Families who loved The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the weight of global conflict or asking how a single person can maintain their humanity in a world that feels increasingly divided. Through the true historical figure of Rosa la Bayamesa, a healer in 19th-century Cuba, this verse novel explores the power of empathy and nursing as acts of quiet rebellion during the Spanish-American War. It is a deeply moving exploration of resilience that offers a perspective on bravery rooted in care rather than combat. While the setting involves the harsh realities of war and the 'reconcentration' camps, the free-verse format provides a lyrical buffer that makes the difficult subject matter accessible for middle-schoolers. Parents will appreciate how the story celebrates Afro-Cuban heritage and the medicinal wisdom of the natural world. It is an ideal choice for fostering discussions about social justice, the ethics of neutrality, and the courage required to help everyone, regardless of what side they are on.
