The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano: a Puerto Rican voices & activism tale

The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano is a middle grades, historical fiction novel set in Harlem, New York in 1969.  It's a Pura Belpre Award Honor Book and it was awarded to Manzano, "a Latina author whose work best portrays the Latino cultural experience in a work of literature for children or youth."  I learned a great deal about Puerto Rican history and how their experiences on the island shaped their community in Harlem. A story of truth, pride and forgiveness that will stay with readers long after they finish the last page.

Evelyn, a teenager who lives with her Mami and step-dad in El Barrio in east Harlem is figuring out who she wants to be.  Maybe going by her middle name instead of Rosa will help her stand out.  When her estranged abeula comes to stay with them Evelyn's shocked by her appearance, demeanor and attitude--she's so different than her mami!  Evelyn learns secrets about her family in Puerto Rico and starts to get involved in the Young Lords' activism to be treated better in their community.  Evelyn says, "...I did get this: that it wasn't just us Puerto Ricans who lived in a culture that didn't like us and that other people in the world lived in the same situation."

I loved the character of Maria on Sesame Street so when I learned that the actress who plays her, Sonia Manzano, wrote this novel, I knew I had to read it.  What stood out to me was Puerto Rico's history, like the nationalists who wanted the island to be apart from the U.S., how during the Great Depression it was even worse for people on the island, and how people in the U.S. who were born here but are Puerto Rican are called, "Nuyorican." Adults will enjoy the book with famous cameos by other well-known Americans and the musical references to Pepe y Flora may get their music playing while reading this story:

Manzano includes resources more details about this time in history in her Author's Note and explains that the Spanish words and Spanglish that are used in the book are regional phrases and what her family used to say.  For readers who want to learn more about this time in history, a list of resources for further reading is provided.  There is also an Educator's Guide for teaching this book with students and it gives more background on Manzano and what brought her to write this novel.