Publisher Description
Together we belonged along with countless others human beasts of burden to the proud Marquesa . . . Juan Francisco Manzano has never known any other life. Born into the household of a wealthy slaveowner in Cuba in 1797, he spent his early years by the side of a woman who made him call her Mamá, 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. In powerful, haunting verses of her own, Margarita Engle evokes the voice of the Poet Slave of Cuba.
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"At the end of the book, Engle includes excerpts from poetry by Juan Francisco Manzano. She intruduces the poems explaining, "His verses show how he was determined to find beauty and goodness in a world filled with hideous cruelty." Her biography in verse does the same. Powerful, beautiful, sad and moving."
—
Laura5 (4 out of 5 stars)
About Margarita Engle
Margarita Engle is a Cuban-American poet, novelist, and journalist whose work has been published in many countries. Her books include the critically acclaimed The Poet Slave of Cuba, which was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, a Bank Street College of Education Best Book, and a Bulletin Blue Ribbon book, among other honors.
About the Narrators
Ozzie Rodriguez is a narrator, voice artist, and actor of film, television, and the stage, performing in many independent features, such as My Life: Untitled, Escape from South LA, and his co-produced, self-written project Elevator.
Ozzie Rodriguez is a narrator, voice artist, and actor of film, television, and the stage, performing in many independent features, such as My Life: Untitled, Escape from South LA, and his co-produced, self-written project Elevator.
Ozzie Rodriguez is a narrator, voice artist, and actor of film, television, and the stage, performing in many independent features, such as My Life: Untitled, Escape from South LA, and his co-produced, self-written project Elevator.