I was particularly interested in the sons and daughters of those who had been tortured, imprisoned, or murdered–kids like my cousins and my childhood playmates. In writing the book, I conducted interviews with survivors, and I also read a lot of the history. So you see, I had some connection to what actually happened. In fact, growing up, I called them tíos, uncles their kids were my playmates. These men were very close friends of my family. He survived, but the members who had hidden in his house were killed by the dictator’s son. My aunt and cousins lived under house arrest for nine months, not knowing if my uncle was dead or alive. When they were caught, my uncle was also taken away. Some members of the group who assassinated the dictator went to my uncle’s house to hide. But my uncle, who was also involved in the underground, and his family remained. When members of his immediate “cell” were rounded up, we had to leave in a hurry for the United States. “My father was involved in the underground against the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic.

Julia Alvarez’s thoughts on her own history influencing into Before we were Free. From renowned author Julia Alvarez comes an unforgettable story about adolescence, perseverance, and one girl’s struggle to be free. Using the strength and courage of her family, Anita must overcome her fears and fly to freedom, leaving all that she once knew behind. But by her 12th birthday in 1960, most of her relatives have emigrated to the United States, her Tío Toni has disappeared without a trace, and the government’s secret police terrorize her remaining family because of their suspected opposition of el Trujillo’s dictatorship. To read our thoughts on the novel, see our book review.Īnita de la Torre never questioned her freedom living in the Dominican Republic.

You can also find a Spanish version of this same guide here.

The complete guide is available for download at no cost: Vamos a Leer Educator’s Guide: Before we were Free. The standards are not included here, but are included with each section of the lesson plans in the PDF. The following information comprises a standards-based educator’s guide that the LAII has produced to support using Before we were Free (Julia Alvarez, Knopf Books, 2002) in the classroom. Educator’s Guide: Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarezīefore We Were Free by Julia Alvarez is the selection for the LAII’s Vamos a Leer book group meeting held on March 5, 2012.

Before we were free by julia alvarez