Ada Ferrer Immigrant Daughter memoir event

Ada Ferrer’s latest public event centers on a memoir that moves from archive to family history. A May 13 event listing from Americas Society promoted a New York discussion of “Keeper of My Kin: Memoir of an Immigrant Daughter,” describing the book as an account of Cuban migration, family separation and the long aftermath of emigration. (as-coa.org) Ferrer is a Princeton University historian and the 2022 Pulitzer Prize winner in history for “Cuba: An American History,” according to Princeton and the Pulitzer Prizes. (pulitzer.org) The memoir is due out on May 19 from Scribner, publisher materials show. ### What event was being promoted on May 13? (simonandschuster.com) Americas Society listed a “Book Talk” with Ada Ferrer in New York for “Keeper of My Kin: Memoir of an Immigrant Daughter.” The organization said Ferrer would discuss the book with AS/COA Vice President Brian Winter and that check-in would open 30 minutes before the 6 p.m. discussion. Members were also invited to a reception with Ferrer after the public conversation. The event description framed the memoir around “Cuban migration, separation, and family.” That language matches the publisher’s description of the book and Princeton’s announcement of Ferrer’s May 2026 release. (as-coa.org) ### What is “Keeper of My Kin” about? Simon & Schuster said the memoir begins in 1963, when Ferrer’s mother fled Cuba with infant Ada and left behind Ferrer’s 9-year-old brother, Poly. The publisher said the book follows the consequences of that decision across generations and across Cuba and the United States. (as-coa.org) Princeton’s history department said the memoir draws on family history to tell a wider story about migration, separation and belonging. The publisher’s summary says Ferrer used letters found after her parents’ deaths and government records obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests. (as-coa.org) ### Why is Ferrer being identified as a Pulitzer winner? The Pulitzer Prizes site says Ferrer won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in History for “Cuba: An American History.” Princeton’s faculty page and Simon & Schuster’s author page also identify her as the author of that prize-winning book. (simonandschuster.com) Americas Society described “Keeper of My Kin” as Ferrer’s first book since that Pulitzer win. The event listing also identified her as a Princeton historian, reflecting her current role as Dayton-Stockton Professor of History at the university. ### How does this memoir differ from Ferrer’s earlier work? (history.princeton.edu) Simon & Schuster said Ferrer “shifts between her roles as historian and family member” in the new book. Americas Society used nearly identical language in its event description, presenting the memoir as a work that combines personal narrative with historical research. (pulitzer.org) The subject matter also narrows from national history to one family’s experience. Publisher and university descriptions say the memoir follows Ferrer’s parents, her brother Poly, a previously secret brother named Juan José, and the grandmother who raised Poly in Cuba. (as-coa.org) ### Where can readers find the next appearances? Simon & Schuster’s event listing says Ferrer is scheduled to appear on May 19 at the Seaport store in New York with Richard Benjamin, on May 20 at BookPeople in Austin with Jessica Goudeau, on May 26 at America’s Society in New York with Brian Winter, and on May 27 at Chappaqua Library with Huma Abedin. (as-coa.org) May 19 is also the listed publication date for “Keeper of My Kin,” according to Princeton and Simon & Schuster. Those pages are the clearest source for the book’s release schedule and Ferrer’s next public events. (simonandschuster.com)