The Surrender Tree

Full Bibliographic Data for The Surrender Tree

Author: Margarita Engle

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company, LLC

Place of Publication: New York, NY

Date of Publication: 2008

ISBN-13: 978-0-8050-8674-4

ISBN-10: 0-8050-8674-9

Summary: The Surrender Tree walks readers through fifty years of Cuban wars and, thus, fifty years of tragedy, bravery, and perseverance. Through alternating perspectives, from a healer and her husband to the soldier who seeks to kill them and all those who fit in between, The Surrender Tree gives an historical account of Cuban/Spanish (mostly) warfare through a five part narrative poem.

Review: Margarita Engle has created a work which brings light to the horrors of Cuban life in the 19^th century but she does so in a way which also conveys the beauty of those, such as “Rosa la Bayamesa”, who never strayed from their beliefs during seemingly hopeless times. Free of rhyme but certainly not rhythm, this novel in verse gently rocks the reader from page to page allowing them to feel every move the current character is making. The dance between “Rosa” and “Lieutenant Death” is perfectly portrayed through their alternating narratives which allow readers the comfort of choosing sides fully.

The language used to convey emotion felt by Rosa and her husband, “José”, regarding the work they were doing is poignant and leaves readers feeling as though they, too, are struggling with the fatigue that “helpless people,/all depending on us,/ seventeen lives, blessings, burdens” can bring. Silvia, the persona created by Engle to portray the many who had no voice, delivers powerful imagery as she stares “at the forts/ with holes in the wood/ that look like eyes—/ holes for the guns/ of soldiers/ who watch us/ day and night” in the camp she was sent to.

From silent scampers to explosive entrances, The Surrender Tree delicately reveals the human struggles any war will bring to individuals on both sides of the line, and the sad realization that when it’s all said and done no one is free from the destruction that has been left behind.

Awards/Recognitions:

Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature, 2009 Winner United States
Claudia Lewis Award, 2009 Winner United States
Cybil Award, 2008 Finalist Poetry United States
Jane Addams Children's Book Award, 2009 Winner Older Children United States
John Newbery Medal, 2009 Honor Book United States
Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, 2009 Honor Book United States
Pura Belpre Award, 2009 Winner Author United States

Margarita Engle is noted as “The author [who] has the ability to weave a story filled with tension that finds victory over Spanish rule but no real freedom” (Library Media Connection, 12/2010).

Engle’s collection “convey[s] the fierce desire of the Cuban people to be free. Young readers will come away inspired by these portraits of courageous ordinary people” (Kirkus Reviews, 03/2008).

Related Materials:

Official Site of Margarita Engle: http://margaritaengle.com/

Kids guide to Cuba: http://www.cubacuban.com/kids/index.shtml

Other books by Henry Holt and Company: http://us.macmillan.com/HoltYoungReaders.aspx