Bravo! Poems about Amazing Hispanics (Margarita Engle)

Title:  Bravo! Poems about Amazing Hispanics

Author:  Margarita Engle

Illustrator:  Rafael Lopez

Target Ages:  8 and up

Genre:  Poetry Collection

Publisher Summary:

Musicians, botanists, baseball player, pilot—the Hispanics featured in this collection come from many different backgrounds and from many different countries.  Celebrate their accomplishments and their contributions to a collective history and community that continues to evolve and [to] thrive today!

Sample Poem:

“The Magic of Words”

about Jose Marti, Cuba

As a child on the island, I see injustice,

so I write about freedom, but at sixteen,

I’m arrested, and after months of hard labor

in prison, I am forced to flee my homeland.

In New York, I stroll through Central Park

with the children of other exiles, telling stories

of gentle elephants and enchanted shrimp…

I say that each day is a poem.

Some hours are green and peaceful.

Others are red, like festivals or storms.

I love teaching children how to tell t

heir own stories.

Evaluation: 

Engle’s first-person biographical poems give an authentic voice to figures, long since past.  Their passions and spirit pour off the pages.  Readers get only a snapshot of these people, but it is enough to tantalize readers to find out more. 

The collection spans events and people from 1713 to 2011.  Many of the figures are artists and traditionally accomplished. However, Engle features ordinary people as well.  For instance, Juana Briones was a healer, farmer, and rancher.  She also spoke against unfair treatment of Native Americans as well as fought to keep her land when the state tried to unjustly take it.   Another is Arnold Rojas, a noted vaquero (cowboy). He not only learned to train horses and tell engaging stories, but he advocated for preserving Latino culture. 

Each person made a mark in some small way, but few were widely famous in their time (or even now).  Through highlighting people in all walks of life, Engle illustrates the immense diversity within the culture as well as the importance of making a difference no matter who you are. 

The vibrant artwork is stunning.  The portraits capture the historical figures so brilliantly, often with symbolic images like a dove, a basket of herbs, or a book. 

Bravo! Poems about Amazing Hispanics is a memorable and beautiful walk through history.  It is perfect for your diverse classroom and/or family library. 

Ideas for Extension Activities at Home or Lesson Plans for Teachers:

• History:  While the figures may not be in the curriculum, the poems offer a quick and easy way to bring in diverse voices.
• Writing:  Using Engle’s models, students can write their own first person biographical poems.
• Literature:  Discuss the images used in the illustrations and poems.  Explore the connotations and denotations of each.  Then, evaluate how those images bring out a more multifaceted view of the people.
• Science:  Connect relevant figures to the study of science.  In a study of plants, pull in Ynes Mexia or in a study of conservation, connect George Melendez Wright.

Historical Connections and People:

Juan de Miralles (American Revolution)

Feliz Varela (Colonial Era)

Juana Briones (California Statehood)

Paulina Pedroso (Cuban Independence)

Jose Marti  (Cuban Independence)

Ynes Mexia (STEM)

Louis Agassiz Fuertes

Aida de Acosta (Early Air Flights/Planes)

Fabiola Cabez de Baca

Arnold Rojas (Old West Vaquero)

Pura Belpre

George Melendez Wright (STEM)

Julia de Burgos (Puerto Rican Independence)

Baruj Benacerraf (STEM)

Tito Puente (Latin Jazz)

Cesar Chavez

Roberto Clemente

Tomas Rivera

Head over to Poetry for Children for more Poetry Friday poems.