When I Was Puerto Rican The biographical tale When I was Puerto Rican, written by Esmeralda Santiago, tells of a poor girl trying to succeed. The settings in this novel have an important influence on Esmeralda; they change her ideals and influence her behavior as an adult. In When I Was Puerto Rican, a biography by Esmeralda Santiago, Negi goes through many changes based on the challenges she endures by moving to new areas where …showed first 75 words of 1163 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1163 total…Rico amid the hardships and tensions of everyday life and Santiago's awakening as a young woman, who, although startled by culture shock, valiantly confronted New York head-on….it is both a stirring and poignant reminder of the capacities of the human spirit.”, it shows that no matter what one may face in life, a person can always come out on top if they strive with all of their will to fulfill their hopes and dreams.