It’s always a great pleasure for me to share about a Cuban author whose voice I genuinely love.
Let me introduce you – if you don’t already know her – to Christina Diaz Gonzalez. A few years ago I met Christina in Miami and read her beautiful book, The Red Umbrella.
ABOUT OPERATION PEDRO PAN
Some background for the story that’s not very well known outside of our Cuban community. I’ve written about this before, but it bears repeating.
When Castro and his cronies took power, not only was personal property at risk of being confiscated by the new communist government, but parents were going to lose their rights over their own children.
Desperate and terrified Cuban parents made the unthinkable decision to send their children out of the country rather than risk losing them to Marxist-Leninist indoctrination.
Airplane tickets and passports were clandestinely secured. With the help of the Catholic Welfare Bureau (Catholic Charities) of Miami 14,048 (!) Cuban youths were placed in foster homes and orphanages throughout the U.S during those years.
The largest recorded exodus of unaccompanied minors in the Western Hemisphere was known as Operation Pedro Pan. From December of 1960 to October of 1962 they left Cuba, a few at a time. The Cuban parents who sent their children out of the country didn’t know if they would ever see their children again. Many did not. About half of them were reunited with their parents.
But if you were to talk to most Pedro Pans today, they are nothing but
grateful to their parents for making this impossibly heartbreaking sacrifice.
I know many of my readers are Pedro Pans or have known someone who was a Pedro Pan. In fact, my brother was one of the first Pedro Pan children.
The story of The Red Umbrella is a historical fiction novel that follows 14 year0-old Lucia from her carefree life in a small town in Cuba to an unknown future, without her parents, in the heart of Nebraska.
It’s a subject close to Christina’s heart in that both her parents and mother-in-law were actually part of Operation Pedro Pan.
LA SOMBRILLA ROJA
I’m so pleased to report that Christina has had so much success with The Red Umbrella that it has now been published in Spanish.
I always loved finding popular books in Spanish for my mom to read. Which is how I got her to read the Harry Potter books, but that’s not important right now.
Here’s the beautiful cover of La Sombrilla Roja.
It has taken a long time to get to this point because the publishers were concerned that there isn’t a big enough market. I’m hoping you, my ever-faithful readers will prove them wrong.
Check out these gorgeous back cover quote from Dr. Carlos Eire and Margarita Engle.
GIVEAWAY
Christina has graciously offered to sponsor a giveaway and a promo code for MBFCF readers.
Here’s how to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy of La Sombrilla Roja. Leave a comment and answer one or all of the following questions.
- Are you a Pedro Pan?
- Are you close to someone who was a Pedro Pan?
- Do you read in English? Spanish? Both?
Leave a comment here on this post to enter. I’ll choose a winner on Monday, October 23rd at 11:00 am PST.
30 % OFF WITH PROMO CODE
For you impatient types (you know who you are) who want a copy of La Sombrilla Roja right away, go to this special link: https://www.createspace.com/7551869 and enter the promo code PE3M3B76 to receive a very generous 30% discount.
Please help share the love.
**********************************************
UPDATE – Winner! 10/24/2017
Congratulations, Alex V and thank you all for sharing your beautiful stories! Alex, please send me your mailing address so we can get your book out to you ASAP!
nelcy lopez says
October 18, 2017 at 6:35 pmI have a very close first cousin that came through peter pan. We both read English and Spanish.
Grace Hellsund says
October 18, 2017 at 6:40 pmI am one of the Peter Pan kids.
Entered the US on 9/1/62, with name Griset Manzano. I have since become a US citizen and changed my name to Grace.
I would love to read this book. I discovered I was a Peter Pan kid by reading another book on a similar topic. I truly wish this author much success.
Eneida says
October 18, 2017 at 6:40 pmYo soy una Pedro Pan. Vine el 12 de enero de 1962. Leo en Inglés y Español. Me encantaría leer este libro.
Norma says
October 18, 2017 at 6:49 pmI know Pedro Pan children’s like Lizette Alvarez, I’m from Puerto Rico and I’m bilingual
Maggie Joy says
October 18, 2017 at 6:53 pmI am a Peter Panner, I came 11/12/1961. I may forget any other date, but that one is engraved in my memory forever. The day our lives changed, everyone remembers! I’ve lived in Los Angeles for over 50 years. I’ve read this book in English and I loved it!
Viviana Leable says
October 18, 2017 at 6:55 pmI am not a Pedro Pan, but my father & his brother were. My father told me about his story, and wanted to share more with me by getting me a copy of the book called, Operation Pedro Pan. It took me awhile to begin reading the book, but after reading the book I had a better understanding of this exodus. And thankfully, I can read in both English & Spanish.
Alex V says
October 18, 2017 at 7:12 pmHi Marta, my father was a Pedro Pan. He came to the US in 1961 at age 4 with his 5 year old sister and 13 year old uncle. He had an older cousin who was also a Pedro Pan who get sent to the Midwest. He was received at Camp Matacumbe but my understanding is that he stayed with family friends until his parents were able to come over within a few months.
I don’t think anyone understands what my grandarents’ generation went through in those days except for those who lived it. I have a deep reverence for my grandparents and the sacrifices they made for us. I have been fascinated with their stories my whole life. It is sad to me that as the years go by we lose more of them, and the Cubans in Cuba drift further apart from who we were when we were one Cuban family. I want to pass down to my kids the Cuba that once existed, and the bravery of our exile community.
Claudina Brizuela says
October 18, 2017 at 7:17 pmMami sent my sister then 12 to the US via Pedro Pan.
We both read English and Spanish,
Valerie Stickles says
October 18, 2017 at 7:18 pmMy mom, aunt and uncle came to the US during the time of Pedro Pan and were lucky to be sponsored by their uncle ( who had left Cuba at 15 to travel the world, finally settling in California). It was 10 years before their parents were allowed to join them- I was a year old. I understand Spanish and speak English ( having spent a lot of time with my grandparents growing up, I felt like their 4th child- I miss my mima y pipo every day. What a great story!
Diane Pallini says
October 18, 2017 at 7:19 pm1. I’m not a Pedro Pan. 2. one of my aunts is a Pedro Pan who came to live with my parents in Brooklyn as a child. I’ve already purchased this book for her as a Christmas gift as a result of this post, so thank you. 3. I read both English and Spanish.
Emi Chavez-Miller says
October 18, 2017 at 7:34 pmMy mother and father are both Pedro Pan children. Their stories inspire me every day. I read in English and Spanish.
Silvia Celis says
October 18, 2017 at 7:45 pmMy husband was a Pedro Pan child. He came in 1966 and went to live on a farm in Montana until his parents were able to come to the US about a year and a half later. I read this book in English and loved it! I would like a Spanish copy to give my dad to read.
Carmen Ridoutt Pando says
October 18, 2017 at 8:07 pmI am a Pedro Pan came with my sister and brother July 17 1962 we were taken to Florida City Camp we live there for 3 years
Yo compré el libro para mis nietas
Lourdes M. Gamez says
October 18, 2017 at 8:22 pmI would love to read this book. My mom left Cuba in 1953, which I believe was before Peter Pan. I am interested in sharing my Cuban heritage with my 3 teens. Their dad is Nicaraguan, and last year we visited Nicaragua and loved it. I’m hoping to one day take them to visit Cuba.
Lourdes Chesal says
October 18, 2017 at 8:46 pmI left Cuba with my family on October 10th, 1962 at the age of 7. On board our plane, there was a little Peter Pan boy who sat next to my brother and whom my parents tried to protect and watch over on that horrible flight. He was scared due to a horrible thunder storm that mafe the plane shudder and drop. I’ve often wondered what became of that little boy. i hope he went on to live a happy life and was reunited with his parents.
i am bilingual.
Lourdes Manning says
October 18, 2017 at 9:09 pmI am a Pedro Pan. In early 1961; I flew KLM to Miami on a plane full of just children. I was 5 and was with my 10 year old brother. We were lucky and were only separated from our parents for 6 months. I read in English and Spanish. My Pápi made sure of that. I remember when I was about 10, my friend was talking about how frightened she was as she got off the plane in Miami when she came here that she held her mother’s hand so so tight. Yo me quedé fría! , I couldn’t believe she had come to the US with her mother, I thought every Cuban kid came here the same way I did. That of course is because our parents had been so traumatized that they never spoke of our separation. Not for many, many years.
Rebecca says
October 18, 2017 at 10:48 pm1. I am not a Pedro Pan.
2. Two of my uncles came a couple of years after Pedro Pan, however they were also unaccompanied for several years until they could be reunited with family. I have written a musical about Pedro Pan because I can’t imagine anything more heart wrenching than having to send your child away as my Abuela had to do.
3. I read in both languages.
Debbie Marx says
October 19, 2017 at 4:39 amMy dad was a Pedro Pan kid. He would tell us the story and tell us how petrified he was to be without his family and listening to the other kids crying at night missing theirs.
Thank GOD for this program, though. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Catholic Charities doing this.
This would be a great birthday/christmas gift to him. SHHHHH don’t tell him!
I’m bilingual, and so is Dad.
Rebecca Hughes says
October 19, 2017 at 5:21 amMy sister was a Pedro Pan kid. She came to the U.S. two years before the rest of the family. She is tormented by those memories all the time. I have returned to Cuba 4 times since then and have asked her to go with me. I think it is just too hard for her. My heart aches for her.
I would love to be able to give her this gift. I know it would mean a lot to her and it would get a conversation started because I know how difficult it is for her to talk about it.
I am bilingual as well (and, of course, so is my sister)
Muchas gracias,
Rebecca
Briceyda Rodriguez-Cancio says
October 19, 2017 at 6:05 amI am not one of Peter Pan children. I grew up in Miami & no one spoke of these heartbreaking experiences in my family circle. I have come across 1 or 2 Peter Pan folks, most recently in New Jersey. I read in both English and Spanish, but not at the same pace (my Spanish is slower). Still, I practice , and I am insisting that my children also appreciate their Cuban roots in different ways. Keep up the excellent blog! It is especially poignant for those that have left “el exilio” of Miami…
Natalie says
October 19, 2017 at 10:41 amMy mom helped the Catholic charities in their efforts to help so many families. I would love to win a copy of this book to share with my 15 year old son. I think it would help open a meaningful dialogue about that time between he and his abuela.
Amarilys says
October 20, 2017 at 12:34 pmI think it took a tremendous amount of courage and faith for those parents to send their sons to another country without their supervision. They were truly sent on a wing and a prayer. I knew several Pedro Pans who were sons of my uncle’s friends.
I read in both English and Spanish and I would love to have a copy of this book. Thank you for promoting it,Marta.
G. Chely Schwartz says
October 20, 2017 at 4:34 pmI too am a Cuban born author who has written Historical Fiction Novel by the name of “The Peter Pan Princess”. It’s available on Amazon. Please consider reading this novel. I’d love to participate in a giveaway of my book. I’ve written to you many times and have never received a response. Please contact me so that I might discuss my book with you and your audience. Many Thanks.
(Graciela) Chely Schwartz
Elsa Villar says
October 21, 2017 at 4:20 amI am not a Pedro Pan kid, but have many friends that were. Some had a positive experience and some suffered greatly.
I read both English and Spanish
Odette says
October 21, 2017 at 8:36 amI am a Pedro Pan having arrived in Miami at the age of 6 with my 12 year old sister on 9 September 1961. My sister and I were sent to Kendall and stayed there a month before relatives took us home with them. We were some of the fortunate ones to be reunited with our parents just six-months later, but that collateral damage of that separation was already evident and has pretty much affected us our whole life. I am grateful to my parents for having the courage to send us not knowing when they’d see us again.
I also know other Pedro Pans who were fortunate to have been reunited with their parents.
I speak and read both English and Spanish. An additional item to be grateful to my parents.
Iris says
October 21, 2017 at 9:06 amNo, to all the above questions. But to read and learn of something that really happened to us Cubans, I came in 67 I was 2 years old. All I know is threw my parents. And Yes! I want to read this book and learn and know more!
Dorania Mato says
October 21, 2017 at 9:11 amI just bought this for my Kindle can not wait, although I am not consider a Peter Pan, I was sent by myself to Spain when I was 15 years old in an effort to get us all out of Cuba, I spent 3 months in Spain at a house for young girls. It made me what I am today. Can not wait to read this book
Gladys Ramirez -Alexander says
October 21, 2017 at 12:23 pmI love reading in both languages. I choose the language I read in depending on what the subject is. Riding is definitely my favorite pastime! I feel learned more from my love of it than many classes I took! lol
benny says
October 21, 2017 at 9:12 pmI am a pedro pan child, came without parents in 1961 when I was 7 and did not see them again until I was 11
I know three other pedro pan kids very well; my two sisters and one brother who came with me in the airplane from cuba to miami, within 2 weeks flew together to an orphanage in syracuse new york, I lived with my brother nurtured by loving american parents and loved by five new brothers and sisters in baldwinsville. My sisters stayed with another loving american family in syracuse. Today my brother and I had lunch with one of our balwinsville sisters – we are all one big family connected at our souls.
I love reading in both languages!
Carie says
October 23, 2017 at 9:34 amI am not a Pedro Pan. Yes, I have family whom are Pedro Pan. And, yes I love reading in both languages!
Thank you!
Mercy Arrate says
October 24, 2017 at 9:15 amI am not a Pedro Pan. I was born in the US in 1966. I have read this book in English, and if chosen for this giveaway, would like to defer to the next person. I do read in both languages, but prefer English. In any event, in the mid 90’s, I worked for a Catholic organization in Miami, and had the honor of meeting and interacting with Monsignor Bryan Walsh, who was crucial to Operation Pedro Pan. I am not a religious person, but let me tell you this, when you were in Monsignor’s presence, your felt SOMETHING. Peace, love, I don’t know, but it was THERE. He was a good, good, man. So that’s my Pedro Pan story!