This historical fiction story, told in verse, is about Fefa, an 11-year-old girl who lives with her family in Cuba during the early 20th century, after the wars for independence that took place in many Latin American countries during the late 19th century. Fefa struggles with reading and writing due to dyslexia, which, at the time was called word-blindness. Through the encouragment and patience of first her mother and then an older brother, Fefa's reading and writing get better. She even saves the family's children due to her practicing! What I really enjoyed about this story was that the author bases her tale from her own grandmother's experiences living in Cuba as a young girl during the 1910s, which included struggles with reading and, indeed, saving the family's children (read it to find out how she/Fefa does it). I also like that the author gives readers a little bit of history: wars for independence, natives, African slaves, and racism--all elements of the history of the Americas. This year, I also read another book of verse about another young girl's struggle with dyslexia, but in the context of prairie life in the U.S. It's called May B. I also enjoyed it. This is a really beautifully written poetic narrative - Fefa struggles with “word blindness” (dyslexia) at a time and place (Cuba, 1912) when it is not understood. Engle’s poetry is gorgeous and readers can see, smell and hear what life is like in Cuba at the beginning of the 20th century. The Wild Book would make for a wonderful read aloud because of the lyrical quality of writing and the bibliotherapeutic nature of the topic.
What do You think about Wild Book (2012)?
I love Engle's poetry. This was a quick story, but with really beautiful writing.
—rania_16
Kirkus StarHistorial, Cuba, poetry, dyslexia-then called word blindness.
—degi
