The Surrender Tree

Engle, M. (2008). The surrender tree. NY: Holt

The surrender tree is a verse novel based on the actual events and actual historical figures in the Cuban struggle for independence.  The poems are told by Rosa and other people in Rosa’s life.   Rosa is a nurse that helps during Cuba’s three wars for independence.  She helped not only Cuban rebels but also the Spanish soldiers.  I really enjoyed reading the different poems in this book.  It left you feeling a sense of hope and hopelessness.  This book has a chronology that puts history in order.  This is a great tool for teachers to use to teach historical fiction and poetry. This book goes through a lot of emotional development.