Frankie Mederos is a child growing up in Cuba when Fidel
Castro overthrows the government and begins the process of
destroying businesses, families and lifestyles of the Cuban
people. Frankie's grandfather Abuelo teaches him how
powerful nature can be, and that knowledge serves Frankie
well on many occasions.
THE BOY WHO SAID NO begins Frankie's story when he is just
a lad. Frankie is taken from his family several times at
the government's whim. He is drafted into the Cuban Army,
excels at everything he does and is put into a Special
Forces Unit.
Frankie falls in love with Magda, a girl from a wealthier
family than Frankie's, but she is crazy about him too. When
Magda's family decides they must flee Cuba, her father
encourages Frankie to leave the Army and make his own
escape. Frankie's attempts to escape fail twice before he
deserts the Army for good. He is now a wanted man on the
run. Frankie hides out for months waiting for a boat to
take him to America, freedom and his beloved Magda. Will
this ever become a reality for Frankie?
Patti Sheehy interviewed Frank Mederos personally to
write this incredible story of his life. She paints a
vivid, yet horrifying, picture of the atrocities and
treatment Frankie and many others received at the hands of
this dictator. THE BOY WHO SAID NO is riveting and
inspiring. Frankie lost his childhood, as many Cubans lost
their freedoms, and the country lost its culture. Frankie
always holds on to hope, no matter what obstacles come his
way. His story spans the 1950s and '60s when the Cold War
was raging and is a wonderful accounting of a man driven by
love and perseverance to overcome many trials. If you enjoy
history and want some inspiration to go along with it,
you'll be engaged from beginning to end. I highly recommend
THE BOY WHO SAID NO and look forward to the promised sequel.
As a boy, Frank Mederos grandfather teaches him to fish,
to navigate the seas and to think for himself, much-needed
skills under the new Castro regime. When Frank is drafted
into the army, he is soon promoted to the Special Forces,
where he is privy to top military secrets. But young Frank
has no sympathy for Fidel. He thirsts for freedom and longs
to join his girlfriend who has left Cuba for America. Frank
yearns to defect, but his timing couldn’t be worse.
After two unsuccessful escape attempts, Frank learns that
the departure of the next available boat conflicts with
upcoming military exercises. If he stays, he will miss the
boat. If he doesn’t, he will be the object of a
massive manhunt. Problems abound: How will Frank escape the
army base without being seen? Where will he hide until the
boat comes? How can he outwit his commanding officer? And
how can he elude hundreds of soldiers ordered to bring him
back dead or alive?