Secret of the Andes

 

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:

Singin' in the Rain

My Thoughts:

-    Seeing this on the big screen was AWESOME!!!  I can now say that I've seen Gene Kelly in theaters!!

-    My favorite thing about it was being part of a great audience.  I loved the people that clapped after each dance number.  It was just so fun.  Everyone was laughing and just having a ball!

-    I loved the intro stuff before the movie.  They had an interview with Debbie Reynolds, and showed clips of interviews with other members of the cast.  It was great!  

-    This is one of the greatest musicals of all time!  It is so fun, funny, and happy!  It has great characters, fun story, hilarious moments, dance numbers, and music.  You just can't go wrong here.  

-    The dance numbers are wonderful.  It makes me want to get up and dance.  I can't believe Debbie Reynolds didn't know how to dance before this movie.  She has major talent and is a quick learner.  Gene Kelly and Donald O'Conner are wonderful together!!  I wish they had done more shows together.

-    Cosmo's character was hilarious!  His Make 'em Laugh number is one of the funniest routines I've seen.

-    I also love the "no no no," "yes yes yes," part!  Cracks me up every time!!  Same goes for the "I can't stan 'em" bits.

-    Gene Kelly is so charming.  He has a nice smile.  I used to have a crush on him when I was little.

-    I just can't say enough about this movie.  If I wrote down everything I thought about this movie, we'd be here all day.  If you haven't seen it, YOU ARE MISSING OUT!!  Get a copy of this and watch it!!!!

-    I want to see it again!  I wish this was in the theaters longer than just this one day.

p.s.  They were showing trivia questions about musicals before the show, and I ALL of them correct!! Oh ya!