Antes de ser libres

Antes de ser libres
(Before We Were Free)
by Julia Álvarez (The Dominican Republic/USA)
Novel, 184 pages (2002)

Anita never questioned her freedom and safety while growing up in the Dominican Republic, but by her 12th birthday in 1960 everything has changed. Most of her relatives have emigrated to the United States, her uncle Toni has mysteriously disappeared, and the government’s secret police are terrorizing her remaining family because of their suspected opposition to the brutal dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo.

From renowned novelist Julia Alvarez comes a true-to-life and unforgettable tale of repression, perseverance, and one girl’s courage to be free.

•Although called a young adult novel, this multiple award-winner is a compelling page-turner for all ages.

•The resource notes for Antes de ser libres are designed for Spanish learners with limited vocabulary and reading experience.

•The novel contains ample dialogue and is narrated in the present tense.

-For mid-intermediate and above-