Leaving Glorytown

Gr 7—10—Eduardo Calcines remembers with fondness his life in Cuba's Barrio de la Gloria (Glorytown). Men sat on front porches to smoke cigars and discuss life, and women dressed in their best clothes to visit neighbors. Holidays included extended families and tables groaned with food. Everything changed in 1959 when Fidel Castro's "glorious revolution" irrevocably altered the face of Cuba. Jobs and food became scarce under the communist regime and soldiers stood on every street corner. Freedom was lost and Cuba became an island prison. Eduardo's parents made the difficult choice to legally immigrate to the United States, but exit visas took a long time to acquire. The boy's family members were considered traitors to their country. His father was placed in a re-education camp and given hard labor and Eduardo faced ridicule at school. When deliverance finally arrived, it was bittersweet. Calcines's fascinating autobiography (Farrar Straus, 2009) provides glimpses into a little-known piece of history. Narration by the author brings authenticity to this poignant story. Teens may be overwhelmed by the introduction of dozens of characters in the first few chapters, but those who persevere will be rewarded with a captivating memoir.—Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK