Wednesday, October 22, 2008

The Walls of Cartagena by Julia Durango

Illustrator: Tom Pohrt
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN (library bind): 978-1-4169-4102-6
Price: $15.99 #pages: 152 Call number: FIC DUR

This historical fiction provides a fascinating glimpse into the 17th century slave trade activities by the Spaniards in Cartagena, Colombia, South America. It is based on the true lives of the Jesuit priest Pedro Claver, his interpreters and benefactress.
A dangerous adventure follows Calepino, a thirteen year old African slave boy who speaks eleven languages and his work as an interpreter for Claver and as an aide to a doctor in a leper colony. Although Calepino would rather stay behind the castle walls and read Cervantes all day, his work helping the doctor leads him to betraying the ones he trusts and helping slaves escape.

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