SPIRIT OF THE MAYA

by Guy Garcia ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 9, 1995

Watered-down anthropology for young readers, subtitled ""A Boy Explores His People's Mysterious Past."" Garcia's first children's book revolves around a 12-year-old Lacando'n boy, Kin: Readers enter his daily life and then follow him to Palenque, where he explores tombs and pyramids and becomes familiar with his Mayan heritage. A short introduction and conclusion contain some facts about the Maya, but the format of the book is ill-suited for the presentation of information. It's not so much an ancestral journey as a realistic reproduction of the typical sight-seeing experience. Everything is very superficial: It's a surprise to learn in the text that Kin is sad, since the full-color photographs portray him in fairly high spirits; his final, swift acceptance of his roots seems strapped on to give the story closure, rather than arising from his discoveries.

Pub Date: Oct. 9, 1995

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Walker

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1995

Categories: CHILDREN'S