EVERYHTING!Īnd it is not all cute unicorns and rainbows! There is intrigue, politics, and tons of action. The enthralling story telling and wonderful writing make the entire book is a feast of imagery and celebration of culture! The descriptions of the kingdom and its inhabitants, their colorful outfits, the forest around, village, the market, the food, the cooking, the preparations for Solimar's coronation and her quinceañera. The way the culture was weaved with the magic and mythology was one of my favorite aspects of the book: traditional magic and medicine, curanderism, shamanism, herbalism, all all centered around the forest and the monarch butterflies. I especially loved her relationship with her grandma, through which we get to experience a good deal of the magic system of the history. Her relationships with her families and friends are just adorable. She is smart, driven, has very strong opinions and palpable dreams and goals for her future but is not self-centered and really tries hard to balance all that with a sense of responsibility and devotion to her family and her kingdom, She Solimar is just such precious role models for girls, especially Hispanic girls. The audiobook, with its different voices and Hispanic cadences, was such a pleasure.

This book is just a celebration of everything that is wonderful in life: culture, tradition, ancestry, family ties, friendship, beliefs, values, identity, devotion, responsibility, sacrifice, bravery, girlhood and womanhood. the universal messages in this book are so profound! It is an absolute 'MUST READ' for kids, especially girls, but many adults will enjoy this children/MG book just the same, or even more! Because. I cannot recommend this a celebration of culture and feast of imagery enough to readers of any age. OMG THIS WAS RELEVANT, SPLENDOROUS, COLORFUL, RADIANT, AND PERFECT IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY! Written for ages 8 to 12 by the Newbery Honor Medal winner of the highly acclaimed novel Echo. The remaining villagers are taken hostage-all except Solimar.Ĭan this princess-to-be save her family, the kingdom, and the future of the monarch butterflies from a greedy and dangerous king?

This alone would be a huge responsibility, but tragedy strikes when a neighboring king invades while her father and brother and many others are away. There, the sun pierces through a sword-shaped crevice in a boulder, which shines on her and sends the butterflies humming and swirling around her.Īfter the magical frenzy, she realizes she's been given a gift-and a burden: she can predict the near future! She has also become a protector of the young and weak butterflies. On the brink of her Quinceañera, and her official coronation, Solimar visits the oyamel forest to sit among the monarch butterflies. Middle-grade fans of Pam Muñoz Ryan’s Esperanza Rising, will find a new Mexican heroine to love in Solimar and a fresh, magical story!

Solimar by Pam Muñoz Ryan