El Guero: A True Adventure Story

In Spanish, El Guero means ``the Blond One,'' and it just happens to be the nickname of Newbery Medalist (for I, Juan de Pareja ) Trevino's father-in-law. From his eventful childhood she has drawn the material for this riveting adventure, a story that chronicles the life of the Trevino family during the stormy political years prior to the Mexican Revolution. In 1876, Guero's father, a judge loyal to the recently deposed president, is exiled by the new dictator to a place called Ensenada. During the treacherous journey north to this dismal spot, the family is beset by numerous hardships, but their resourcefulness sees them safely through. When the judge is wrongfully imprisoned in the outpost town, it is up to Guero to make the long and dangerous trek south to alert the Mexican army and save his father. Trevino writes with authority and dignity, and her prose is lucid and powerful. The time, the place and the people all become vivid under her sure hand. It's an outstanding piece of work by a master of historical fiction. Ages 8-12. (June)