User:Kimmay 23/sandbox

The novel Flight to Freedom is “a diary account of 13-year-old Yara’s flight from Cuba and her new life in Miami with her family” after they leave Cuba because of the Communist Revolution led by Fidel Castro which also caused them to leave behind Yara’s brother, Pepito, after being drafted to the Cuban army. Once they landed in Miami Yara Garcia and her family move in with her father's extended family who also left Cuba a while before. “Living like sardines” the big family must get accustomed to the American ways and language. As the novel progresses, Yara’s parents and her older sister eventually get jobs and accumulate enough money to allow the family to move out and into their own new apartment and car. Soon Yara and her sisters began their first year of school in America. Her sister's love it yet Yara hates it. She doesn’t like how they automatically know she’s a Cuban refugee, or how no boys recognize her, or how she looks childish with her hair and hand-me-down clothes. With this experience Yara prays for the day her and her family can go back to Cuba but it seems as though that moment isn’t any time soon. As time passes Yara and her family finds out that her Father was involved in a mysterious military group to attack and free Cuba. With this Yara’s mother is furious and thus begins the cycle that Yara begins to notice of her parents’ continuous arguing which causes more of Yara’s hopes of returning to Cuba soon. The school year progresses and Yara soon begins to make friends one of which is Jane Henderson who soon becomes Yara’s best friend. Also during this time Yara’s mother learns to become more independent. She learns to drive and has two jobs of her own which causes some tension between her and Yara's father. Over time Yara learns the ways of America, learns the language, learns her way around the neighborhood, and starts to grow fond of the place and the people. After the sad loss of her grandfather, Tony, Yara starts to think of Cuba again and remembers how sad her grandfather was that he was to die before ever seeing his home again and Yara was too. She wonders if every time she says the pledge of allegiance in school has she no more ties to Cuba. During their first Fourth of July in America Yara sees the beautiful fireworks and realizes that she now has two homes, one in Cuba and one in Miami. Though her dad continuously reminds her that they will be back in Cuba very soon, Yara just doesn’t quite believe him and doesn’t quite mind that they stay in America.

Characters
Yara Garcia, a young girl, who soon has to leave her home and learn to adapt to a new and unknown environment. Yara’s Mother, a working mother, who slowly finds her independence when trying to provide as much as she can to her family. Yara’s Father, a protective man, who tries to do his best for his family according to the situation they’re in. Pepito Garcia (Yara’s Brother), a young soldier, who must be separated from his family. Ileana Garcia (Yara’s Older Sister), a teenage girl, who slowly matures into a young lady. Ana Mari Garcia (Yara’s Younger Sister), a young child, who must grow up faster than wanted to. Tony Garcia (Yara’s Grandfather), a dedicated grandfather, who also left had to leave Cuba after the Revolution. Efrain Garcia (Yara’s Cousin), a humorous young man, who takes everything with a smile. Jane Henderson (Yara’s new Friend), a friendly girl, who makes friends with Yara in school in Miami. Ofelia (Yara’s Ex-best friend), a young girl, who follows her parents’ communist ways and un-friends Yara in Cuba.

Reception
Flight to Freedom received mostly positive reviews. Joelle Waksman of Stone Soup praised the novel as “amazing right from the start”. Gillian Engberg of Spotlight on First Novels added, “Veciana-Suarez beautifully articulates the pain of exile for young readers.” The language in the novel used by the protagonist, Yara, has been slightly criticized as “above her age level”.

Style
Flight to Freedom is written in the form of a journal.

Background
The novel was written by Ana Veciana-Suarez who is a Miami journalist. The story is set in 1967. Before this book Veciana had also written two other adult novels. The story is somewhat based off of Ana's and her family's real life experiences of leaving Cuba.