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3.22 AVERAGE
3.22 AVERAGE
I never finished reading this book. I was a diligent book-finisher even as a young kid, so this TORMENTED me. I always felt bad about it when I saw it on my shelf in the basement for unloved books.
WELL LIZZIE, I am absolving you! And marking it as "read" in Goodreads, 2013! Take that, universe! IMPLODE!
I guess it was just sort of boring. But hey, llamas.
WELL LIZZIE, I am absolving you! And marking it as "read" in Goodreads, 2013! Take that, universe! IMPLODE!
I guess it was just sort of boring. But hey, llamas.
Okay - this won over Charlotte's Web??
Not that it was a bad book - though the plot was slow - but really?
Not that it was a bad book - though the plot was slow - but really?
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Secret of the Andes (1953) - oh good another white person writing about non-white people this time the Incas of Peru. That being said this book wasn't too bad, I'm hoping she did a lot of research to come up with the story she tells her because I did learn some about the Inca. Her form of storytelling was very odd though and left me wanting a lot lot more.
This is a really sweet, if dated book about a llama shepherd in the Andes. It beat out Charlotte’s Web for the Newbery Medal and gets a lot of hate for that reason, but it’s a simple, timeless tale. Doesn’t deserve it. I also cannot recall ever reading another children’s book about the Andes so props for that.
1953 Newbery Winner
This was not likely to be engaging for many young people. It is rather slow moving.
This was not likely to be engaging for many young people. It is rather slow moving.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Argh this was a slog. How many times did I hear the word “tinkle” and “humming”? Did I really only spend 5 days listening to it? Feels much longer. Maybe at the time this really was the most significant contribution to children’s literature that year. I did learn something, I appreciated the character growth and virtues, and maybe it was the first time kids had a book about South America. But in retrospect, Charlotte’s Web should have won the Newbery over this book: it’s a book that packs an emotional wallop and stays with you for decades. And who knows how many children became lifelong readers because of that book? I’d argue that’s a more significant contribution to children’s literature. This one is just forgettable.
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Inca boy, Cusi, lives with llama herder, Chuto, learning the ways of herding llamas in a remote, isolated location. Cusi at an age where he will have to make a decision as to what he wants and where he wants to be.