I really wanted this own voices novel to be good, but I just did not connect to the main character, Cumba. There wasn't enough character development for me. But it did make really good use of Spanish throughout.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of Cuba In My Pocket by Adrianna Cuevas. A historical fiction novel that follows Cumba, a 12 year old boy, on his awe-inspiring journey from Cuba to the United States, Cuba In My Pocket is very realistic and relevant to today's times. The author did an amazing job at describing situations and emotions so well that you could really imagine yourself in Cumba's shoes. The book is based on the author's father's history of immigrating to the United States at age 15 by himself, without knowing English, and without having family in the United States. Truly an amazing feat!

Cumba, the main character, begins the story living in Cuba with his family in 1961. The Bay of Pigs invasion by the U.S. has failed and Fidel Castro is in charge, which means Cumba and his family live in fear. Cumba, especially, is in danger of being forced into being a boy soldier as soon as he turns 13, so his family decides to send him, alone, to the U. S. where he has a distant relative. The reader follows Cumba as he struggles to make friends, learn the language and the culture and deal with missing his family and homeland. I thoroughly recommend this book!

I received this novel as an ARC from NetGalley. Although this is a middle grade novel, it truly would appeal to anyone of any age. It deals with the issues of immigration,oppression, family and love of country. The characters are complex as is the situation which opens the reader‘s eyes to the turmoil in Cuba.

Cuba in My Pocket is such a poignant story for today. Cumba and his family are living through the years after the Bay of Pig's. Life is very hard for families who don't agree with Castro's way of ruling. Young boys are constantly made aware that they could be taken as soldiers for Fidel's Army. Cumba and his friends live in fear of this everyday, especially when they have to pass the soldier's garrison going to and from school.
when a soldier shows up for Cumba his parents and grandparents make a hard decision to get Cumba to the United Statez before he is taken to be a boy soldier. Cumba arrives sinthe U.S all by himself. He is met by a sweet older family member whom will allow him to live with her. She also has other kids from families who have made the ssame decision to save their kids and send them to the USA for a better life.
Cumba has to learn to speak English, how to navigate his way through a new city, start a new school, anf figure out his place in this new world. The story also includes so many loving, family times. Family that Cuba misses terribly.
Cumba learns to make friends, increases his English speaking skills, find his way through a new country and eventually is re-united with his brother, mother and dad.
This is a wonderful story that lets the reader feel the anxiety and the excitement of an immigrant getting a better chance in the U.S. It allows us to feel the emotion of family separation when a child come to the states alone. The avenues that have to be followed to secure a better future for a child of an immigrant.

I found this middle grade historical fiction to be sheer perfection. Cumba, 12 years old, lives in Cuba with his parent and little brother Pepito. His abuelo and abuela are dear to him as are a host of other family members. Fidel Castro, however, has taken over the country, as have his soldiers, and Cumba faces the threat of military service. To avoid that, his parents send him to Miami. I knew little of this time in history and loved learning about it through the eyes of Cumba. His time in the United States is beautifully portrayed, and you will cheer for Cumba as he tries to get acclimated to new families, new friends, and a new life. I 100% recommend this book.