90 Miles to Havana

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“One Year Later”

In this creative writing project, students explore what Julian’s life in Connecticut one year into the future might be like.

The story ends with Julian reunited with most of his family in Connecticut in 1961. Imagine that you are writing the next chapter of this novel, which begins one year in the future. Reflect on the following questions, taking notes and jotting ideas for a brief next chapter in Julian’s story:

• What challenges would young Julian experience during that time, in his family, in the US, as well as in the development of his identity?
• What would be his major concerns?
• What is his day-to-day home life like?
• Is he reunited with his father?

Draft a brief chapter of 2-3 pages in first-person narration that reveals the answer to at least 2 of these questions. Be sure to think about Julian’s characterization in the novel and strive to represent him accurately in your writing.

Teaching Suggestion: This activity might be used as an opportunity to introduce/review essential story elements such as protagonists, antagonists, setting, climax, and others.