Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 6-7:30pm
Reading: When I was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago
Considered to be the first of three installments that make up her memoir, Esmeralda Santiago's most prominent work "When I Was a Puerto Rican" starts in rural Puerto Rico, portraying the tropical sounds, sights, and even the poverty she knew growing up. When her mother takes off to New York with her children, Esmeralda goes from eating guava fruits and listening to the coquí every night to learn a new language and transition to a new way of living. Santiago contrasts the peaceful landscapes with her early years' turbulent family dynamic and takes the reader on her journey from the barrio to Brooklyn to Harvard. The book touches on subjects like self-discovery, immigration, and her Puerto Rican identity.
Young Reader Circle for 5-8 year olds:
Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina (5-8 years old)