I recently read the book, Lucky: Maris, Mantle, and My Best Summer Ever by Wes Tooke, which took place during 1961 when Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle were racing to beat Babe Ruth’s homerun record. The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz Gonzales reminded me of this book because it took place during the same year, 1961. Yet, The Red Umbrella takes on a more serious historical event. Lucia tells the story of her life in Cuba when Fidel Castro comes to power. She is a typical teenage girl concerned with fashion, friends, and upcoming dances. As the revolution begins to impact her family more directly, Lucia must bravely embrace her parents’ plan to protect her and her brother. The Red Umbrella is a warm and beautiful story about a young girl’s courage and perseverance admist life-changing events.  P.S. Some of the events in the story occur in Grand Island, Nebraska!