The Queen of Water by Laura Resau, Maria Viriginia Farinango

What made the most impact on me while I was reading this book was the knowledge that this novel is based on a true story.  As I've heard it said:  Sometimes truth can be stranger than fiction.

Random House Teen Books sent me a copy of this book for review (thank you).  It has been published, so you can find a copy at local bookstore now.

Virginia was born in a small Andean village in Ecuador and lived in an earthen-walled dwelling.  Her family ate potatoes for the most part; meat was only eaten on special occasions.  Virginia never got the big potato either, it always went to a special visitor or her Papito.  She helps in the fields and sees no life ahead of her except more of the same.  Then everything changes...

Her parents send her away with a more wealthy family who assured them all sorts of riches and treats would be given to her in her home.  They just wanted her to take care of their child.  What they really wanted was a slave and she got none of the promised items.

This is the true fictionalized story of Ms. Farinango's life.  You really feel her pain from physical abuse to the emotional trauma about who she is, where she is now, and who she would like to be.  What she's left behind is still part of her, but does she want to admit her past?

I found this to be a very interesting insight into practices in other countries.  I already knew life was different on the other side of the pond; my grandparents were immigrants.  My grandmother was basically given to my grandfather as a bride because he offered goods for her.  Poor people do many things just for survival.  This is the story of a young girl who grew into a beautiful woman and overcame the challenges she faced.  Think you'd be so brave?  

Why not let your young adult read this book and talk about the things that happen in it?  I think it would be eye-opening for both of you.

Happy reading. 

The Jade Notebook by Laura Resau

Zeeta has the flightiest mother around.  She's a nomad, wandering from country to country and place to place looking for happiness and finding it.  Then looking all over again...

Delacourte Books for Young Readers shared an ebook of this story with me.  This is the third and last book in the Notebook series and I found it the most interesting of the series.  Zeeta has grown older and the story has more substance to it now.  It will be published on Valentine's Day, so you might want to add it to your wish list now.

Zeeta wants to stay permanently where she is now.  They are in a small ocean front town in Mexico, where the leatherneck turtles bury their eggs on the beach.  It's her mysterious father's hometown and she keeps hoping she might find him.

Her boyfriend, Wendell, is visiting and plans to go to college later, when Zeeta can come along, too.  Layla is still an airhead with quotes from Rumi, but she's found her element here, too.  She manages the cabins and has yoga on the beach in the mornings.  They do meals, have sing alongs, and meet all sorts of interesting transient people.  Zeeta is hoping her mother will let other folks do the travelling and she will stay in one place, but who knows?

The author has several twists and turns in this story that were surprising and added a good touch to her storytelling.  It's a good mystery, a lively adventure, and the words flow well.  I enjoyed this story and this series.  If you have a young one who has read the other stories, I know they will want to read this conclusion to the series.  It's too good to pass up.

Happy reading.

The Ruby Notebook by Laura Resau

Does she really love Wendell, or was that just the magic of Ecuador?

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers sent me a copy of this book for review. This book will be on sale this week at your local bookstore. Ms. Resau has an earlier book in this series, The Indigo Notebook.

Zeeta and her mother have been travellers all Zeeta's life. Her mother is a free-thinker and a bit of a butterly by nature. Zeeta wants to know about her father, but her mother has nothing to offer her. He was just part of a magical moment on a moonlit night by the sea.

Zeeta's other challenge is that she hates waiting for Wendell to join them in France for the summer. She gets caught up with a group of street performers, begins to get letters from her mysterious father, and finds herself interested in Jean-Claude. Is Wendell the one for her or ???

With a touch of mystery and magic and a mix of young love, this book catches your attention and the story flows well.

With the way the story ends, I believe there be another book coming out in the future. I'll watch for it. I want to see what happens next in Zeeta's life.

It's for ages 10 and up, but it's a good adult read, too. Get yourself a copy and check it out for yourself.