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Valley of the Moon: the Diary of María Rosalia de Milagros Hardcover – April 1, 2001
Purchase options and add-ons
- Reading age9 - 12 years
- Print length208 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level4 - 7
- Lexile measure880L
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.75 x 7.5 inches
- PublisherScholastic Inc.
- Publication dateApril 1, 2001
- ISBN-100439088208
- ISBN-13978-0439088206
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Gr 4-6-A story set during the final months of Mexican rule that incorporates historical events and the many factions of early California-americanos, mexicanos, indios, californios-into it. Orphaned at age five, Rosa and her younger brother were cared for at the Mission Rafael by Padre Ygnacio before they became servants at the large Medina rancho. The children are treated benevolently, often as family. However, Rosa longs for knowledge about her own parents-a secret that comes to light at the conclusion. The book includes a historical note, black-and-white reproductions from the time period, and a glossary of Spanish terms. (Unfortunately, there is no pronunciation guide.) A current map of the U.S. shows the locations of San Francisco and Sonoma Valley; however, historical locations and Baja California are not marked. The strength of this well-researched book lies in the inclusion of so much factual information. However, the quick pace of the plot allows for little depth of character or emotional reaction to the events. None of the characters plays a strong or active role in the historical happenings. Rosa primarily reports the events that take place around her. Despite the book's shortcomings, it will be a popular follow-up to other "Dear America" titles (Scholastic).-Carolyn Janssen, Children's Learning Center of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
---School Library Journal, April 2001
Product details
- Publisher : Scholastic Inc.; First Edition (April 1, 2001)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 208 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0439088208
- ISBN-13 : 978-0439088206
- Reading age : 9 - 12 years
- Lexile measure : 880L
- Grade level : 4 - 7
- Item Weight : 11.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.75 x 7.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,207,939 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5,549 in Children's Historical Fiction (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Sherry Garland is the award-winning author of over thirty books for children, teenagers and adults. Several of her books focus on the Vietnamese culture due to her close friendships with Vietnamese families. As a fifth generation Texan, she also sets many of her books in the Lone Star State. She especially likes to write historical works. For more information, visit her website: www.sherrygarland.com
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Maria Rosalia is an orphan, half-Mexican and half-Indian, whose American Indian mother died of smallpox years ago when Maria was only a small child. Employed as a servant in the household of the rich Medina family, she longs to know where she came from and what her heritage is.
This fascinating doorway into California in the 1840's realistically portrays the tensions between the californios (the Spanish Californians) and the americanos (immigrants from the United States) as the settlers to the California territory struggle against each other in order to determine who shall rule California. Those caught in between this struggle - the American Indians and the relatively powerless women and children in the area - must simply watch and pray that their lives are not too uprooted by the violent atmosphere rapidly developing. Maria's life, as she watches these events carefully, revolves around the daily demands of the Medina daughters. As she interacts with both Spanish gentry and American Indian servants, Maria seeks to find her true identity through her mixed heritage.
"Valley of the Moon" is a compelling read, with wonderful attention to historical detail and beautiful cultural touches. For parents, there is some amount of violence (a bull fight), some mortal danger (a sick child who everyone fears may die, and a miscarried pregnancy), and some references to sex and sexuality (the eldest Medina daughter is being courted for her "hips and thighs" which are widely regarded in the area as being good for childbearing). However, these topics are handled with grace, as is usual for the Dear America books.
~ Ana Mardoll
Rosy is 14 years old, growing up in northern California as a servant on the Medina's Rancho. In her diary she writes about the Medina daughters and what she thinks about them (especially the oldest), and about the cattle branding and bull fights which were interesting to watch. In addition, since all Mexicans were Catholic at that time, Rosy tells of how they celebrated the holidays, Christmas and Easter, in Mexican California. She writes about her new best friend, Nelly, and how her own mother died of smallpox in the woods when she was very young. After she died, Padre Ygnaco found Rosy and her younger brother and brought them to the mission, where she learned how to read and write. Later in this book, Rosy sets off to find out the past of her mother and father.
This book has 222 pages and 185 of them are the actual diary. The other 37 pages consist of the epilogue, a glossary of Spanish words used in this book, and a historical note. The historical note gives a brief history on how Alta (upper) California became a home for Mexican rancheros and later American settlers. It describes how the Americans took over California during the Mexican-American War, and how the Mexican way of life changed after the gold rush, which started in 1848. In addition, there are pictures in the back of the book showing chores, a bullfight, words to a love song, and the recipe for pastelitos de boda- wedding cookies! Also, there is a green ribbon attached to the book to mark your place when you are finished reading.
I would recommend this book for girls ages 12 and up, and for anyone who loves the Dear America Books. This one is very well written and interesting to read. I have read a lot of the Dear America and My America books and this one is one of my favorites!