num_pages: 183
description: A lyrical biography of a Cuban slave who escaped to become a celebrated poet. Born into the household of a wealthy slave owner in Cuba in 1797, Juan Francisco Manzano spent his early years by the side of a woman who made him call her Mama, even though he had a mama of his own. Denied an education, young Juan still showed an exceptional talent for poetry. His verses reflect the beauty of his world, but they also expose its hideous cruelty.Powerful, haunting poems and breathtaking illustrations create a portrait of a life in which even the pain of slavery could not extinguish the capacity for hope.The Poet Slave of Cuba is the winner of the 2008 Pura Belpre Medal for Narrative and a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.Latino Interest.
language: English
title: The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano
titlecomplete: The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano
genres: Historical, History, Cultural, Teen, Childrens, Biography Memoir, Middle Grade, Biography, Poetry, Nonfiction
ratings_count: 1061
places: Cuba
awards: awardedAt: 1167638400000
name: IRA Children’s and Young Adult’s Book Award
category: Young Adult–Nonfiction, awardedAt: 1136102400000
name: Américas Award, awardedAt: 1199174400000
name: Pura Belpré Award
category: Narrative
publisher: Henry Holt Books for Young Readers