The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano, written by Margarita Engle, and illustrated by Sean Qualls, is the winner of the 2008 Pura Belpré Award for text. This is a sad but hopeful story written in verse to represent the poetic genius of Juan Manzano, who was a slave in Cuba from 1797 to 1837, more than half his life. He could memorize and recite any poem, verse, or psalm that he heard, and taught himself to read and write and to compose his own poetry. He also learned various trades while enslaved such as cooking, painting, and sewing. He was frequently beaten for little or no reason at all. But he survived and finally escaped. I was touched and saddened to read about this great man, who I learned inspired many people with his poetry and writings.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
The Poet Slave of Cuba
The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano, written by Margarita Engle, and illustrated by Sean Qualls, is the winner of the 2008 Pura Belpré Award for text. This is a sad but hopeful story written in verse to represent the poetic genius of Juan Manzano, who was a slave in Cuba from 1797 to 1837, more than half his life. He could memorize and recite any poem, verse, or psalm that he heard, and taught himself to read and write and to compose his own poetry. He also learned various trades while enslaved such as cooking, painting, and sewing. He was frequently beaten for little or no reason at all. But he survived and finally escaped. I was touched and saddened to read about this great man, who I learned inspired many people with his poetry and writings.
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