As Cuba fights for its freedom from Spain the natives fight for their freedom from slavery. The Surrender Tree follows the plight of Rosa, a young native turned healer and Lieutenant Death, a slave hunter determined to bring honor to his family by capturing the witch healer. The stories of these two opposing forces and all those fighting are brought to life through Margarita Engle's poetry. Divided into parts that corresponds with turning points in Rosa's life it concludes with America taking control of Cuba. It is not the freedom Cuba fought for but it gives them a sense of hope not previously dared. The surrender tree may not be the easiest introduction to poetry or the most accessible as most students will not be able to relate to a situation such as fighting for their freedom but it does include an abundance of figurative language such as "Sometimes war feels like a lonely child's game, one that explodes out of control" (Part Three pg. 70). Middle school and high school students alike can enjoy this award winning collection.
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