Where the Flame Trees Bloom

Book Synopsis: Noted author Alma Flor Ada offers young readers eleven stories from her own childhood in Cuba - true stories about relatives and friends and the hacienda where she grew up for much of her elementary years. These true sto­ries from Alma Flor Ada's child­hood are filled with fam­ily love and val­ues. Told through the eyes of a child, a whole world comes to life for the reader: the blind great-grandmother who never went to school but whose wis­dom and gen­eros­ity over­flowed to those around her; the hired hand Samoné whose love for music over­came all dif­fi­cul­ties; her grand­fa­ther Modesto, who placed a higher value on human rela­tion­ships than on his pos­ses­sions. Eleven remark­able sto­ries will move and inspire chil­dren and adults alike.

Editorial Reviews From School Library Journal Grade 3-6-Those who wonder what "family values" really are may possibly find the answer in this slim volume of short stories. Telling of her childhood in Cuba, Ada begins with an introduction to her homeland followed by 11 episodes about her family and her community. One story tells of her grandfather Modesto's courage and loyalty in the face of the death of his beloved wife and the simultaneous collapse of the Cuban economy. Another tells of her great-grandmother Mina, who continued to make rag dolls for the village children even after she had lost her sight. And a third tale tells of a Japanese street vendor who sold ice cream for a living, but gave generous samples to children who could not afford to pay. Warmth and love for a treasured childhood exude from the pages. The writing is elegant, but not overly sweet. Each selection stands well on its own. Children can read this book independently or enjoy listening to it read aloud.

Marilyn Long Graham, Lee County Library System, Fort Myers, FL