Caminar

Writing in verse, Brown debuts with a tense coming-of-age story set amid the Guatemalan Civil War. Opening in 1981, it follows a timid boy named Carlos as he wrestles with what it means to be a man after his fictional village, Chopán, is visited by government soldiers and, later, by a band of guerillas. Brown uses concrete poetry to excellent effect, skillfully playing with spacing, structure, and repetition. One poem is a jumble of quotations as villagers discuss the passing rebels (“ ‘We must protect our village.’ ‘They have guns.’ ‘Dios mío.’ ”). In another, Carlos argues with himself as he trudges through the forest after disaster strikes Chopán, his thoughts (“ ‘Mama told me to run’ ‘Only boys run’ ”) appearing on both sides of a column of text that repeats “I walked.” Brown offers some historical context in an opening note and a Q&A (a glossary of Spanish words is also included), but the ambiguities and uncertainties within the story itself help align readers with Carlos and his fellow villagers, caught in a conflict they don’t understand. Ages 10–up. Agent: Tina Wexler, ICM. (Mar.)