Author: Antonio Skarmeta
Author Website: No Author Website
Illustrator: Alfonso Ruano
Illustrator Website: No Illustrator Website
Media Used: Color painting
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Year of Publication: 1998
ISBN: 0888993900
Annotation: Young Pedro lives to play soccer but his life is impacted when his friend’s father is imprisoned and Pedro becomes aware of life in a dictatorship. He becomes a quick study when he has to write a government mandated composition.
Personal Reaction: This book gives the reader a look at unknown worlds of immigrants. Many times assumptions are made or not made about how an immigrant’s life was in their home country. Once we find out the truth often our conceptions are proven wrong. I think this book serves as a good reminder for all readers that another person’s life often is not how we think it is and that people who choose to come to our country often come to escape far worse conditions. Also, it is a reminder that children can be far more perceptive than we think. This title certainly could be used in a social studies class or cultural differences course.
Illustration: The color paintings are muted and simple. They serve to highlight the narrative. The illustrator has chosen to show the friend’s father being taken away by the soldiers but being dragged as the text states. The soldier that comes to the school is the dominant figure and there is tension in the picture but it is not overwhelming frightening. He has kept the colors understated but still is able to convey the storyline. There is a page of back matter discussing life in a dictatorship.
Use of Media: The colors and depictions are understated but still are able to convey the storyline. Ruana has aptly shown the severity of this type of society.
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