when i was puerto rican

"When I Was Puerto Rican" is a 1993 autobiography by Esmeralda Santiago. The memoir details Santiago's childhood in Puerto Rico from ages four to fourteen, living with her parents and siblings in a rural area. It covers her experiences growing up in Puerto Rico, including the island's culture, family life, and her transition to puberty. The story then follows her and her family’s move to Brooklyn, New York, where she faces challenges such as adjusting to a new language and culture. The book concludes with Santiago's audition to New York's Performing Arts High School. So, "When I Was Puerto Rican" refers to the period of Esmeralda Santiago's life in Puerto Rico before moving to the United States around age fourteen.