Rosa Moreno: Hollywood, California, 1928 (American Diaries)
Grade 4-6-An entertaining story set in Hollywood from 1928 to 1934. Rosa Moreno's father was a Mexican actor until his untimely death, which left the 11-year-old and her mother to take care of themselves. Everything they do seems to revolve around one goal-making the girl a star. Readers learn about Rosa's dancing and elocution lessons, her trips to the beauty shop in hopes of having "Shirley Temple curls," and brushes with real or imagined celebrities. At one of her auditions, she becomes fascinated with the movie director, who happens to be a woman, and she decides that she wants to be a director. Duey portrays Rosa's life vividly and realistically, showing readers that would-be child actors in the 1930s lived a difficult life, especially those with determined mothers who lived their fantasies vicariously through their children. Enjoyable fare for film buffs and fans of historical fiction.Susan Knell, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KSCopyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.