Flame of Peace: A Tale of the Aztecs [Library Binding]

Deborah Nourse Lattimore (Author)

Book Description

To prevent the outbreak of war, a young Aztec boy must outwit nine evil lords of the night to obtain the flame of peace from Lord Morning Star.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In an ancient Aztec city, the death of a peace negotiator prompts his son, Two Flint, to set out on a journey. He hopes that Lord Morning Star will entrust him with the New Fire of peace. But nine evil demons block his path; Two Flint wisely sizes up his adversaries and uses the frailties of one demon to defeat another. Lattimore's compelling tale is based on the real Alliance of Cities, which marked the beginning of many years of peace. This well-crafted story is a welcome vehicle through which much can be learned about the most advanced ancient civilization in the Western Hemisphere. Lattimore's vibrant full-color art is a triumphant mixture of symbolism and dramatic storytelling. Figures in the style of drawings from the period are authentically executed in sparkling colors on a mottled background, reminiscent of animal skin or bark paper. Even the end papers of this beautiful book enhance the visual content by providing a key to the objects and symbols within. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4 Intellectually and graphically brilliant illustrations complement the tale of Two Flint, an Aztec boy who seeks new fire for the temples of Tenochtitlan. War among cities is imminent unless temple fires are renewed with flame from Lord Morning Star, but to reach Lord Morning Star, Two Flint must outwit nine evil demons. Two Flint succeeds, and when he brings Lord Morning Star's gift of new fire back to Tenochtitlan, warring warriors break their spears and become friends. Done in the Aztec mode of pictorial representation found today in remnant Aztec paintings and sculpture, the intensely colorful illustrations stun the eye and demand interpretation. A glossary of pictorial details is printed on the endpapers, and matching these with similar details in the illustrations is an enlightening and satisfying experience that enlarges understanding and appreciation of the Aztec world. A few of these details appear in Barbara Cooney's western-tradition illustrations for John Bierhorst's translation of the Aztec tale Spirit Child: a Story of the Nativity (Morrow, 1984), but these two outstanding picture books are wholly different in concept and execution. George Gleason, Department of English, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Library Binding
• Publisher: Bt Bound (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0613033345
• ISBN-13: 978-0613033343
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,609,926 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TRUE TO THE AZTEC CULTURE?, April 13, 2007

By 

Texas Book Lover "K" (TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Flame of Peace: A Tale of the Aztecs (Paperback)

[Note: While the message of peace is an appropriate one for youngsters - recommended for ages 5 to 8 - I'm not convinced it is appropriate to the Aztec culture. However, it is a nice story and the illustrations will easily carry the text.] From the cover: Two Flint knows no better place on earth than his beautiful Aztec city. But one day a hostile army appears outside the city walls. When Two Flint's father goes to talk peace with the enemy, he never returns. Only when the magic flame from Lord Morning Star's sacred light burns in the great Aztec temple can men live as brothers. But the journey to the great god's home is fraught with terrors. And the long road beyond the great city walls is ruled by nine evil demons of darkness. Two Flint knows he must be brave. But can he succeed where so many others have failed?