In the Shadow of the Alamo [Hardcover]

Sherry Garland (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Great Episodes

Fifteen-year-old Lorenzo Bonifacio never intended to be a soldier. But when the soldados raid his tiny Mexican village, Lorenzo finds himself forced to join General Santa Anna's army . . . all because of the pesky goatherd Catalina and the haughty Esteban Equivel, son of the wealthiest landowner in the region.
Taken under wing by the kind Sergeant Ildefonso, Lorenzo and Esteban endure boredom, exhaustion, and hunger as the army makes its way across Mexico to San Antonio de Bexar, where rebellious norte-americanos have barricaded themselves inside an old mission called El Alamo. Neither boy can imagine what lies at the end of the march--defeat, death, glory?--and neither can accept the price paid during the fight for Texas.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Although Lorenzo Bonifacio is only 15, he is conscripted into the Mexican army for 10 years. At first, he and Esteban Esquivel, the 17-year-old son of the wealthiest landowner in the region, have nothing to do with one another, but in the end they become friends. Life in the army is vividly described, and the bloody battle scenes are realistically drawn. Hardships such as the lack of food, arbitrary justice, and the total loss of personal rights are part and parcel of this military experience. The conscripts are given outdated weapons and are not trained for battle as they are considered mere "cannon fodder." The women and children who followed the men, including Lorenzo's aunt and two younger sisters, suffer the same hardships, and many do not survive the arduous trip on foot to Texas. Santa Anna is portrayed as cruel and self-centered, desiring personal glory at all costs. Enduring physical hardships and personal tragedies, Lorenzo is transformed from a simple farmer to a soldier, and from a child to a man. Told from his perspective, the story provides a different point of view on a well-known historical event. Readers will sympathize with both the Mexican soldiers and with the rebels. A book that captures and holds young people's attention.

Lana Miles, Duchesne Academy, Houston, TX

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-8. Fifteen-year-old Lorenzo Bonifacio, who has never left his Mexican village, is conscripted into the Mexican army and soon finds himself with troops headed to retake the Alamo from North American settlers. The journey is hard, but Lorenzo finds solace in unexpected friendships and belief in the cause. However, when the battle finally occurs, his beliefs are challenged and his perspective is broadened as he comes to realize that triumph and tragedy and heroes and villains aren't as easily defined as he thought. In this entry in the Great Episodes series, Garland offers an alternate viewpoint of a well-known American historical event through an intimate, lively narrative that engages and informs. Along the way, she interweaves details about Mexican culture and the daily life of the times, some Spanish terms, and historical background. Lorenzo's character growth and development are realistically and sympathetically portrayed in a story that illuminates the impact of war across class and cultural boundaries. Some sources are noted at the back, and a glossary is appended. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 282 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; First Edition edition (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152017445
• ISBN-13: 978-0152017446
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,166,284 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sherry Garland is the award-winning author of twenty-eight books for children, teenagers and adults. Several of her books focus on the Vietnamese culture due to her close friendships with Vietnamese families. As a fifth generation Texan, she also sets many of her books in the Lone Star State. She especially likes to write historical works. For more information, visit her website: www.sherrygarland.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alamo Aveneged!, January 4, 2002

By 

Roger Kennedy (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Shadow of the Alamo (Hardcover)

This is a stirring story of a young Mexican peasant who is press-ganged into Santa Anna's army, as it prepares to march North into Texas to fight the Texan rebels at the Alamo and San Jacinto. While historical fiction, this is still a worthy book.
The author has paid close attention to historical details, and has correctly listed Mexican generals, regiments and battalions. While intended for young adults, older readers will find this an entertaining read as well. The story brings light upon the suffering and privations that the Mexican army endured in order to fight this campaign. Seen in this perspective, the legendary Texas heros of the Alamo seem mere mortals, and our sympathies go out instead to the poor, bedraggled, Mexican soldiers. While not one of the great armies of the day, the Mexican military suffered from chronic shortages, poor quality officers, and corruption. Not the least of its problems was in the form of Santa Anna himself, who lead irrationally, often marching his soldiers into the ground with little concern for their well-being. The Presidente's arrogance and vanity only compounded these problems.
At the Alamo 600 Mexican solders were sacreficed to his vanity. Had the great Napolean of the West waited a few more days for his siege guns to arrive, he could have reduced the Alamo Mission to ruins, and achieved his victory at far less cost. This book points out the dismay the Mexican soldiers felt from his arrogant and detached leadership. The humilating defeat at San Jacinto would end the forlorn Texas campaign and set the stage for the far greater conflict with the United States nearly a decade later, where Santa Anna would again lead his country to defeat.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In the Shadow of The Alamo, November 27, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: In the Shadow of the Alamo (Hardcover)

The book In the Shadow of The Alamo by Sherry Garland was quite interesting. The book gave people a different perspective, it told the story in the Mexican point of view. The story was told by a 15-year-old boy named Lorenzo Bonifacio. He was a normal boy that had no wishes to be in General Santa Anna's army, but nonetheless was drafted. He cursed at the rich Esteban Esquivel for putting him there. Esteban lied to the military drafter saying that Lorenzo was in fact 16 years old, just the right age to join the army. Bonifacio pleaded to the military officials saying that he was only 15 and wasn't ready to join. The officials said nothing and continued drafting. Lorenzo knew that nothing could be done so he decided not to make any trouble, and especially not to desert, because deserters would get whipped on the back or worse even killed. Lorenzo's aunt and little sisters insisted on coming with him to carry his bags and other belongings. All the recruits were to march a long way to a city where they would receive training for war. After many days of long and tiring marching, the group finally arrived at the city. Exhausted the group set up camp and soon were around fires cooking their food. Lorenzo brought with him a small wooden flute and started to play a tune. All the people that heard the tune turned their head and listened to his beautiful music. When General Santa Anna heard the music he ordered Lorenzo to be his personal musician. After the recruits were trained they were issued guns and soon left camp. Lorenzo's troop was to head for the Alamo and kill all the rebels, (the Americans). It was a long and hard journey trough the woods and soon it became winter. Many people died because of the severe cold including both of Lorenzo's sisters. The general forced his men to keep moving and before long they had arrived at the Alamo. Lorenzo's troops were forced to charge without any cover from artillery, which arrived later. Many men died at once but the Mexicans won because of their numbers. Lorenzo's "friend" Esteban had a mortal wound and died a couple days later. Even though they won the battle Lorenzo felt like they had lost it. In the many days to come Lorenzo found that the Americans had regrouped. The Americans attacked them and killed everyone and even captured General Santa Anna. This was just a brief summary of the story In the Shadow of The Alamo and you should read it to find out more!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shows the "other side" of the Texas Revolution., August 18, 2001

By 

Rebecca Herman (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Shadow of the Alamo (Hardcover)

Nine years ago, Lorenzo's father was conscripted into the Mexican army, leaving behind Lorenzo, his little sister, and their pregnant mother. They never heard from him again. The year is now 1835, and life in their small village has not gotten any easier. Since his mother's death four years ago, Lorenzo has had to care for his two younger sisters. He believes the family is cursed and never expects to see his father again. While working in the fields, Lorenzo and some of the other village men are conscripted into the army to fight in the Texas campaign. Lorenzo, at fifteen, is too young to be conscripted, but the local landowner's son lies and says he meets the age requirement. Lorenzo is forced into a war he doesn't believe in, as his aunt and sisters join the other camp followers. Tragedy after tragedy follow on the long winter march to Texas. Their ultimate destination: the Alamo. The author has written a wonderful historical novel showing the "other side" in the Texas Revolution. The Mexican soldiers are portrayed as ordinary men who were forced to join the army and had no choice but to obey their superiors. I highly reccomend this book.