The Sculptors of Light: Poems about Cuban Women Artists

by Margarita Engle (Author) Cecilia Puglesi (Illustrator)

The Sculptors of Light: Poems about Cuban Women Artists
Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade

From folk art to photography, architecture to painting, sculpture to music, female Cuban artists have long gone unnoticed on a global scale.

This poetry collection highlights the lives and legacies of eight Cuban women who have redefined art in their communities. Also includes biographical information about the artists.

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School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 3-5--A collection of verses on Cuban women artists that trades comprehensiveness for sparkling depth. Eleven poems of varying forms showcase the achievements of their subjects across a variety of disciplines, including handcraft, photography, sculpture, and more. Engle has selected artists that range from the historical to the contemporary, demonstrating that flourishing artistic traditions in Cuba have from deep roots. Each selection is accompanied by a note on the chosen poetic form and another on the artist's historical context. A bibliography at the end provides a starting point for further reading. However, this is no dry scholarly text. Puglesi's lush, full-color art frames Engle's poems with movement and energy, so that each page feels like encountering a vivid moment in time. Through the power of naming, Engle aims to illuminate the achievements of women artists who may have been historically diminished due to anonymity, lack of opportunity, and prejudice. Where appropriate, she affirms the artists' cultural and racial identities, as well as any political intentions in their art. Through this intersectional approach, Engle skillfully balances the individual achievements of each artist with how they figure into broader history, opening up opportunities for rich conversations about why art is important and who determines what art is worthwhile. VERDICT Engle's thoughtful, lovely collection is a gift to anyone who has an interest in the breadth of women's artistic achievements. Much to savor. Highly recommended.--Kate Stadt

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Margarita Engle
Margarita Engle (she/her) is the Cuban American author of many books, including the verse novels Your Heart, My Sky; Rima's Rebellion; Newbery Honor winner The Surrender Tree; and Forest World. Her verse memoirs include Soaring Earth and Enchanted Air, the latter of which received the Pura Belpré Award and a Walter Dean Myers Honor, and was a finalist for the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction, among other honors. Her picture books include Drum Dream Girl, Dancing Hands, and The Flying Girl. Visit her at MargaritaEngle.com.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781478879619
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Reycraft Books
Publication date
October 10, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF007010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Art
JNF042000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Poetry | General
Library of Congress categories
Biographies
Picture books
Women
Poetry
Cuba
Women artists
Women photographers
Cubans
Women sculptors
Women architects
Women musicians
Informational works
Instructional and educational works

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