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Before We Were Free Audiobook
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(3.01) - 2,022 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Anita de la Torre never questioned her freedom living in the Dominican Republic. But by her 12th birthday in 1960, most of her relatives have emigrated to the United States, her Tío Toni has disappeared without a trace, and the government’s secret police terrorize her remaining family because of their suspected opposition of el Trujillo’s dictatorship. Using the strength and courage of her family, Anita must overcome her fears and fly to freedom, leaving all that she once knew behind. From renowned author Julia Alvarez comes an unforgettable story about adolescence, perseverance, and one girl’s struggle to be free.
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""You can't be brave if you're not scared." Good Book but I liked Julia's In the Time of the Butterflies Better. This is a teen read but I think it can be easily enjoyed as an adult as well. The story follows the life of a family involved in the underground attempt to overthrow the dictator in the Dominican Republic from the 1930's-60's. The main character is a young teen and it follows how she feels living a far from normal social life. We learn what it is like to live your life as a child where everything in your house is a secret. It was nice to get this perspective from a non-holocaust related story. I definetly recommend this for someone who enjoys historical fiction"
— Bianca (4 out of 5 stars)
Before We Were Free Listener Reviews
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" Intended for teens, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. An interesting glimpse into a culture strikingly different from my own. "
— Maureen, 2/15/2014 -
" Great book for children about dictatorship, new immigrants, and understanding politics and culture. "
— Rachel, 2/14/2014 -
" The story of a young girl whose family has to flee the Trujillo dictatorship and make a new life in the United States. "
— Karen, 2/6/2014 -
" Anita grows up in the Dominican Republic, where they are restricted by El Jefe (a dictator). Her family fights to be free. Her family is ultimately forced into hiding and she has to experience many grown-up things. "
— Jaclin, 1/29/2014 -
" Genuine characters, mesmerizing storyline, great writing. All in all, a wonderful read. "
— Miriam, 1/14/2014 -
" i liked this as much as in the time of the butterflies. children will like this. could be paired with a lot of other books. "
— lola, 12/24/2013 -
" Very good. I read this once I decided to use it in a book club with 8th graders. Very well written and touching. I learned a lot about the Dominican Republic through this and you can make a LOT of connections to other country's fight for freedom. Worth checking out. "
— Anna, 10/31/2013 -
" Julia Alvarez did a great job on this coming-of-age story set in the Dominican Republic during the time of El Tujillo's ruthless dictatorship. Couldn't put it down... "
— B.J., 9/3/2013 -
" I really like the book that I am using it for my Book Share project!!! "
— Sey, 5/20/2013 -
" As a childrens book I feel that it was interesting. Definitely seems teachable. "
— Brittany, 2/4/2013 -
" This book is so scary!! If you don't like to get freaked out do NOT read this book!!! You also have to stick to the book because it is so long. If you read the first few pages and you don't like it DO NOT finish it. "
— Kaitlin, 1/25/2013 -
" This book is about a 12 year-old gril who lives in the Dominican Republic in 1960.Who might be about to immigrate to the United States, just like others in her family, but she's not sure what really is going on. "
— Rosa, 3/22/2012 -
" I really loved this book. I learned a lot, it was fascinating, and an easy read. I plan to recommend it at my book club. "
— Kristi, 6/9/2011 -
" It was really good :D "
— Shirley, 4/21/2011 -
" Great coming of age book. Helped me understand the political upheavel that took place in the Dominican Republic in the 60's. Very easy read. "
— Mayde, 4/12/2011 -
" <br/><br/>Teen Book Club Read<br/><br/>Members commented:<br/><br/> " Not many people know about went on in the Dominican Republic."<br/><br/>"We need more books like this one"<br/> "
— TheRLPL, 3/22/2011 -
" The story of a young girl whose family has to flee the Trujillo dictatorship and make a new life in the United States. "
— Karen, 3/11/2011 -
" Not the best book I've ever read, but an interesting view on a subject I didn't know much about. "
— Anne, 3/9/2011 -
" Genuine characters, mesmerizing storyline, great writing. All in all, a wonderful read. "
— Miriam, 2/26/2011 -
" YA version of In the Time of the Butterflies--good. "
— Laura, 2/9/2011 -
" This was a really great book based on a true story. I didn't think I would like a book that wasn't a fantasy book, but I REALLY enjoyed how easy it was to read and how it captured your attention. "
— Kait, 2/4/2011 -
" A beautiful and heart-renching novel. "
— Ruth, 1/28/2011
About Julia Alvarez
Julia Alvarez grew up in the Dominican Republic before immigrating to the United States at the age of ten. She now lives in Vermont, where she is a writer-in-residence at Middlebury College, Vermont.
Julia Álvarez vivió su infancia en República Dominicana hasta 1960, cuando emigró a los Estados Unidos. Luego de obtener sus títulos de pregrado y postgrado en literatura y creación literaria, enseñó poesía durante muchos años y publicó su primer libro de poemas, Homecoming, en 1984. Ha recibido becas del Fondo Nacional para las Artes y de la Fundación Ingram Merrill. De cómo las muchachas García perdieron el acento recibió el premio PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles en 1991, que se entrega a obras que presentan un punto de vista multicultural. En la actualidad, enseña literatura inglesa en Middlebury College.