationships, and the love of nature. An older reader (12-14) will be better equipped to understand the historical nuances and the political commentary, connecting Margarita’s personal activism to the broader social movements of the era.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many historical fiction books that focus on plot-driven action, this book's power is in its deeply personal, lyrical, and internal perspective. The free-verse format makes complex historical and emotional themes feel immediate and accessible. It is a memoir that reads like a poem, uniquely capturing how global events shape an individual's creative and personal identity.
Read plot summary
This verse memoir follows Margarita Engle through her teenage years in California during the late 1960s. As a Cuban-American during the height of the Cold War and the Vietnam War, she feels like an outsider. The story chronicles her experiences with prejudice, her participation in peace activism, her academic journey into botany and agronomy, and her deepening commitment to poetry as a way to process the world and connect with her divided heritage. It is a quiet, internal story of finding one's voice against a backdrop of significant historical turmoil.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Margarita often feels like she has 'two selves' or lives in 'two worlds,' one in California and one in Cuba. How does she use her love for nature and poetry to try and bring these two worlds together?
2
The story is set during the Vietnam War. How do the big events happening in the world, like the war and peace protests, influence Margarita's personal feelings and her writing?
3
Margarita studies agronomy (the science of soil and crops) to help people, but she also feels a strong pull toward poetry. Do you think science and art are opposites, or can they work together? How do they in this book?
4
At the end of the book, Margarita describes finding her own 'soaring' voice. What do you think she means by this, and how has she changed from the girl at the beginning of the story?
