Synopses & Reviews
Calepino was blessed with good fortune. After his mother died giving birth to him on a slave ship, he was taken in by a wealthy woman who gave him every advantage. Then on his thirteenth birthday, Father Pedro, a devout priest, asks Calepino to assist him with the slaves coming into Cartagena. Soon he's fighting seasickness, living in squalor, and cursing every minute. That all begins to change when he meets Mara and Tomi, a mother and son who remind him of his own past. andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; When Tomi and Mara are sold to a cruel man, Calepino is more determined than ever to find a way to save them. Will this be his chance to change someone else's fortune, or will he put them all in more peril? andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; Richly detailed and researched, Julia Durango's gripping first novel brings to life what it means to be truly free.
Synopsis
In her first novel, the author of such picture books as "Cha-Cha Chimps" and "Pest Fest" combines unparalleled research with sharp, accessible prose to create a tale ripe with adventure and courage. Illustrations.
About the Author
andlt;bandgt;Julia Durangoandlt;/bandgt; resides in Ottawa, Illinois, where she wrote a weekly book review column for children. She is the mother of two sons and is the author of andlt;iandgt;Dream Hopandlt;/iandgt;, illustrated by Jared Lee, andnbsp;as well as andlt;iandgt;Pest Festandlt;/iandgt;, illustrated by Kurt Cyrus. Her work also includes andlt;iandgt;Go-Go Gorillasandlt;/iandgt;, a sequel to andlt;iandgt;Cha-Cha Chimpsandlt;/iandgt;, both illustrated by Eleanorandnbsp;Taylor and Dream Away, illustrated by Robert Goldstrom.andnbsp;Her first novel andlt;iandgt;The Walls of Cartagenaandlt;/iandgt; was a Junior Library Guild Selection.andnbsp;Her most recent novel is entitledandnbsp;andlt;Iandgt;Sea of the Deadandlt;/Iandgt;. She is a contributor the Three Silly Chicks blog and lives in Ottawa, Illinois.