The only cloud on their horizon is that Carmelita, Pedro, and Pablo are about to start school at the convent, with the usual apprehensions about fierce nuns, mean classmates, and so on. From this point, the story takes off in several delightful directions. Carmelita and her best friend Mary, a foundling being raised by the nuns, must thwart the campaign against Pamela that is initiated by Sister Alice and her favorite student, the spiteful Brindle Mace. That would be a terrible shame. In fact, the book is a pleasurable fiesta, filled with unusual plot twists and situations.
Some writers have the gift of causing readers to fall in love with their characters.
Anna Hood is one of them. Youth Historical, Colonial Juarez, Mormon History, Pancho Villa, Family life early 1900's A small, tight-knit community of people whose religion differs from that of their neighbors is harassed and threatened by armed men and warned to vacate homes and businesses. They bury their valuables, including Grandmother's precious harpsichord, and then, in the middle of the night, they pack a few belongings and hasten to a waiting train headed for the international border. A child tries not to cry as she realizes her favorite doll has been left behind. No, this is not Germany, this is Mexico, and the refugees are not Jews but Mormons, forced out by the soldiers of Pancho Villa in a little-known historic episode.