We Visit Cuba (Your Land and My Land)

Kathleen Tracy has been a journalist for over twenty years. Her writing has been featured in magazines including The Toronto Star s Star Week, A&E Biography magazine, KidScreen, and TV Times. She is also the author of numerous books for Mitchell Lane Publishers, including The Fall of the Berlin Wall; Paul Cézanne; The Story of September 11, 2001; The Clinton View; Johnny Depp; Mariah Carey; and Kelly Clarkson. Tracy lives in the Los Angeles area with her two dogs and African Grey parrot.

With an inviting format that includes bright color photos on every spread, this title in the Your Land and My Land: Latin America series offers an appealing overview of Cuba’s history, geography, culture and lifestyle, politics, economics, and more. Beginning with the South American Ciboney and Taino tribes, the chapters move on to the arrival of Columbus, the disappearance of the indigenous tribes by 1570, the Europeans’ importation of African slaves, and the fight for independence that continued until Fidel Castro’s establishment of a Communist state. Up-to-date, the title includes contemporary life and the changes brought by Fidel Castro’s brother, Raúl: “Cubans want to modernize, but not necessarily Westernize” sums up the present scene. Additional, lively chapters introduce famous Cubans, major festivals, and top places to visit in the country. The accessible back matter includes recipes, a time line, a glossary, craft projects, and a bibliography of books and resources. A good starting place for research as well as for personal interest. Grades 4-7. --Hazel Rochman