This book is about the authors chaotic childhood in Puerto Rico and then her move to Brooklyn, New York. She writes about her journey through the public school system, the prestigious High School of Performing Arts and attending Harvard University on a scholarship. I felt drawn into her story as she wrote about being caught in the agonizing web of dual identities, an experience many immigrants to America face. This excellent coming of age autobiography is written by a producer of documentary and education films. Esmeralda Santiago has also written for the New York Times, the Boston Globe and many mass market magazines like Good Housekeeping and Home and Gardens. I found her writing to be very engaging. This book is highly recommended for the readers interested in the immigrant experince and for the educators. There is an excellent movie verson of the sequal to WHEN I WAS PUERTO RICAN called ALMOST A WOMAN.

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I read this a long while back, but I still remember my over all impresion of the book as being a wonderfully enlightening read. The author has a very readable style and you really " go with her" in her rememberances of a childhood in P.R. Very warm, very honest writing.

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I recently visited Puerto Rico so really enjoyed this book. Lots of insight into her life and changes when moving from country to city and then to another country.

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Born in 1952 in Pennsylvania of Puerto Rican parents, I could relate to the author's story in reverse. It wasn't until I visited Puerto Rico in mid70s and saw and felt its beauty and culture thru my mind, body and soul that I can appreciate this wonderful book. I too spent time in NYC with relatives when my mother had to return for family emergencies/deaths.


's. Santiago writes so vividly that I felt like a fly on the walls of the varies places she transported me to, I could taste all the foods & desserts, I could smell all the scents of the native bushes, flowers, fruits & vegetables as well as El Mangle.


In the 60s it was so true being of mixed cultures.....
You never fit in either one! And being the eldest, you were EXPECTED to set the example for the rest of your siblings. Education was the way up and out. Esmeralda also hits it on the head when she says we were the family/neighborhood interpreters.

I recommend this book to all generational families as well as required reading for Diversity Classes. THEN maybe people will learn that we ALL go thru the same things NO MATTER what country, religion, money we come from ---- WE ARE ALL THE SAME!!!

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Great book! This author is fabulous in her description of life as a child in Puerto Rico.

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This book was a great read, A story about the authors childhood growin up in Puerto Rico then moving to NY. Being from Puerto Rico myself I found it so easy to relate to some things and it brought back many memories.

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