Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba by Margarita Engle

Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba by Margarita Engle is about Daniel, a young Jewish boy sent alone by his family on a ship to Cuba to escape the Nazis. Daniel finds that Cuba is not very welcoming to the refugees. In fact, the only two people who seem to be kind to him are David, an old man, and Paloma, the daughter of one of the richest and most powerful men in Cuba. Paloma's father is the one who decides how much to charge in "fees" for refugees to be able to enter Cuba. It's his decisions that determine whether the refugees will be allowed to leave the ships and live in Cuba, or will be turned away and have to go back to Europe. Cuba was the last hope for many of these refugees. Paloma is determined to help them, however, by offering them kindness, food, and even a safe place to hide up in her dovecote ( a tower where she keeps doves). Daniel struggles with the realization that his family is probably never going to join him in Cuba, but overcomes his sadness when he finds a young boy named Daniel, his namesake, to take under his wing.

This was an interesting story. I didn't realize that so many Holocaust refugees ended up in Cuba. I also had no idea that Cuba was the last stop (after other North American countries) for the refugees and that they were sent back to Europe if Cuba wouldn't accept them. This story is told in free verse through the eyes of Daniel, David, Paloma, and sometimes even Paloma's cruel father. I really enjoyed this story and learned a lot about a part of history I didn't know much about before. I recommended this book to a student immediately after finishing it, and she's really enjoying it, too!