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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
A fine quest story, seeped in traditional tropes. Very satisfying.
Family read aloud. It was good. The kids liked it. I liked it too. But I was expecting a little bit more of the Esperanza Rising flavor, so maybe that explains my feeling of underwhelm. It’s also for a younger audience that Esperanza.
Solimar is soon to have her quinceañera, once her father and elder brother return from their annual expedition to Puerto Rivera. Solimar also has a secret—when marvelling arrives the annual arrival of monarch butterflies to their land, she happened to gain an unusual, and temporary power—she can predict with great accuracy, what will happen in the short-term future.
This is both fun, and a little worrisome, and has serious implications for the monarch butterflies.
No sooner has her father and brother left when aggressive King Aveno invades, putting everyone in Solimar’s home under arrest, with Solimar barely escaping in time. She decides she needs to get to her father to let him know of the treachery. Her father is several days journey away, and the path there is treacherous, not only because of the terrain, but King Aveno's soldiers dog her steps.
Solimar is a wonderful character, sweet, kind, fair-minded and committed to helping her people. She also proves to be determined and brave, when she and her new friend Berto travel days together on the dangerous journey to Puerto Rivera.
Pam Muñoz Ryan has written an adventure story with a wonderful main character, who despite her fears, persists to save her family and her people. It’s a story about kindness and persistence and left me feeling happy.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Disney Publishing Worldwide for this ARC in exchange for my review.
This is both fun, and a little worrisome, and has serious implications for the monarch butterflies.
No sooner has her father and brother left when aggressive King Aveno invades, putting everyone in Solimar’s home under arrest, with Solimar barely escaping in time. She decides she needs to get to her father to let him know of the treachery. Her father is several days journey away, and the path there is treacherous, not only because of the terrain, but King Aveno's soldiers dog her steps.
Solimar is a wonderful character, sweet, kind, fair-minded and committed to helping her people. She also proves to be determined and brave, when she and her new friend Berto travel days together on the dangerous journey to Puerto Rivera.
Pam Muñoz Ryan has written an adventure story with a wonderful main character, who despite her fears, persists to save her family and her people. It’s a story about kindness and persistence and left me feeling happy.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Disney Publishing Worldwide for this ARC in exchange for my review.
A good, light magical fantasy with touches of adventure, ecology, engineering/building, and bucking "traditional" girl roles. I like how Solimar had to learn to trust herself to be brave and it wasn't just her newfound magic or male friend defining who she was and what she was capable of doing.
Occasionally I wanted more details, but at the same time, sometimes fantasy gets too long and bogged down and this book is a great length for kids who like fantasy, but balk at 400+ page books. I can see this appealing to readers who like Gail Carson Levine (though it's been a while since I've read one of her books to really compare).
Also, despite her numerous books, I somehow haven't read many of them. This one made me want to go back and pick up a few more.
Occasionally I wanted more details, but at the same time, sometimes fantasy gets too long and bogged down and this book is a great length for kids who like fantasy, but balk at 400+ page books. I can see this appealing to readers who like Gail Carson Levine (though it's been a while since I've read one of her books to really compare).
Also, despite her numerous books, I somehow haven't read many of them. This one made me want to go back and pick up a few more.
What a wonderful tale. I loved how this read as a fairytale of old. It was full of adventure and magic and was just wonderful. I especially loved the imagery of the butterflies and the magic surrounding them. Solimar was such a fun protagonist. I really think middle grade kids are going to love this one.
Quick read. Girls 3rd grade and up would appreciate Solimar, the hero princess, the magical monarch butterflies, and Zarita, a talking doll.
This was a beautiful, engaging tale with a unique and adventurous protagonist - positive and a quick read
A sweet story about girl power that challenges expectations while seamlessly incorporating Mexican culture.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No