Have you noticed the great lineup of Reading Together programs for this year? I’m looking forward to “Kankakee to Kalamazoo.” Since moving to Kalamazoo, I’ve been intrigued by other places with unique names beginning with “Ka.” I always thought it would be fun to plan a road trip, from one “Ka” place to the next. We could start not too far away in Kalkaska, MI, pass by Kalamazoo, visit Kankakee and end up in Kalispell, MT, right near Glacier National Park.
Imagine my surprise, then, to learn that Kankakee is a primary destination for main character Nayeli, as she road trips Into the Beautiful North. She learns a lot on her long journey, even if some things she might rather not have discovered. Often when we travel, we learn so much from the people and places we encounter along the way. One could say the same about reading a well-written novel!
This April we have the chance to discover more about Kankakee directly from its residents, without ever leaving our dear town.
Book
Into the Beautiful North
rt-beautiful-north-map-160
/uploadedFiles/Reading_Together/2012/NayeliMap150dpiLayered-2.pdf
I just finished reading Queen of America, Urrea’s new book and the sequel to The Hummingbird’s Daughter which Eleanore wrote about last week.
I didn’t read them in order. Actually I’m still on the waiting list for Hummingbird’s Daughter, but I certainly understood and appreciated Queen of America. It didn’t feel as if I was starting in the middle of a story.
Queen of America continues the story of Teresita Urrea, the “Saint of Cabora” when she is forced to flee with her father from Mexico to Arizona. Even there she is claimed as the spiritual leader of the Mexican Revolution and pilgrims and assassins follow her to America. She then leaves the southwest for a journey across the country: New York, San Francisco, St Louis, among other cities. Along the way, she must decide if a saint can fall in love.
I knew these two books were based on Urrea’s family history, his great aunt, I believe, but I didn’t know the details. After reading it, I went to his website to understand the family history that is the basis for the story. In retrospect, I wish I had understood just how much of this account was true before reading the book.
I’ve now read several of Urrea’s books. They are different from each other in many ways, but all are well-written and compelling. I’m looking forward to his visit in March.
Book
Queen of America
9780316154864
Once you've journeyed Into the Beautiful North with Nayeli and her friends, you may want to return to the warmth and culture of Mexico with another story featuring a strong female hero. You will find all you search for in The Hummingbird's Daughter, Luis Alberto Urrea's 2005 novelization of his great-aunt Teresita's coming of age. Teresita, who was renowned for her healing powers, was considered a saint by many.
The novel has elements of fairy tale, travelogue, western, magical realism, folklore, and explores issues of gender, class, faith, race, nationality, marriage, education, patriotism, and power This book will make you laugh and cry, and savor Urrea's lyrical, imaginative prose. When finished with this book, continue the adventure with Urrea's latest novel, a sequel titled Queen of America.
At the writing of this blog post, we only have one copy of The Hummingbird's Daughter in our catalog, but more are on the way! Place a hold to be on the list for when these additional copies arrive.
Book
The Hummingbird's Daughter
0316745464