Before We Were Free
by Julia Alvarez
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Anita de la Torre never questioned her freedom living in the Dominican Republic. But by her twelfth birthday in 1960, most of her relatives have immigrated to the United States, her To Toni has disappeared without a trace, and the government's secret police terrorize her remaining family because of their suspected opposition to Trujillo's iron-fisted rule. Using the strength and courage of her family, Anita must overcome her fears and fly to freedom, leaving all that she once knew behind. "A stirring work of art." --Publishers Weekly, Starred Review "A realistic and compelling account of a girl growing up too quickly while coming to terms with the cost of freedom." --The Horn Book, Starred Review "Diary entries written by the child while in hiding will remind readers of Anne Frank's story. . . . Readers will bite their nails as the story moves to its inexorable conclusion." --SLJ
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9780399555497
- Binding
- Paperback
- Authors
- Julia Alvarez
- Publisher
- Ember
- Published Date
- March 27, 2018
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 208
- Physical Info
- 8.3 in L x 5.7 in W (0.4 lb)
Before We Were Free is a beautifully written, gripping story that perfectly showcases why Julia Alvarez is one of my favorite authors. The book takes you deep into the life of a young girl living under a dictatorship, capturing her fears, hopes, and fierce desire for freedom with such vivid emotion.What I appreciate most is how Alvarez brings history to life through personal, relatable moments, making a complex political struggle feel intimate and urgent. The characters feel real and the story doesn’t shy away from the hard truths, but it also holds onto hope and resilience.This book is a must-read for anyone who loves stories about courage, family, and the fight for justice. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you finish it.If you’re already a fan of Julia Alvarez, Before We Were Free is a powerful addition to your collection. If not, it’s a perfect place to start.
NA
I adore her writing and recommend her books. Fell in love with her writing when I read “In the Time of the Butterflies”.
Great author - and a great book gifted to one of my friend's middle school students. I hear she enjoyed :)
I have adhd and in my experience it is hard to focus however this book was so good that I pulled an all nighter to read (which is something I’ve never done)
