Lotería
Kids say
Based on 1 review
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Lotería is a magical adventure by Karla Arenas Valenti tha follows Clara, an 11-year-old girl living in Oaxaca. Though her family owns a restaurant, Clara feels as if she's not talented enough when it comes to cooking (or singing, or any of the other talents her many cousins have), and she focuses her energy on her drawing skills. Clara struggles with feeling enough and must overcome her fears as the story progresses. The book tackles some very dark themes. There's an ongoing philosophical debate between Life and Death, both of which have a physical form, throughout the novel that may prove challenging to younger readers. Life and Death play a dangerous game of Lotería, and every card they play reveals a new twist in Clara's life. Among those twists is the death of a beloved adult family member and a kid relative's disappearance. Although the beginning of the novel is a wonderful tale of adventure, later on the plot contains mentions of blood, dark mythical creatures, and death.
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What's the Story?
LOTERIA is the story of 11-year-old Clara, whose tranquil life in Oaxaca City, Mexico, changes dramatically one sunny day. Not too far from her home, Life and Death are playing a game with serious consequences. The game they've chosen is Lotería, a traditional Mexican game of chance, very similar to bingo. Each card they play brings Clara closer to a mythical world called Las Pozas. There, Clara will have to summon all her strength and courage to survive fantastic creatures, defeat the evil man in red, and find her little cousin Esteban. Will Clara's bravery prove stronger than Life and Death's dangerous game?
Is It Any Good?
In this unforgettable story, the beauty and mystery of Mexican lore is put in the spotlight. Clara's strength and care for others shines through the pages of the story, making Lotería a heartwarming read that is sure to stay with the readers long after they've turned the last page. Together with Clara, the reader will experience a wild ride through enchanted lands, solve unknown riddles and befriend mythical creatures, all against the backdrop of a rich Mexican landscape. Clearly inspired by magical realism, this book will surely spark a lively debate about the different ways one can tell a story and the effect stories themselves have on our world.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Clara's feelings of falling short and not being good enough in Lotería. Does being good at something only require talent? Why is perseverance important?
Throughout the book, Clara finds hope in the darkest of times. How can we do the same?
Clara wishes she was a better cook, but her cooking skills are not as good as her mother's yet. Is there anything you wish you could do but feel like giving it up because you see no progress? Discuss it with your family and friends.
Book Details
- Author: Karla Arenas Valenti
- Illustrator: Dana Sanmar
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Arts and Dance, Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: September 7, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 320
- Available on: Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: January 7, 2022
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