When I Was Puerto Rican

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Memoir
Review: Esmeralda Santiago is such a good writer. She has brought us into her childhood as she struggles to learn a new culture, to survive the problems in her family and to become a woman (a story she continues in the sequel). I often recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: THIS WAS A GREAT BOOK
Review: Being a 16 year old biracial teen, half black and puerto rican,I knew this was going to be interesting. It gave me information about life in Puerto Rico, as well as how my mother, who is Puerto Rican, lived. It was ironic how she moved to Brooklyn, New York; exactly where my mother moved. This close relation made it more interesting amd kept my eyes glued. I don't want to give away any details of the book because I rather you guys go out and read it. It's a great book and can relate to people of all races.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent memoir
Review: When I Was Puerto Rican is among the best memoirs I have ever read. And what an epilogue! While the story ends on an uplifting note- with Negi being accepted to the New York City's High School of Performing Arts- her escape from the cycle of poverty- the epilogue reveales some upsetting information. First, we find out that Negi was the only one of the children to go on to college (so far). That was so disappointing, it made me wonder how their lives turned out, and whether they were eventually able to move on to something better. Then, we are told that Negi ended up with TEN siblings. TEN! That means that Mami had even more. Ugh! Was anyone else as frustrated as I was that she kept having more babies?! This was a beautiful account of growing up- it was no mere "ethnic" book- it's themes were universal, the characters compelling, and the stories uplifting as well as heartbreaking.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: Out of all the books I've read in my life, this has been one of the best books I've ever read!! I'm so serious. I loved the fact of reading all about how this Puerto Rican girl was raised in NY after having to leave her beautiful Island. It was a terrific book! I loved it..

Rating:
Summary: A nicely written life story...
Review: Esmeralda Santiago is a talented story-teller, and gives the reader a vivid picture of her beginnings in rural Puerto Rico, (which is where her heart belongs) up to her eventual acceptance into The High School of Performing Arts in urban New York City. Her life proves to be full of mischief, and a lot of warmth. This book flows really nicely, and is very hard to put down, because of how well-written, entertaining, and moving it is. Included is a small glossary in the back, and an excerpt from her follow-up book, "Almost A Woman." "When I Was Puerto Rican" offers a glimpse into a bright and strong culture.

Rating:
Summary: The Jibarita in me
Review: This book educated me and gave life to the jibarita in me. Though I did not grow up in Puerto rico, Ms. Esmeralda santiago gave me a vision of what it would have been. Her descriptions of the food, way of life and the emotions she felt when being "americanized", I can definately relate to. She gave me, with this book, what I missed out on growing up in the U.S. I thank her for sharing her memories. It was an educational experience and I can't wait to read Almost A Woman.

Rating:
Summary: dA bOmB....
Review: I FINISHED READING THIS BOOK AND I COULD REALTE TO IT FULLY. I COME FROM A PUERTO RICAN BACKGROUND. READING THIS BOOK MAD ME PROUD OF MY HERITAGE. SANTIAGO SPEAKS OF THINGS THAT READERS CAN RELATE TO.

Rating:
Summary: A touching autobiography
Review: This was such a great book--I literally could not put it down, and read it all in one sitting. Santiago's descriptions of Puerto Rico really make you feel as if you are there; the sights, sounds, and especially the smells are brought to life with vivid detail. Her description of her audition at the High School for the Performing Arts is both funny and heartbreaking. If you are at all interested in an extraordinary woman or Puerto Rican culture, read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Insightful and Heart-Rending
Review: Ms. Santiago takes the reader on a journey through her childhood that will break your heart. The child's joy, angst and confusion over her nomadic family life, her love for both of her oft-separated parents, and her will to learn make for captivating reading. The author has poured her soul into this introspective book - the writing process must have been cathartic for her. Ms. Santiago's writing is beautiful, inspiring and poignant - she is able to write about her life in a wonderfully uplifting manner. Although her family was poor and her situation often far below her ideal, she never wallows in self pity. It must be with this positive strength that she drew the stamina to continue on to a very successful adulthood. She revisits her childhood with joy and simplicity. This is a book not to be missed - I enjoyed it so much that I have ordered several of her other books.

Rating:
Summary: A passionate story of a child's hope, curiosity, and love.
Review: Puerto Rico. When I hear those words, I am reminded of pride, effort, and heart. For seventeen years, I have single-mindedly thought of Puerto Rico as a land of minimal opportunities, many hardships, and a mediocre society. Author Esmeralda Santiago made me recognize the sunny days in Puerto Rico. In her moving autobiography, When I was Puerto Rican, I found a joyful, passionate Puerto Rican spirit. With her wise words, Esmeralda affectionately describes her child life and the difficulty of growing older. The story began with Esmeralda describing her background as a Puerto Rican. As the eldest of 11 children and the daughter of an unmarried couple, life was complex. Esmeralda woke every morning in Puerto Rico to find excitement. From climbing trees to exploring the market, she and her siblings were inseparable always knowing how to have fun and to make the best of life. Living in their small house, her family learned to adapt to being close and having little privacy. As she grew older, Esmeralda began to understand why her parents argued. For many nights, Esmeralda cried herself to sleep listening to her parents arguing and realized the difficulty of growing older. She learned to be strong when she was faced with hardships. Although she was expected to know right from wrong and to take care of her siblings, Esmeralda was not even una señorita, a young woman, yet. Seeking a better life, Esmeralda's mother, mamí, moved the children to the big city of Brooklyn, New York. The family quickly adapted to the fast paced city life. Despite the little amount of English she knew, Esmeralda excelled and succeeded academically. She followed her dreams and was accepted into New York's school of Performing Arts, followed by a scholarship to Harvard University. I thought that Esmeralda Santiago depicted her childhood and early womanhood commendably. The world seems completely different through the eyes of a child, and she brought that world to life. The confusion, curiosity, and fascination of a child's mind can easily be found. Esmeralda's vast use of details helps the reader to visualize the setting and actions of the characters. She described the world around her and recognized the importance of the five senses. By reading her autobiography, I could understand Esmeralda's fear, braveness, sorrow, and joyfulness. As she grew older, she gained more experience and knowledge. Esmeralda's readers can easily relate to her. Despite their culture, Esmeralda brings a common experience to life; an experience in which everyone can be united, childhood. Throughout her autobiography, Esmeralda used many Spanish words. Her readers can learn about the Puerto Rican culture and learn words from the language. I thought the use of Spanish words was interesting. As I read her novel, I felt pulled into Esmeralda Santiago's words. Her realistic view on the world reminded me of my childhood days. With her vivid details, Esmeralda brings her optimistic view on life to a whole new level. By reading When I was Puerto Rican, I saw Puerto Rico through different eyes, through eyes that treasure the land. I now see Puerto Rico as a land full of love, happiness, and simplicity. Puerto Rico, to me, is no longer associated with negativity.