Is this book part of a series?

This memoir is the first installment in a trilogy that continues with the books Almost a Woman and The Turkish Lover.

Does this book have a film or television adaptation?

While the sequel Almost a Woman was adapted into a Peabody Award-winning film for PBS Masterpiece Theatre, this specific book has not been adapted for the screen.

When I was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago

Esmeralda Santiago's childhood in rural Puerto Rico was a vibrant mix of love, hardship, and cultural discovery. From learning the proper way to eat a guava to navigating the complexities of Puerto Rican and Yankee customs, her early life was rich with sensory details and familial strife. When her mother moves the family to New York, Esmeralda, the eldest, must adapt to a new language and identity, marking the beginning of an extraordinary journey.

Prose complexity: 7/10

Emotional Reflective Nostalgic Thought-Provoking

Coming of Age Fish Out of Water

E

Esmeralda Santiago

Puerto Rican writer and actress

Frequently asked questions

Is this book part of a series?
This memoir is the first installment in a trilogy that continues with the books Almost a Woman and The Turkish Lover.
Does this book have a film or television adaptation?
While the sequel Almost a Woman was adapted into a Peabody Award-winning film for PBS Masterpiece Theatre, this specific book has not been adapted for the screen.