The Firefly Letters

By Margarita Engle

Engle, Margarita. 2012. The Firefly Letters. NY, NY: Henry Holt and Company. ISBN: 978-0-8050-9082-6

PLOT SUMMARY:

This is the story of three women who come together based on circumstance.  Fredrika is a Swedish guest in the house of Elena’s father.  Elena is the daughter of a wealthy man.  Cecilia is a young slave girl. The three women become close friends and begin to explore the countryside together.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The story of these three women evokes a sad feeling because they are trapped in their circumstances.  One woman is a slave and another is trapped in her father’s house not allowed to go out anywhere.  The author shows the feelings of Elena through the words used.  Elena feels like one of the fireflies that the children trapped and tore off its wings and placed it in a jar to live out its last days. 

Each chapter is written in a character’s voice.  The author changes the tone of the story based on the character.  The writing is descriptive and has a lot of feeling in it.  This story is for a little bit of and older age group because it addresses issues such as slavery and coming of age. 

CONNECTIONS:

This story could be used to coincide with lessons on slavery in school.  The children can be assigned roles in the story and read it aloud in class like a play.  The chapters are short and concise. 

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By Julia Alvarez

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REVIEW:

“Like the firefly light, Engle’s poetry is a gossamer thread of subtle beauty weaving together three memorable characters who together find hope and courage. Another fine volume by a master of the novel in verse.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review