The Santero's Miracle: A Bilingual Story (Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature. Commended (Awards)) [Hardcover]

Amy Córdova (Illustrator), Enrique R. Lamadrid (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 2004 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature. Commended (Awards)

In this bilingual story of faith, Don Jacobo has a dream that, in the end, is a reminder that miracles do happen. Jacobo is teaching his visiting grandson Andrés how to become a santero. Christmas is coming, snow is falling in the village, and the two are working on a carving of San Isidro, the patron saint of farmers.

The half-finished carving stands in the living room beside the two oxen and the angel that don Jacobo carved earlier in the month. The snow-covered mountains are beautiful, but the road to the village is impassable. Andrés's parents will not be able to get to the house for the holiday, and Jacobo's neighbor Leopoldo is desperately ill but cannot get to the hospital.

Then comes Jacobo's dream; San Isidro is plowing with the two oxen and the angel is helping. "But we don't plow 'til April," don Jacobo muses upon awakening. "What does it mean?" The night had been bitterly cold and don Jacobo must bundle up to go to the barn to feed his cows and chickens. As he steps outside, he can hardly believe his eyes. The snow-packed road is clear.

Rudolfo Anaya's story of the power of faith, hope, and love will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4–Andrés's grandpa Don Jacobo is a master santero, a carver of wooden saints, and the 10-year-old helps him make a statue of San Isidro during his holiday break from school. When a New Mexico snowstorm blocks the roads, a miracle involving the wooden saint allows an ambulance to get to a sick neighbor and the boy's parents and sister to arrive in time for Christmas. The story is presented in both English and Spanish, and the Spanish terms sprinkled throughout the English text are explained in a glossary. The plot is a bit thin, but the creative Don Jacobo is a wonderful character and his relationship with Andrés is strong and warm, a good match to the gorgeous paintings in the blue, turquoise, and red clay colors of the Southwest.–E. M.
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Review

"Anaya's gift as a masterful storyteller is evident. ...illustrator Amy Cordova has skillfully portrayed the spirit of the characters." -- Multicultural Review, Summer 2005

"The bright color illustrations practically leap off the page in this joyful and uplifting story meant to be shared." -- The Children's Bookwatch, February 2005

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: University of New Mexico Press; Bilingual edition (December 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826328474
• ISBN-13: 978-0826328472
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #787,607 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #89 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Multiculturalism

More About the Author

Rudolfo Anaya is professor emeritus of English at the University of New Mexico. He was one of the first winners of the Premio Quinto Sol National Chicano literary award. Winner of the PEN Center USA West Award for Fiction for his novel Alburquerque, he is best-loved for his classic bestseller Bless Me, Ultima. His other works include Zia Summer, Rio Grande Fall, Jalamanta, Tortuga, Heart of Aztlan , and The Anaya Reader. He has also written numerous short stories, essays, and children's books, including The Farolitos of Christmas and Maya's Children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Christmas tale about the power of miracles, February 13, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Santero's Miracle: A Bilingual Story (Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature. Commended (Awards)) (Hardcover)

Award-winning author and illustrator team Rudolfo Anaya and Amy Cordova present The Santero's Miracle: A Bilingual Story, an English/Spanish Christmas tale about the power of miracles. Don Jacobo is teaching his visiting grandson Andres how to become a santero; the two of them are working on a carving of San Isidro, the patron saint of farmers. Due to the great snowfall, Andres' parents cannot come home in time for the holiday, and don Jacobo's neighbor, don Leopoldo, is severely ill but cannot reach the hospital. Then don Jacobo dreams of a miracle: San Isidro plowing with two oxen and and an angel helping. The meaning of the dream brings about a reminder of the power of compassion, faith, and love. The bright color illustrations practically leap off the page in this joyful and uplifting story meant to be shared.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Northern New Mexico traditions and culture, December 26, 2007

By 

Cynthia C. Tidwell "Grammy" (Corrales, New Mexico) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Santero's Miracle: A Bilingual Story (Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature. Commended (Awards)) (Hardcover)

The Santero's Miracle is a very sweet story that captures the culture and traditions of Northern New Mexico. The persons who carve saints (santeros) are highly regarded here. Many families have a multi-generational tradition of carving.

This story illustrates the unique culture that developed in the remote mountains of Northern New Mexico. This is a rare place in America.

The illustrations are exquisite. It doesn't matter what religious tradition the reader practices -- this is a story for everyone.

4.0 out of 5 stars Experience the Christmas Miracle, September 9, 2011

By 

White Fang (York, PA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Santero's Miracle: A Bilingual Story (Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature. Commended (Awards)) (Hardcover)

For anyone who still believes in miracles or enjoys reading about them, "The Santero's Miracle" is the book for you. This book is a heart warming tale of Andres who stays with his grandpa - Don Jacobo and his grandma - Dona Sofia during the Christmas vacation. Don Jacobo is a one of the best santeros (wood carver of saints) in New Mexico. He carves a beautiful wooden santero of Saint San Isidro for the Christmas holiday.The closeness of Andres and his grandparents during Christmas is a wonderful portrayal of family life. Andres, his grandparents and his neighbor all experience a personal trial during the Christmas Holiday. A wonderful Christmas miracle occurs. You will want to experience this miracle by reading the book. Because this book centers around saints and Saint San Isidro in particular, it may present a problem for non-Catholics, but all people can enjoy this wonderful story of a miracle. After all, isn't that what Christmas is all about --experiencing a miracle!

"The Santero's Miracle" would make a wonderful Christmas gift book. It is a beautifully illustrated children's book. Almost every page contains a full color illustration. The illustrations are bold and colorful and emphasize each individual's character and personality. This is a bilingual book in both Sapnish and English. Both English and Spanish speaking students will be drawn to this book because they can instantly see the Spanish version of each English paragraph. There is also a brief dictionary at the end of the book which gives the meaning of various Spanish words and phrases found in the English text. The publisher made a bad choice of printed font. It is too light and should have been darker and bolder.