 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Before We Were Free
- By Julia Alvarez
- Genre: Historical Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Moving historical fiction about life under a dictatorship.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the author won the Pura Belpre award for this historical fiction book about a young girl from the Dominican Republic whose family is involved in overthrowing the terrifying dictator known as El Jefe in the 1960s. There are some violent details, including some pretty graphic depictions of torture, but there is also a strong message about the importance of fighting for your right to be free. As Anita's mother tells her, "Sometimes life without freedom is no life at all." Through Anita's story, readers will also struggle with the same issues Anita and her family do: Is murdering anyone ever justified, even when it's a dictator? Should they stay and fight for their freedom, or flee to safety? The book includes an author's note and an interview with the author, both of which provide some historical context, as well as a reader's guide.
What's the story?
Anita has a good life living in an extended family compound in the Dominican Republic. But as she approaches adolescence and her relatives start leaving for the United States, or just disappearing, she gradually comes to understand that her family is involved in the resistance to the island's brutal dictator, Trujillo. Soon they are being watched by the secret police and the American ambassador moves into the compound with them to protect them. But when her family takes part in an assassination plot, Anita and her mother are forced into hiding.
Is it any good?
Told strictly from Anita's point of view, parts of it in the form of diary entries, this moving book manages to give readers a true sense of what life is like under a dictatorship. Readers will empathize with her as she gradually understands what is
going on around her, and watch her idyllic childhood become
increasingly dangerous. Not only must she manage the usual markers of adulthood -- periods, crushes, etc.-- but her own complicated coming-of-age story also means coming to terms with her own family's involvement in the assassination of the man she has always called El Jefe. The story is well told, but its messages about freedom are what will leave a more lasting impression on teen readers. They will struggle with some of the questions Anita struggles with, including what would they do in her family's situation? Is better to flee to safety, or fight for your rights?
What families can talk about
Families can talk about historical fiction. What is appealing about learning history this way? What does it add to your understanding of real events? What other example can you think of?
This book won a Pure Belpre award, which, according to the American Library Association, is given "to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth." Why do you think an award like this is necessary? Have you read any of the other award winners?
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AGE
I love this book But at the end it wasn't that intersting!!!
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AGE
this is more for girls
she was pretty brave to make decisions on her on like that, most girls would be intrested in this if they have a lack of courage in decision making.
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AGE
e.g. Perfect for ten and older
i love the story its a good book to read it can teach u lot
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AGE
Before we were free is over-hyped but definitely a great book
I had to read seven books for my reading log due every few months so I chose this one. Well, it was a great thing I did. Before we were free is about many horrible things happening in Anita's country. Such as the SIM police searching everyone's house, El Jefe which is a lecherous man, and Anita's relatives are missing. While the book doesn't have bad content, some of it is very mature. For sexual content, it is very iffy. Not explicit and no discussions of sex but there are references of a girls' breasts being too small, a girl getting her period, and El Jefe is a lecherous man. Profanity, is also iffy. There is some profanity such as one use of S.O.B. (printed just like that) and b***ard. For violence, it's not an issue. Some topics deal with violence but they don't go that much in depth. I highly recommend the book for children 12 and up. There is some mature content that pushes the kid borderline, but the book isn't too explicit either.
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AGE
good for high school kids
i loved this book had to read it for school very good book
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AGE
before we were free a great book
I had to read 2 books for my high school project.This was one of the books I chose.It was a great book because it is educational and it shows what other contries are like. Before we were free is about many horrible things happening in Anita's country. Such as the SIM police searching everyone's house, El Jefe which is a lecherous man, and Anita's relatives are missing. i think it would be for people aged 12 and higher.
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AGE
12 And older
LOVE IT SO MUCH
I THINK THAT 13 YEARS OLD AND UP SHOULD READ THIS BOOK BECAUSE THEY WILL UNDER STAY IT BATTER IT DEALS WITH PERSONAL EXPERICANCE
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| Author: | Julia Alvarez |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Historical Fiction |
| Publisher: | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Publication date: | February 15, 2004 |
| Number of pages: | 167 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.95 |
| Paperback price: | $6.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 12 |
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