Title: Secret of the Andes
Author: Ann Nolan Clark
Illustrator: Jean Charlot
Publisher: Puffin Books
Date Published: 1952
Genre: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade
Rating: ⭐⭐
My Thoughts:
- Here is the synopsis from Goodreads, "An Indian boy who tends llamas in a hidden valley in Peru learns the traditions and secrets of his Incan ancestors." Yup. . . the book is as exciting as that synopsis. Yup.
- First of all, the people in the book are Incans, not Indians. I understand that this was written in the fifties, and I know people weren't as aware as they are now. I get it. I don't want to rip the author apart for ignorance, so just be aware that the word "indians" is prominent in the book, and it isn't the correct representation.
- I read this book for my Newbery Award challenge. I want to read all the Newbery Award Winners, and I'm reading them in order, and this was next on the list. I am FLABBERGASTED that this book beat Charlotte's Web for the Newbery Award. Just . . . wow . . . it is a TRAVESTY! If I had a time machine, this is something I would fix. Argh!
- The book is boring. It is dry and it is slow. I was so bored. I was reading this out loud to Gnome, and after a few chapters, she didn't want to continue, so I finished it by myself.
- The message of the book is an oldie but a goodie. It is a classic "the grass is greener" type story. I wish it had been presented in a more entertaining and/or meaningful way.
- I did it! I finished!
My Thoughts in a GIF:
This book beat out Charlotte's Web? That is a travesty!
ReplyDeleteRIGHT!?
DeleteAw, yeah some of those older books are... problematic. Even though we know that's the case it can still be tough to actually READ them and be reminded of it.
ReplyDeleteYa, it is nice to know how far we've come though.
DeleteI love the gif you chose and I love that there are llamas in it at least. But, sad that it beat out Charlotte's Web.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are a lot of llamas in the book.
DeleteI wonder what the judges based their decision on--why they thought this was more deserving than the other contenders. Maybe the message? Maybe they are afraid of spiders?
ReplyDeleteI know! Why why why would they choose something like this over a Charlotte's Web!?
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