The red umbrella

Based on the true story of Operation Pedro Pan, "The Red Umbrella" follows fourteen-year-old Lucía Álvarez as her comfortable life in 1961 Cuba is shattered by Castro's revolution. When her parents make the heart-wrenching decision to send Lucía and her younger brother Frankie to the United States alone—hoping to reunite with them soon—she must leave behind everything familiar: her home, her friends, and the security of her family. Armed with little more than hope and resilience, Lucía embarks on a journey that will test her courage and redefine what home truly means. This coming-of-age story explores themes of family, sacrifice, identity, and the immigrant experience through the eyes of a young girl caught between two worlds. Gonzalez draws from her own family's history to craft an intimate portrait of the thousands of Cuban children sent away by parents who believed it was their only chance at freedom. The novel resonates with readers through its authentic depiction of loss and adaptation, while ultimately celebrating the strength of the human spirit and the enduring bonds of family. It's a powerful introduction to an often-overlooked chapter of history that remains relevant to contemporary conversations about immigration and belonging.