Carlota [Hardcover]

Scott O'Dell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 14, 1977

A young girl relates her feelings and experiences as a participant in the battle of San Pasqual during the last days of the war between Califor-nians and Americans. "Multidim-ensional, masterfully crafted, the novel is compelling in its powerful yet restrained emotional intensity." -- Horn Book

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Raised to take the place of her dead brother, Carlota de Zubaran can do anything that Carlos could have done. She races her stallion through the California lowlands, dives into shark-infested waters searching for gold, and fights in the battles that rage between the Mexicans and the Americans. At sixteen, she is fearless--and that pleases her father very much.

Yet while Carlota throughly enjoys her freedom, she wants to be more than her father's "son." She wants to be herself, brave and courageous but free to show feelings of tenderness and compassion as well. Her father thinks such feelings are shameful, so Carlota must defy him. That will be the most difficult battle of all. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

Raised to take the place of her dead brother, Carlota de Zubaran can do anything that Carlos could have done. She races her stallion through the California lowlands, dives into shark-infested waters searching for gold, and fights in the battles that rage between the Mexicans and the Americans. At sixteen, she is fearless--and that pleases her father very much.

Yet while Carlota throughly enjoys her freedom, she wants to be more than her father's "son." She wants to be herself, brave and courageous but free to show feelings of tenderness and compassion as well. Her father thinks such feelings are shameful, so Carlota must defy him. That will be the most difficult battle of all. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 153 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (Juv); 1ST edition (September 14, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395254876
• ISBN-13: 978-0395254875
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,668,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Scott O'Dell (1898-1989), one of the most respected authors of historical fiction, received the Newbery Medal, three Newbery Honor Medals, and the Hans Christian Andersen Author Medal, the highest international recognition for a body of work by an author of books for young readers. Some of his many books include The Island of the Blue Dolphins, The Road to Damietta, Sing Down the Moon, and The Black Pearl.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MY REVIEW, October 10, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Carlota (Paperback)

This is a story about a girl who lived in California a long time ago(as in about 1846). She was brought up like a tom-boy in the place of her dead brother, Carlos. This is an exelent story about how Carlota's struggles to become her own person. I'm 12 yrs. old, Iloved this book, and all other's I've read by Scott O'Dell

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Carlota, review by Dylan Ryan, March 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Carlota (Paperback)

Carlota is about a girl who lives in California during the Spanish/American wars. Her father raises her to take the place of her dead son, Carlos. She dives for gold in shark infested waters to help pay for their ranch. Carlota de Zubarán and her father help fight in minor offshoots of the main war and protect their ranch from American invaders. I give this book four stars because it is clearly written, but is boring in some places. I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more Scott O'Dell books.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Carlota, February 10, 2011

By 

Linda Watson - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Carlota (Paperback)

Carlota is a wonderful story about a Californio family during the rancho period, before California becomes a state. It is a time of change, not only for California, but for Carlota and others living during her time. Descriptive dialogue and events in the book give us an excellent portrayal of the rancho lifestyle and customs. It not only depicts some of the effects of the mission period, but also the events leading up to the U.S. take-over of the Californian territory from Mexico. Carlota displays strength, courage, and wisdom as she leads her family to new ways in a new land. Every fourth grader will have a better understanding of their social studies curriculum through the eyes of this charming young lady, Carlota.