Lady of Palenque: Flower of Bacal, Mesoamerica, A.D. 749 (The Royal Diaries)
Grade 4-6–ShahnaK'in Yaxchel Pacal, "Princess Green Jay on the Wall," is the daughter of King Hanaab Pacal of Lakamha City (now Palenque). She will become a "xoc," or reader and accountant, to her royal husband, as her mother was before her. Princess Green Jay is betrothed to K'ak Yipyaj Chan K'awil, "King Fire Keeper," in Xukpi (modern Copan). This alliance allows the author to discuss the varying terrains and political situations in Mesoamerica in A.D. 749, as Princess Green Jay and her entourage travel across the Mayan empire to her new home. However, the protagonist's diary entries provide only the briefest look into this culture and history; and many things, such as their intricate dating system, go unexplained. Also, because the characters are called by many names and parts of names, it's difficult to find a specific entry in the glossary, and there are no pronunciation guides.–Lynda S. Poling, Long Beach Public Library, CACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.