Central America Nonfiction

Floella Benjamin was just a young girl when she, her sister and two brothers arrived in England in 1960 to join their parents, whom they had not seen for 15 months. They had left their island home of Trinidad to make a new life in London—part of a whole generation of West Indians who were encouraged to move to Britain and help rebuild the country after the Second World War. Reunited with her mother, Floella was too overwhelmed at first to care about the cold weather and the noise and dirt from the traffic.

Curious Creatures of the Amazon: A Journey Through the Rainforest takes listeners on an exhilarating adventure into the heart of the awe-inspiring Amazon rainforest. Embark on a captivating exploration alongside Lily Thompson and her friends, as guided by her passionate zoologist father, Dr. Robert Thompson. From the towering canopy to the secretive understory, from the enchanting rivers to the mysterious nocturnal realm, this book unravels the captivating world of the Amazon's curious creatures and vibrant ecosystems.

Since Fidel Castro staged a coup and assumed power of Cuba in 1959, the United States has been obsessed with this small island nation, only 90 miles south of the Florida Keys. But because of the country's isolation, the island and its people have remained a mystery. This revised edition of Cuba takes listeners through the country's storied history, its people, and what the future holds for this island nation.

Born into the household of a wealthy slave owner in Cuba in 1797, Juan Francisco Manzano spent his early years by the side of a woman who made him call her Mama, even though he had a mama of his own. Denied an education, young Juan still showed an exceptional talent for poetry. His verses reflect the beauty of his world, but they also expose its hideous cruelty.

The Panama Canal has a long history. It was built to accommodate trade and economic growth within the region. This history book will discuss the architecture, purpose, and design of Panama Canal. Know about the timelines, the primary responsibilities, and the historical truths of this very useful area. Go ahead and grab a copy today.

Although her family and friends know her as Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso, the world refers to her simply as Celia Cruz. Starting her career in 1950, Celia grew increasingly popular as the new lead singer of the Cuban band Sonora Matancera. Her exceptional vocal range and flashy costumes made fans fall in love with her.

Cuba has fought three wars for independence, and still she is not free. Her people have been rounded up in reconcentration camps, where there is always too little food and too much illness. Rosa knows how to heal sickness with medicines made from wild plants. But with a price on her head for helping the rebels, Rosa dares not go out in the open. Instead, she turns hidden caves into hospitals for those who know how to find her.

This Highlights Listen & Learn! Audio Study, intended for those in grade four, introduces listeners to the rich culture and long history of El Salvador, a country in Central America. In addition to learning about El Salvador, listeners will be introduced to comprehension skills that will help them better understand the story. These skills include cause-and-effect, identifying sequence of events, and vocabulary-building.

Pack your bags! We're headed to Jamaica. On this whirlwind tour, you'll learn all about the country's landscape, culture, people, and more. We'll explore Jamaica from its bustling cities to its sandy beaches and jutting mountains. We'll also find out what kind of food people eat and learn about reggae music and dub poetry. A special section introduces Jamaica's capital, language, and population. Hop on board and take a fun-filled look at your world.

There are lots of different places to visit in the world! Have you ever been on an island? What would it be like to live on one? Take a trip to tropical Cuba and learn about the history and culture of this Caribbean country.

In the early 1500s, Ponce de Leon was one of the most important Spanish military figures in the Caribbean. He made his first voyage across the Atlantic with Christopher Columbus and then, after years of battle with the native Taino, became the first governor of Puerto Rico. Although the story of his search for the Fountain of Youth is entirely fictional, his noteworthy expedition to—and naming of—Florida is one of his greatest legacies.

In this delightful history book, Ms. Melange takes her students through the tumultuous, often ignored origins and cultural impact of Haiti. Tackling their fight of independence and the country’s struggles thereafter, Fridays with Ms. Melange: Haiti provides a nuanced, thoughtful look at history that celebrates Haiti’s unique culture and diverse heritage. This book is best suited for children from ages seven to 12.

Alexandra Barbot shares her memories about Haiti, the land, and the culture, with her granddaughter Josephine to connect the generations.

Daniel has escaped Nazi Germany with nothing but a desperate dream that he might one day find his parents again. But that golden land called New York has turned away the ship full of refugees, and Daniel finds himself in Cuba. As the tropical island begins to work its magic on him, the young refugee befriends a local girl with some painful secrets of her own. Yet even in Cuba, the Nazi darkness is never far away.

Golden lion tamarins are found only in Brazilian forests. These small, remarkable monkeys once had plenty of space to roam and claim family territories. But years of deforestation caused their numbers to shrink. They were in serious danger of becoming extinct. To help, scientists studied the animals in zoo settings. But they faced several mysteries. Why weren't golden lion tamarins reproducing in zoos? If scientists reintroduced zoo-raised tamarins to the wild, would those monkeys survive?

Girls cannot be drummers. Long ago on an island filled with music, no one questioned that rule - until the drum dream girl. In her city of drumbeats, she dreamed of pounding tall congas and tapping small bongós. She had to keep quiet. She had to practice in secret. But when at last her dream-bright music was heard, everyone sang and danced and decided that both girls and boys should be free to drum and dream.

Follow 10-year-old Floella as she and her family set sail from the Caribbean to a new life in London. Alone on a huge ship for two weeks, then tumbled into a cold and unfriendly London, coming to England wasn't at all what Floella had expected.... What will her new school be like? Will she meet the queen?

Brazil is known for its colorful and extremely lively festivals. This book will give you a chance to go to Brazil, albeit only imaginatively. You can explore new worlds when your nose is stuck in books. You can also experience other cultures when you’re listening. Finally, you are growing your knowledge of the world and of words every time you pick a book. Secure a copy now.