Voices of the Alamo [Hardcover]

Sherry Garland (Author), Ronald Himler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up

Hear the dramatic story of the Alamo told by the people who shaped the history of the land, from a Spanish padre who helped build the mission in the 1700s to a young boy who visits the modern-day Alamo museum. Meticulously researched and masterfully written, VOICES OF THE ALAMO is a ground-breaking and provocative book.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-A fresh approach to the topic in a picture-book format. Garland speaks in the voices of 16 characters whose lives lead up to the present day. She begins with an Indian woman of 1500 gathering nuts beside a river (presumably the San Antonio). The author then gives voice to anonymous armored Spaniards and cowled priests, Tejanos and Texans, and finally to individuals such as General Santa Anna and David Crockett. Within this device, she retells the story of the fall of the Alamo, General Sam Houston's victory at San Jacinto, and Clara Driscoll's rescue of the Alamo from demolition in 1904. Garland's point of view is traditionally partisan. The villain, Santa Anna, is shown as having coerced his own soldiers, as well as having trampled on the rights of honest colonists. Himler's outstanding double-page watercolors depict characters, sweeping landscapes, battle scenes, and the Alamo throughout its history and fill the pages with bright colors. The book includes a lengthy historical note that provides background information and a glossary of Spanish words and phrases. The book, which will supplement traditional nonfiction accounts of the events, ends with an appeal to readers to "remember."-Ruth Semrau, Upshur County Public Library, Gilmer, TX
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

For most Americans the history of the Alamo begins and ends on the same day: March 6, 1836, the date of Santa Ana's famous defeat of the renegade forces that had occupied the former mission. However, the story actually begins centuries earlier and continues to this day, as Garland dramatizes in this picture book for older readers by giving voices to 16 individuals who were involved in various ways with the unfolding story. Many, like a nameless Payaya Indian maiden in the year 1500, are imagined, but some, such as David Crockett, William Baret Travis, and Santa Ana himself, are historical figures. Each personality recounts a different aspect of the Alamo's evolution from mission to de facto fort to monument. The final voice belongs to a contemporary boy who records his impressions of seeing the Alamo for the first time. An appended two-page historical note provides essential context, and Ronald Himler's handsome, double-page pictures give faces to the voices. Michael Cart

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic; 1st edition (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590988336
• ISBN-13: 978-0590988339
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,002,019 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

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Historical Account, April 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Voices of the Alamo (Hardcover)

Voices of the Alamo is a book that reaches far back to tell the story of the Alamo. The book begins in 1500 telling the story of the early indians. It progresses up to and through the Alamo battle finishing with what the Alamo is today. The pictures are good, and the events around the time of the battle are highlighted. Main figures such as Antonio Lopex de Santa Anna, Davey Crockett, and William Barret Travis are shown on seperate pages with their accounts of the Alamo. Overall a good historical book for children.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The story of the Alamo from the 1500's to the modern day, May 18, 2004

By 

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

This review is from: Voices of The Alamo (Voices of History) (Hardcover)

Voices Of The Alamo by Sherry Garland is an impressive historical picture book that presents the story of the Alamo from the 1500's to the modern day through the eyes of many different people, including those who are Spanish, Tejano, Texian, Mexican, and American. Each two-page spread features a sweeping full-color painting by Ronald Himler, and a brief poem from the perspective of the person being described. Voices Of The Alamo is a kind of picture book tour through history and showcases an important legacy for all ages.

5.0 out of 5 stars Timelines and History, June 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Voices of the Alamo (Hardcover)

Being a native Texan, this book brought back many memories. As a teacher, this book brought forth many teachable opportunities such as timelines and biographical starting points. As this book was shared with fellow teachers, their were many tears, moments of silence, and time spent in awe of this book. This book has the ability to greatly affect feelings from almost anyone who reads it. I would strongly recommend this book!