In a timely story of political upheaval and the heart-wrenching separation of families which results, THE RED UMBRELLA, by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, tells the story of 14-year-old Lucia and her younger brother, who are sent to live with a foster family in Nebraska by their parents at the beginning of Fidel’s Castro’s revolution. The book is based on a true family saga in which Gonzalez’s grandparents were sent to the US as part of “Operation Pedro Pan,” the organized exodus of 14,000 unescorted children from Cuba in 1961. The transition that Lucia is forced to make from a comfortable and loving middle-class Cuban family to a farm girl in the middle of Nebraska will resonate with many young readers. However, a scene in which Lucia sees the body of the local pharmacist who was hung by revolutionaries in the town square, as well as an encounter gone wrong between her and the boy she likes at a dance, make this a book more appropriate for more mature readers.

About her book, Christina writes:

“I wrote THE RED UMBRELLA because I realized that an important event in American history (14,000 kids were sent to the U.S., alone, during a two year period) had not been told and, even though it was part of my own family history, my kids were not fully aware of what had happened. I wanted to change that.  The book tells the story of one teenage girl and her experience in Cuba and then in Nebraska, but I hope it reflects the more universal themes of family, separation, and the true meaning of home.”

Read “What’s Your Story, Christina Gonzalez?” HERE.

I grew up in a small, Southern town (we didn’t have a McDonald’s until I was about 10) and I did a lot of reading up in my treehouse during those years.  Not that it was that much of a “treehouse” because it was just a big piece of wood up in a dogwood tree, but my friends and I had a great time sitting up there and spying on the neighbors. Then when I was in high school I moved to the big city — Miami.  Miami was very different than my hometown, but I learned to love it just as much and now, that’s the city I call home.

• What kind of student were you?

I was always a very good student and education was extremely important in my family.  In fact, if I brought home an A, my father would sometimes ask me why not an A+!

• What were your favorite things to do when you were young?

When I was young I loved to read, swim, ride my bike (I would do this for hours with my friends), and roller skate.

• What books were favorites as a child?

I loved to read Nancy Drew mysteries, Archie comic books, and one of my favorite books (which they made me read in school) was A WRINKLE IN TIME.

• What advice do you have for aspiring young readers and writers?

Read as much as you can and read all types of books.  You never know what will become a new favorite and every book can teach you something.

• Where do you get your ideas?

My ideas can come from anywhere.  Sometimes, like with THE RED UMBRELLA, it’s a story that I’ve grown up hearing.  Other times, it comes from something I heard about or found on the internet.  It can even start with a painting, which is how the book I’m working on, A THUNDEROUS WHISPER (due out in 2011/2012), came to be.  A THUNDEROUS WHISPER is about two kids caught in  Hitler’s bombing of the Basque city of Guernica, and it all started because I wanted to know more about Pablo Picasso’s painting called Guernica.

• Do you write everyday?  If so, for how long?

No, I try to write three to four days a week, but it gets hard between juggling my life as a full-time mom and part-time attorney.

• Have you ever thrown a manuscript away?

I don’t throw away any manuscripts but they certainly get “put away”.  Sometimes a character or scene from a manuscript I’ve buried in my desk pops up in something new— it’s like getting a visit from an old friend.

• Favorite or least favorite vegetable?

Favorite veggie has to be potatoes (hello—French fries, potato chips, hash browns, mashed, baked, au gratin I can go on and on.)

Download a copy of “What’s Your Story, Christina Gonzalez?” HERE.

Read “A Peek at Christina Gonzalez’ Office” HERE.

My office:

I carry my office wherever I go.  I write on my laptop and try to squeeze in time to write whenever I can.   It can be in the middle of my family room …

or in a corner of one of my favorite bookstores (Books & Books in Miami)

or even in a favorite coffeehouse (although this isn’t the one I usually go to.)

I’ve even been known to carry my laptop out to a soccer field while my kids have practice — but I never bring it out during a real game…those are just too exciting!

Download a copy of this post to share with students HERE.

Read, “Your Friend, Christina Gonzalez,” HERE.

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoy reading my book, THE RED UMBRELLA.  I wrote this book because it wasn’t only a piece of American history, it was part of my own family history!  My parents were part of the more than 14,000 Cuban kids who were sent by themselves to the U.S.  from 1960-1962 in what came to be known as Operation Pedro Pan.  Yet, even though so many kids were part of Operation Pedro Pan, not much had been written about it…I wanted to change that.

Writing and researching THE RED UMBRELLA was a lot of fun because I was able to learn more about my own family history, but you have a story to share, too!  Every family has their own story to tell and who better to write about it than you?  Yours could be a story about how your family came to the U.S. or it could be a tale about a family member who fought valiantly during a war or it could be someone in your family who is known for making the best apple pie in the whole wide world! Really, each family has their own unique stories and it’s up to you to ask questions and listen.   Parents and grandparents are a great place to begin, but don’t forget to ask other people in your family, too!  Soon you’ll have your own book of family history ready to share with others.

The main thing to remember is to have fun listening, writing, and reading your stories!

All my best,

Christina

Click HERE to download and share Christina’s letter with students!