When I Was Puerto Rican

Another journey of life story, this time following the journey of Esmeralda (Negi) Santiago as a young child through her early teenage years.  When I Was Puerto Rican is a heartwarming tale that starts when Negi lives with her mother and father (when he decides to come home).  The reader learns first-hand the brutal conditions that an ever-growing family faces, 11 children by the end of the book, that Negi is asked to assist as her mom desperately tries to improve the family situation.  Negi’s mom finally takes her and a few of the children to New York City in hopes of changing their misfortunes by living the American Dream, hard work and education.  This true life story is an inspiration and demonstrates what America can be for those who have a dream, a desire to improve, and conviction to make it happen.  Esmeralda does that, and more.  She attends a NYC Performing Arts High School, hmmm which one could that be?  And we learn at the end of the book, graduates from Harvard.  One thing she does note when visiting her teacher years later, she in fact is the only one in her family who went on to college.  This harsh reality makes me wonder why?  How did Esmeralda earn a degree and the rest of the family not do so?  How can one teacher inspire one child to greatness and other children not find a teacher to assist them through the difficult process of growing up.   Santiago’s work is a great read for young readers who have aspirations of changing the world, one person at a time.  What is she doing today?  Check out her site:  http://www.esmeraldasantiago.com/apperances.php  She’s going to speak at Instituto Cervantes: 211 East 49th Street, NYC on November 10^th.  May be worth a trip….  Add it to the list.