Fadul 1

Claire Fadul
4th period
Novel 3: Historical Fiction Report Format
February 22, 2022

Choices
Enrique Flores-Galbis is the author of this intriguing historical fiction novel, 90 Miles to Havana.
Flores-Galbis is also the author of another historical fiction called “Raining Sardines.” Flores-Galbis
copyrighted 90 Miles to Havana in 2010 and the book consists of 292 pages. The story is associated with
Flores-Galbis’s own experiences, for the novel is about a young refugee sent to the States during the
Operation of Pedro Pan. However, this story describes the emotion that the main character goes through
and what he did along the way he was sent.
90 Miles to Havana begins with the introduction of the main character, Julian, on a sailboat with
his family and close family friends on New Year’s Eve at the Gulf Stream two miles north of Havana.
Unfortunately, Julian experiences a stressful and difficult moment as he tries to reel in the family’s
traditional first catch of New Year’s good luck. With the unsuccessful catch, Julian feels disheartened and
worse because of his two persecuting older brothers. Luckily Angelita, the daughter of the Garcias,
comforts Julian and encourages him. Angelita’s attempt did not suffice, however, for Julian feels like all
the bad luck has risen to taunt him, as he watches the start of a revolution within their town. Citizens are
breaking government properties, furniture is being thrown out the window from the mayor's house, and
the havoc of loud sirens and gunshots occurs.
After a couple of days of the New Year’s fiasco, the Garcias, Angelita’s family, decide to move
out of Havana, Cuba, and go to Miami, Florida. Julian is sad and his family is sad about the news, but
Julian starts to understand that what is happening can be dangerous. Within just a couple of weeks after
Angelita’s family, Julian’s mother thinks that they should go as well to start a new life. Despite that,
Julian’s mother knows she and her husband can’t accompany their sons because they can’t leave right
away. Therefore, when Julian’s mother was preparing their pasture, she tells Julian to take care of a
golden pure bird pendant, which can be sold once they are in Miami together to start fresh.
Upon Julian’s arrival with his brothers at Miami, they enter a camp in the most unwelcoming
way. The camp is being led by a director, but the one who is leading the kids and keeping them in order is
a bully named Cabalo. Cabalo makes the camp unbearable for Julian and his brothers but then Julian sees
Angelita again and is surprised. Angelita tells Julian and his brothers that people don’t stay at the camp,
they either go to orphanages or foster homes and they don’t usually have the kids be together going to
those places. Just a month after Julian realizes that his brothers were sent away, Julian decides to run
away from the camp and stay with an older Cuban boy named Tomas on his boat. He then learns how to
be on his own for the first time and within the period, Tomas tells Julian about his mission to rescue
fourteen people. Towards the end of it, Julian gave Tomas the golden pure bird pendant so he can have
money for supplies to get his boat working, but Tomas says he will find a way to return it. Julian goes
along with Tomas to save the fourteen people at the Havana port and on his return back to Miami he is
caught by a policeman telling him his mother is waiting for him. When Julian breaks the news to his
mother, his mother is shocked, but the next day they receive the pure bird pendant back and Julian’s
family is happy they can start their life together.
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Historical portion:
90 Miles to Havana correlates to the historical event around Operation Pedro Pan during the
1960s. It was a clandestine program resulting in the transport of more than 14,000 Cuban children to the
United States, which explains why there were children that were from Cuba that Julian, the main
character, encounters at the camp. The location in the tale of 90 Miles to Havana was held at, Miami,
Florida, which was also the city that was historically overwhelmed by the Cuban Children’s Program. The
author, Flores-Galbis stated the president at the time was “J Kennedy,” from one of the characters Julian
meets. This significance is since John F. Kennedy approved the funding for the Relief Program for
children from Cuba to attend schools. In addition to that, the story states that Julian’s mother was afraid
she would lose her children after she would send them away, correlating to how it was said confirmedly
where Cuban parents were fearing the indoctrination that the government would take away their parental
authority.
What is the meaning of the title?
The title of the book, 90 Miles to Havana, is significantly about the trip from Miami, Florida back
to Havana, Cuba, in the end. It made the suspense and the character development grow beforehand, as
Julian experiences the hardships without his brothers and learns how to continue. Julian decided to leave
camp and stay with Tomas. When Julian had the opportunity on helping Tomas save fourteen people that
needed to immigrate to the United States, he took action. The title itself explains the major action or event
that Julian had achieved, yet this would have not happened if Julian didn’t take the first steps in doing so.
Leading the 90 Miles to Havana is not only the main action but the psychological action Julian faced
when heading back to Havana.
The novel had an interesting main character who changed significantly. Describe that person and
indicate the nature of the change.

Works Cited
"Flores-Galbis, Enrique 1952– ." Something About the Author. . Encyclopedia.com. 24 Jan. 2022
<https://www.encyclopedia.com>. Accessed February 17, 2022.
Malone, June. “Building a New Rocket for the Nation: Six Connecticut Companies Help NASA
Build, Test, Fly America’s Next Generation Ares I Launch Vehicle”.September 15, 2008.
Nasa.gov, www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/news/news/releases/2008/08-118.html. Accessed
February 17, 2022.
Maret, S. and Aschkenas, L. (2011), "Operation Pedro Pan: The hidden history of 14,000 Cuban
children", Maret, S. (Ed.) Government Secrecy (Research in Social Problems and Public
Policy, Vol. 19), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 171-184.
Emerald.com. AccessedFeb 17, 2022
“Presidents; John f. Kennedy” WH.GOV, whitehouse.gov,
www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/john-f-kennedy/ . Accessed February
17, 2022