Silver People: Voices from the Panama Canal
Gr 6–9—It is 1906, and the race to build the Panama Canal is wide reaching. There is nothing 14-year-old Mateo desires more than to escape his Cuban home and his abusive, war-ravaged father. Armed only with his courage and lies that provide him passage, he heads to Panama in hopes of finding a future building the canal. What he discovers, however, is perilous work and harsh inequality. This masterfully written novel in verse brings to life every bit of Panama, from the horrible working conditions of the islanders, forced to dig the canal for next-to-nothing wages, to the lush forest and wildlife. Mateo's relationships with Henry, a Jamaican laborer; Anita, a Panamanian herb collector; and Augusto, a Puerto Rican geologist, are elegantly developed and assist in highlighting the extreme segregation and prejudice faced by those building the canal. Each poem is short but powerful, and the characters, landscapes, and quality of life are masterfully portrayed. While turmoil abounds, Mateo, Henry, Anita, and Augusto are all able to find their peace and a future in Panama. This richly developed novel is an excellent addition to any collection. In this compelling story, Engle paints a picture of an often-looked era and highlights the struggles of the people and the arrogance of the Americans.—Ellen Norton, White Oak Library District, Crest Hill, IL