Rhythms That Speak

A powerful exploration of identity, heritage, and belonging through the eyes of an eleven-year-old girl The summer Vicki turns eleven, her mother surprises her with plane tickets to Puerto Rico. Born in New York, Vicki has grown up with the island all around her-in her mother’s stories, in the music and Spanish that fill their home. She visited Puerto Rico once, but those childhood memories have faded. This time, she’s old enough to really see it. Vicki falls in love with Puerto Rico: with cousins who become friends overnight, family fiestas, and the pandereta she begins to play. Abuela tells her about the Taíno and African ancestors who shaped the island and the events that pushed Vicki’s mother to leave. Then on a family outing, she finds herself in the middle of a spirited protest to protect Puerto Rico’s shores. But one question keeps following her: Is she Puerto Rican enough? In Puerto Rico, her shaky Spanish makes her feel like an outsider. Back in New York, she’s often told she’s too Puerto Rican. So what does it mean to be Puerto Rican? This summer, Vicki seeks her own answer.