MIDDLE GRADE SPECULATIVE FICTION : Mananaland by Pam Munoz Ryan
ABOUT THE BOOK
Maximiliano Córdoba
loves stories, especially the legend Buelo tells him about a mythical
gatekeeper who can guide brave travelers on a journey into tomorrow.
If Max could see tomorrow, he would know if he'd make Santa Maria's celebrated fútbol team and whether he'd ever meet his mother, who disappeared when he was a baby. He longs to know more about her, but Papá won't talk. So when Max uncovers a buried family secret--involving an underground network of guardians who lead people fleeing a neighboring country to safety--he decides to seek answers on his own.
With a treasured compass, a mysterious stone rubbing, and Buelo's legend as his only guides, he sets out on a perilous quest to discover if he is true of heart and what the future holds.
If Max could see tomorrow, he would know if he'd make Santa Maria's celebrated fútbol team and whether he'd ever meet his mother, who disappeared when he was a baby. He longs to know more about her, but Papá won't talk. So when Max uncovers a buried family secret--involving an underground network of guardians who lead people fleeing a neighboring country to safety--he decides to seek answers on his own.
With a treasured compass, a mysterious stone rubbing, and Buelo's legend as his only guides, he sets out on a perilous quest to discover if he is true of heart and what the future holds.
REVIEW
Max loves fútbol almost as much as he does the stories he shares with his Buelo. He especially likes stories about the tower and ruined palace on the mountain above his home, but his Papá won't let him go up there. His Papá continually reminds him he shouldn't waste his time on dreams and stories when hard work is what is needed. And his family won't tell him much about his mother who left when he was a baby. When Max has to stay home and work with his bridge-builder father instead of attending a free fútbol clinic with his friends, he uses his free time to investigate the ruins and his families connection to them. What he learns sends him on a journey he never expected where he learns things that change his life forever.
Ryan has created a touching story of growing up and learning to deal with some of the hard truths of life. As Max learns more about his family, he learns more about himself as well. I found it interesting that Ryan used a made-up country as the setting for her story, but in the end it made sense. Issues related to undocumented immigration and refugees can be sensitive issues for some readers. Making the country's involved imaginary makes it a tad easy to address. Ryan does a great job of sharing Max's and his family's story while also sharing the experiences of the refugees. A empathy-inducing story about learning to see beyond rumors to the real heart of a story and the importance of seeing people as people.
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