Rosa/Rosario Castellanos Castellanos

Rosa, le Bayamesa, is an historical figure who was born between 1834 and 1840. She is known for creating hospitals in Cuba during the wars for independence. Some of these hospitals included mobile units, thatched huts, and caves. She believed her gift of healing came from God, therefore she did not accept payment for her green medicine. When she died in September of 1907 she was buried with full military honors.

Not much is known about the real Rosa's daily routines, so Engle takes many liberties when creating this story about the famous Rosa. The author recreates Rosa as a kind woman who chose healing over killing. She also was a woman of many sorrows and fears.

The book begins as she is a young girl just learning how to heal using natural remedies. She is called a witch by those who do not understand her powers of...