 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Maldonado Miracle
- By Theodore Taylor
- Genre: Adventure
Common Sense Media says
Mexican boy migrates to U.S alone. Intense and gripping.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this coming-of-age story is about a boy separated from his father -- and having
to make complicated moral decisions as he migrates from Mexico to America. Readers will appreciate the author's take on the difficult situation
faced by immigrants, and the tough decisions families have to make. José may be a bit two-dimensional, but he is a likable and noble hero. Some of the content, especially the potential molester, may be a bit intense for young tweens.
What's the story?
José's mother is dead, and his father left him alone four months ago to find migrant work in the US. Finally summoned to join his father, José enters the country illegally, only to find that his father is not where they were supposed to meet. Hiding in a church, he unknowingly drips some blood on a statue of Christ, which is seen by the impoverished townspeople as a miracle. Now José is caught between his fear of God and his fear of endangering himself and his father.
Is it any good?
Award-winning author Theodore Taylor is perhaps best known for The Cay, a rich and complex novel during which the main character grows and changes dramatically. The Maldonado Miracle is considerably simpler, a straightforward, though fairly gripping, story without much subtlety or character development.
The story is interesting and at times exciting, and José is a likable and noble hero. But from start to finish he is an upright, if justifiably fearful, boy who does his best in a bad situation, a two-dimensional character. The author does attempt to have him gain more confidence at the end, but it seems to come from nowhere. When it was first published in 1973 the allusions about pedophilia may have gone over children's heads, but they are unlikely to now, which makes the book a better choice for kids 12 and up.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about immigration stories. How does José's story compare to other movies or books you know about kids coming to America?
This story is written by the same author who wrote the classic The Cay, which is an adventure story with a strong anti-racism message. Families may want to compare and contrast that book with this one. Do you see anything similar in the books' themes?
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| Author: | Theodore Taylor |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Publisher: | Harcourt Brace |
| Publication date: | August 27, 2003 |
| Number of pages: | 167 |
| Hardcover price: | $17.00 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
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