The Secret of the Andes

An excellent book describing life in the Andes Mountains much the way it was lived in the time of the Incas. The book blends mythology, history and high mountain living with brief glimpses to the coming of modern day existence. The feeling of the book is one of simiplicity, peace and acceptance of a unique way of life.

The Secret of the Andes is a very moving story of a modern Inca boy with a very esoteric connection to his Inca past. I raise llamas, and have a great interest in these wonderful creatures and the people who saved them from extinction during the Spanish 'conquest'. I couldn't put this book down.It uses high language and a lot of esoteric imagery. I read it to my seventh grade students who found it much more interesting when I played "Sukay" music of the Andes, and passed around photos of native Quechua people and llamas.The story was very believable. It helps to have some knowledge of Inca beliefs, the history of the Spanish 'conquest' and a knowledge of llamas. If you have this information, the story seem more like history than fiction.

Ann Nolan Clark's perception of places and people, and her respect for other cultures, comes through clearly in this short novel of traditions and changes in Peru. Far ahead of today's push for diversity in school books, the book explores life themes such as the importance of family, traditions, caring for others, respecting elders, etc. Ann's genius is that she sets these themes inside the larger theme of life choices for a young boy, in a different land.I started reading it aloud on a camping trip, the voices of the Peruvian past with its unique scents and sounds filling the tent and delighting all who listened, from the very young to the "oldsters" in the group. It is Ann's rich command of language that sets the tone of the book. It is her knowledge of the People that enriches the story. It is her striving to make the book culturally rich as well as challenging that keeps the reader (or listeners) engaged. I wish we had more books like this one in our school and home libraries.I read a statement by Mrs. Clark once, to the effect that she always included words below and above the intended reader's level, so they would s-t-r-e-t-c-h their abilities and grow as a reader. I first read the book as a 4th grader years ago and it was a delight to revisit it. I would think that anyone at a 4th grade level could sound out the unfamiliar words, as they follow the usual rules of phonetics.By the way, I read it aloud to my 6-7-8 combination reading class last year for listening comprehension lessons, and they couldn't wait for the next part of the story!

This gentle, methodical book tells the story of the Incas from the native point of view. Cusi, a young Indian boy lives high in the mountain valley with Chuto, the old Indian. Isolated for as long as he can remember, Cusi grows weary of tending the llama flock, and begins to ask Chuto where he came from. Filled with mystery and eloquence, this book is a depiction of a lost civilization that yearns to live on. Surrounded by modernization, the hidden valley claims a culture and the devotion of two extraordinary human beings. This book will not be appreciated by every reader, but for those who can listen, it is a true hidden treasure, lost in decades since it's award winning recognition in 1963.

The book is cool because they wore gold ear plugs and how good the book is detailed. Cuzi was one of the main charictors.