In The Shadow Of The Alamo

In the Shadow of the Alamo

Fifteen-year-old Lorenzo Bonifacio never intended to be a soldier. But when the soldados raid his tiny Mexican village, Lorenzo finds himself forced to join General Santa Anna's army . . . all because of the pesky goatherd Catalina and the haughty Esteban Equivel, son of the wealthiest landowner in the region.Taken under wing by the kind Sergeant Ildefonso, Lorenzo and Esteban endure boredom, exhaustion, and hunger as the army makes its way across Mexico to San Antonio de Bexar, where rebellious norte-americanos have barricaded themselves inside an old mission called El Alamo. Neither boy can imagine what lies at the end of the march--defeat, death, glory?--and neither can accept the price paid during the fight for Texas.From School Library JournalGr 5-8-Although Lorenzo Bonifacio is only 15, he is conscripted into the Mexican army for 10 years. At first, he and Esteban Esquivel, the 17-year-old son of the wealthiest landowner in the region, have nothing to do with one another, but in the end they become friends. Life in the army is vividly described, and the bloody battle scenes are realistically drawn. Hardships such as the lack of food, arbitrary justice, and the total loss of personal rights are part and parcel of this military experience. The conscripts are given outdated weapons and are not trained for battle as they are considered mere "cannon fodder." The women and children who followed the men, including Lorenzo's aunt and two younger sisters, suffer the same hardships, and many do not survive the arduous trip on foot to Texas. Santa Anna is portrayed as cruel and self-centered, desiring personal glory at all costs. Enduring physical hardships and personal tragedies, Lorenzo is transformed from a simple farmer to a soldier, and from a child to a man. Told from his perspective, the story provides a different point of view on a well-known historical event. Readers will sympathize with both the Mexican soldiers and with the rebels. A book that captures and holds young people's attention.Lana Miles, Duchesne Academy, Houston, TXCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.From BooklistGr. 6-8. Fifteen-year-old Lorenzo Bonifacio, who has never left his Mexican village, is conscripted into the Mexican army and soon finds himself with troops headed to retake the Alamo from North American settlers. The journey is hard, but Lorenzo finds solace in unexpected friendships and belief in the cause. However, when the battle finally occurs, his beliefs are challenged and his perspective is broadened as he comes to realize that triumph and tragedy and heroes and villains aren't as easily defined as he thought. In this entry in the Great Episodes series, Garland offers an alternate viewpoint of a well-known American historical event through an intimate, lively narrative that engages and informs. Along the way, she interweaves details about Mexican culture and the daily life of the times, some Spanish terms, and historical background. Lorenzo's character growth and development are realistically and sympathetically portrayed in a story that illuminates the impact of war across class and cultural boundaries. Some sources are noted at the back, and a glossary is appended. Shelle RosenfeldCopyright