Title: When the Mapou Sings by Nadine Pinede
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Genre: Free verse poetry, Historical Fiction, Young adult
Themes: Coming of age, Self-discovery. Love and loss, Women’s rights, Freedom
Culture: Haitian

Friendship, Love, and Joy

When the mapou sings….laughter and joy flow
When the mapou sings….secrets are revealed
When the mapou sings….lives are saved
When the mapou sings….it welcomes you home
When the mapou sings….it shows you the way

What takes many a lifetime to learn and understand, Lucille discovers womanhood, the way the world truly works, and finds her purpose in life in a matter of a few short years. Rooted in the lessor known but pivotal years of Haiti’s newfound independence of the 1930’s, Lucille navigates corruption, class division, racism and love to find her voice and speak her truth. When the Mapou Sings by Nadine Pinede examines not only the growth of Lucille but also the rights of women to spotlight lessons in perseverance and determination.

I truly enjoyed this verse novel written in narrative poetry that gave true beauty and light to Lucille’s story. I was captivated by Lucille’s personal narrative; a page turning plot that emersed me into Lucille’s life and 1930’s Haiti. Pinede breathes life into Lucille; giving her a voice when little information is available about her actual life.

Historical fiction is storytelling anchored in the past; Pinede deep dives into Haiti’s history during one of the most crucial time periods in its history. From Katherine Dunham to Zora Neale Hurston, pivotal black historical figures grace the pages of Pinede’s verse novel who provide guidance to Lucille as she navigates tumultuous times in Haiti.

Perfect for readers of black historical fiction, When the Mapou Sings by Nadine Pinede brings to light loss, love, and joy through the eyes of Lucille as she navigates the trials and tribulations of girlhood.

History is a song that enriches us all as more voices are included

A big thank you to Colored Pages Book Tours, Nadine Pinede, and Candlewick Press for the gifted copy.