New Hope-Solebury Prepares to “Read the World” of Latin America

During the month of October, the New Hope-Solebury community has an opportunity to explore the culture of Latin America through the community’s second annual Read the World program. New Hope-Solebury High School, the Free Library of New Hope and Solebury and the New Hope-Solebury Education Fund are joining forces to sponsor community events which revolve around books about various Latin American countries. The program is focusing on Cuba since Cuban American poet and novelist, Margarita Engle, will be visiting New Hope-Solebury High School on October 13. Her visit is being funded by the NH-S Education Fund.

The following books are featured:

The Poet Slave: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano by Margarita Engle
A portrait in poems of Juan Francisco Manzano, the poet who was born a slave in Cuba in 1797.

The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle
A collection of poems in which Rosa, a healer, describes her experiences trying to help Cuban peasants who have been forced to leave their farms and villages in 1896 and given eight days to find their way to "reconcentration camps" or be killed.

Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy by Carlos Eire
The author describes his privileged life in Havana before he was sent at the age of eleven to the U.S. in 1962, in the wake of the Cuban Revolution.

Havana Fever by Leonardo Padura
Mario Conde, who became an antique book trader after he retired as a police officer, is drawn into an investigation when a murder takes place shortly after he finds an article in a rich Cuban's book collection about a beautiful bolero singer who disappeared in the 1950’s.

My Havana by Rosemary Wells
For younger readers; A picture book which relates events in the childhood of architect Secundino Fernandez, who left his beloved Havana, Cuba, with his parents, first to spend a year in Spain, and later to move to New York City.

Other recommended books on various Latin America countries can be found on the “Read the World” website.

The community is invited to participate in the following presentations which explore the cultural diversity of Latin America. The events are free and open to the public.

Wednesday, October 13
7:00pm in the Stephen J. Buck Auditorium at New Hope-Solebury High School
Cuban American poet and novelist, Margarita Engle, speaks about Cuba and its culture.

Monday, October 25
7:00pm in the Stephen J Buck Auditorium at New Hope-Solebury High School
Bob Krist of National Geographic takes us on tour of Latin America through his wonderful photographs

Thursday, October 28
7:00pm in the New Hope-Solebury High School Cafeteria
Mexican Fiesta Dancing: Day of the Dead demonstration. Via video conference, a professional dancer will be demonstrating various dances and inviting participants to learn some dance steps.

Further information can be found at http://www.nhs-read-the-world.com/ or by emailing or calling Mary Schwander, NH-S High School librarian, 215-862-2028. Donation information for the NH-S Education Fund can be found at http://www.nhsedfund.org/.