Report an issue
Tell us what's wrong and we'll take a look.
Thanks – we got it. We'll review and follow up if needed.
Girls cannot be drummers. Long ago on an island filled with music, no one questioned that rule—until the drum dream girl.
In her city of drumbeats, she dreamed of pounding tall congas and tapping small bongós. She had to keep quiet. She had to practice in secret. But when at last her dream-bright music was heard, everyone sang and danced and decided that both girls and boys should be free to drum and dream.
Inspired by the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba's traditional taboo against female drummers, Drum Dream Girl tells an inspiring true story for dreamers everywhere.
This beautiful picture book was recognized with a Pura Belpré Honor. A strong option for those interested in women's history and Hispanic History topics.
How does one quiet girl change the music of an entire island?
- Inspiring True Story: Based on the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, the Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke barriers to become a world-famous drummer.
- Courage to Be Different: In a world that says girls can’t be drummers, the drum dream girl practices in secret, determined to make her own music.
- Vibrant Cuban Culture: Filled with the rhythms of congas and bongós on a colorful island where music is everywhere.
- Girl Power Anthem: An empowering tale that shows every child that they should be free to follow their dreams, no matter the rules.
Margarita Engle
Margarita Engle is the Cuban-American author of many verse novels, memoirs, and picture books, including The Surrender Tree, All the Way to Havana, Bravo!, Drum Dream Girl, and Dancing Hands. Awards include a Newbery Honor, Pura Belpré Medals, Golden Kite Award, Walter Honor, Jane Addams Award, PEN U.S.A., and NSK Neustadt Prize, among others. Margarita served as the national 2017-2019 Young People’s Poet Laureate.
Margarita was born in Los Angeles, but developed a deep attachment to her mother’s homeland during childhood summers with relatives on the island. She studied agronomy and botany along with creative writing, and now lives in central California.
More by Margarita Engle
Why Readwise Books?
Readwise Books is an ebook & audiobook platform that automatically logs how much you and your friends read, making it fun and easy to read more. Learn more →