Colorado

The Peerless Dulcinea
Susanna Lohse (2007) , 214 pages
Audience:
   Intermediate (4th-6th grade)
Category:
   Colorado
   Divorce and Remarriage
   Families
   Multicultural

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Emmy Agostini lives in 1950's Cuba. She's the daughter of an eccentric father who has an obsession with Don Quixote. Her mother is a selfish Southern Belle who has no desire to raise her children herself. She leaves them to the care of their nanny, Aurora. She quickly tires of her husband's eccentricity, and moves with her children to Colorado. Once settled in Colorado, Mrs. Agostini's cruel nature surfaces and the children face horrific treatment at the hand of their mother. Although a bit unsettling at times, this book has it all -- selfishness, racism, broken home, child abuse, and a bit of make-believe.
Librarian review written by Emilia

The Story of Jonas
Maurine F. Dahlberg (2007) , 148 pages
Audience:
   Intermediate (4th-6th grade)
Category:
   African-American
   Colorado
   Historical
   New Books

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Jonas is thirteen years old and he can't read or write. He is a slave on Split Oak Farm. While his brother dreams of escape, Jonas is relatively content. He is waiting for a chance to be the master's manservant. This is really the best a slave can hope for, but his life changes completely when he is sent away with the master's son. Percy is hoping to find gold in Colorado and Jonas is sent to take care of him. Slowly, Jonas' world opens up. He starts to learn to read and write. He also learns that not all people believe in slavery. When he learns of a family tragedy back on the farm, Jonas must decide if he has the courage to try for freedom.
Librarian review written by Lisa

Nothing Here but Stones: A Jewish Pioneer Story
Nancy Oswald (2004) , 224 pages
Audience:
   Intermediate (4th-6th grade)
Category:
   Colorado
   Historical

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Emma's family flees the Jewish persecution of Czarist Russia in 1882 to come to Cotopaxi, Colorado to establish an agricultural colony in the Sangre De Cristo mountains. 11 year old Emma and her family speak no English and don't find what they were promised in this barren landscape. After their crops fail, her father must work on the railroad to earn a living, leaving Emma and her sisters Adar and Ruth to raise their little brother Leb. Emma finds herself lonely and isolated. One day, Emma saves the life of an injured horse, names him Mazel and finds a new friend.
Librarian review written by Kristi