BEFORE WE WERE FREE. Julia Alvarez. 2002/2004. Read by the author. 5 cds. 5.33 hrs. Random House Audio. 1-4000-8995-6. $29.95. Vinyl; plot, author notes. JSA *

From the review of the book in KLIATT, July 2002: "Alvarez notes that this 'is a story that I would have lived had I not escaped to this country [the US] when I was ten years old.' The dedication is 'for those who stayed' and it is indeed a tale of what happened to those Dominicans in 1960-61 who were not as lucky as Alvarez. Twelve-year-old Anita has always loved her life in the Dominican Republic, living happily among extended family in a compound, but over a period of a few months, as the dictatorship of General Trujillo and his secret police became harsher and harsher, all but Anita's nuclear family depart hurriedly for the US as the underground resistance movement grows, a movement in which Anita's father plays an important and dangerous role. Anita realizes that their lives are in peril. There are parallels here to Anne Frank's diary, as Anita, concealed in a closet and frightened for her life, tells of her feelings in her own diary. This is a heart-wrenching tale and Alvarez makes it ring true."

Alvarez reads her own story with deep emotion and feeling. Young readers and older readers will relate to the universal aspects of the story, as well as the heartfelt memories of the author. Nola Theiss, Sanibel, FL

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescent and their teachers.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code help librarian and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.

*--The asterisk highlights exceptional books.

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