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CUBA 15

A Novel for Young Readers

By Nancy Osa

• Born September 5, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois
• Dad came to America from Havana, Cuba, in 1946
• Mom’s ancestors came to America from England on the Mayflower in 1620
• Once worked at Burger King, a car dealership, a daily newspaper, and at a dog show
• Attended Reed College in Portland, Oregon
• Own and operate a creative editorial service

Roast Turkey

Frijoles Negros y Arroz

Mashed Potatoes

Pimientos Adobados

Buttered Peas

Plátanos

Dinner Rolls

Galletas

Pumpkin Pie

Helado

AT THE OSA house when I was growing up, Thanksgiving was a mish-mash of Cuban and American delicacies. Besides turkey and potatoes, we had to have black beans and rice (frijoles negros y arroz), usually cooked together as a dish called congrís by my aunt Emma or Rosa. Alongside peas would be Cuban-style marinated green and red peppers. Someone might bring Cuban crackers (galletas) to supplement Mom’s yummy yeast rolls. And a slice of pumpkin pie for dessert would definitely have a scoop of vanilla ice cream (helado) on the plate.

AFTER DINNER, Dad would rest at the table smoking a cigar while I or my sister Maryjane entertained guests on the piano. And there would probably be a game of dominoes played for dimes that the kids and grown-ups would not want to miss… unless they were watching football on TV downstairs.

IT MAY BE hard to believe, but I grew up. I carried my childhood passions into adult life, and today I still love to ride horses, play with dogs, and watch the Chicago Cubs play baseball. I enjoy cooking Cuban and American food and listening to blues music and Latin jazz. If this isn’t the good life, what is???

I caught a baseball at Wrigley Field.

What a great birthday present that was.!

Here I am riding my Canadian mare, Heritage, with my poodle. His real name is Teddy, and he loves horses too!

Here is my fancy Irish setter, Melena del Norte. She is named for a town in Cuba called Melena del Sur.

Contact Me

I learned to play piano at 4 years old.

Photo Ken Morris

Photo Mary Miller

Photo Howard Hecht

ANSWERS

Poodle (p. 2), palm tree (p. 3), barbecue grill (p. 4), baseball (p. 5), Cubs logo (p. 5), cigar (p. 5), dominoes (p. 5)

Got Homework?

DO YOU HAVE a book report or school project based on CUBA 15 due? Everything you need to know about me and the book is right here on this Web site. Please read it carefully. Anything that you don’t see here is information that I choose not to share publicly. Feel free to let your teacher know this! I welcome discussion e-mails, but I regret that I do not answer homework-based questions.