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Hurricane Dancers: The First Caribbean Pirate Shipwreck
Hurricane Dancers tells the gripping story of Quebrado, a young boy of mixed Taíno Indian and Spanish heritage who has been traded between pirate ships throughout the Caribbean Sea for as long as he can remember. Known to the sailors as el quebrado—the broken one—he exists between two worlds, never fully belonging to either his mother's indigenous culture or his father's Spanish legacy.
Serving under pirate captain Bernardino de Talavera, Quebrado uses his unique linguistic abilities to translate between the Taíno language and Spanish, navigating the dangerous waters of both the Caribbean Sea and cultural identity. His bilingual skills make him invaluable to the crew, yet he remains an outsider, caught in the brutal world of 16th-century Caribbean piracy.
A Story of Survival and Redemption
When a devastating hurricane strikes, the pirate ship sinks along with most of its crew. Quebrado manages to escape to safety, finding himself on land among people who treat him with kindness and respect for the first time. As he relearns how to live on solid ground and builds connections with a compassionate community, Quebrado faces an impossible choice: what will become of his former captors who also survived the shipwreck?
This verse novel explores themes of identity, belonging, and the power of forgiveness. Through Quebrado's journey, readers witness the complexities of colonial Caribbean history, the resilience of indigenous peoples, and one boy's transformation from captive translator to someone who holds the fate of others in his hands.
Award-Winning Author Margarita Engle
Written by Margarita Engle, a Cuban American poet and novelist whose work has earned international recognition, Hurricane Dancers showcases the distinctive verse novel style that made her previous book The Surrender Tree a Newbery Honor recipient. Engle's other acclaimed works include The Poet Slave of Cuba, The Firefly Letters, and Tropical Secrets.
Her poetic approach brings immediacy and emotional depth to historical events, making complex themes accessible to young adult readers while honoring the often-overlooked perspectives of indigenous Caribbean peoples during the age of piracy.
Educational Value and Cultural Significance
This novel in verse offers valuable insights into Taíno culture, Caribbean history, and the lasting impact of colonialism. Perfect for classroom discussions, Hispanic Heritage Month reading lists, or readers seeking diverse voices in young adult literature. The book illuminates a lesser-known chapter of Caribbean history while addressing universal themes of identity, survival, and moral choice that resonate with contemporary readers.
About the Author
Margarita Engle is a Cuban American poet, novelist, and journalist whose work has been published in many countries. She is the author of young adult nonfiction books and novels in verse, including The Surrender Tree, a Newbery Honor Book; The Poet Slave of Cuba; The Firefly Letters; and Tropical Secrets. She lives in northern California.
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