March's Libro del Mes: The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind

The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind

by Meg Medina

This month's choice for the Libro del Mes is a little different from most of the ones we have chosen in the past. Instead of a picture book for younger children, we have chosen The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind, a novel for young adults.

It is written by new Latina author, Meg Medina, who recently won the 2012 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award for her book, Tía Isa Wants a Car.  Tía Isa was fun and well written and I enjoyed reading it with my children. But The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind left me engrossed, wanting more from Ms. Medina.

Many of you have asked us to review books for older children, so I am delighted to recommend this one. It is the story of 16-year-old Sonia Ocampo, a young girl from a village in the mountains. Sonia takes a job in the big city trying to escape the responsibilities of serving as the village protector, sent by God, a position she received at birth when she was born during the worst storm Tres Montes had ever seen - and yet not a soul was lost. Over the years, Sonia struggles with the burden of being the village intercessor, listening to the worries and wishes of her neighbors and family, and praying on their behalf because she "has God's ear." She longs for a normal life and the chance for romance with one of her sweet classmates, an orphan who yearns to become a poet. But when one of her classmates is killed despite her prayers, Sonia is faced with the bitter realization that she has no special powers and leaves to find comfort and normalcy far away. Until misfortune befalls her family and Sonia must return to face her past...and her future.

Medina has a beautiful writing style - intimate and descriptive. I was very moved at the end of the book. There is a hint of magical realism throughout, but it is not overwhelming, rather just enough to make the reader wonder about the possibility. In addition, Medina tackles a topic that exists in many countries around the world today which is the migration of young generations away from their small towns to find work in big cities.

This book is definitely for young adults as some of the subject matter is a bit violent (a young boy is robbed and killed in the beginning), but it is not prevalent throughout the book.

Teachers and parents, this book is great for studies about Latin American culture, milagros, class differences, parental expectations, responsibility, and many others. Best suited for young adults.

The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind  is released today, March 13th, and is available in our online store.  Here is the book trailer, if you'd like to take a look...